I want to write a novel! need help?

Question

hi,

i want to start writing a supernatural novel that hopefully if the characters are strong enough can be turned in to a series. however its my first attempt at writing any thing other then poems and short stories of already established characters was wondering if anyone knows of any great websites that could help me out and get me started.

thanks

Answer 1

this first ones good

http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/ar...

http://www.peacecorpswriters.org/pages/d...

and if you want help with names...

http://babynames.com/character_names.php

Answer 2

well from expirence of starting a novel you have to capture a emotion ( i used anger) and just let let it build up till you can write it out on a computer or paper and keep on from there  

Answer 3

Well, I can't give you a good website, but I can give you a few tips.

1. Read a lot.  Primarily the best-selling classics to get a good feel of writing and what works and doesn't work.

2. Write even more than you read.  Only way you're going to get a story that publishers will even consider into turning into a series is to know how to write very well.  And practice really does make perfect...or at least it helps you develop a selling style and characters.  What you write in practice can be about anything; just write.

3. Have the story roughly planned out and know your characters very well.  Know everything about them, down to their favorite color and food.  It helps, 'cause you never know what you're going to put into the story.

Answer 4

It's really not easy and a total different ball game than writing short stories.

Each page has to be interesting and furthering the story and at the end of each chapter must be a 'hook' that makes the reader want to read on and find out what happens next. Good luck with it though and remember don't put anything in that doesn't further the story and don't put anything in that's classed as padding. Make each word count.

Answer 5

I don't know of any good websites to help you get started writing a novel, but I would be up to helping you if you'd like. I wrote a book that I'm still working on getting published, so I could help you out.

Just email me, or something and we can talk if you'd like the help.

Answer 6

That's a coincidence.

I want to paint a picture that will be good enough for me to turn into a sequence. I haven't done anything other than a few sketches of stuff that others have produced (You know, Dali, Gainsborough, Michaelangelo). If you come across a website that would help me I would really appreciate it.

Answer 7

Off of the top of my head I would suggest going to the Science Fiction and Fantasy Association website.  There are web-rings, circles, and classes offered in writing from the basics of outlining your story and character development to fun stuff like links to name generator and world building sites.

   Most community colleges and local libraries also offer writing classes that are helpful in that they give you a framework in which to write, critiques, and the opportunity to focus just on your work, one piece at a time.  

     On-line classes are also available for a price.  You can go to web-rings and find free writing critique groups or start your own.  Character development is a good way to start.  Getting to know your main characters and how they interact with others will help you formulate a story line and ideas.

     The sfwa provides links to published writers in the genre you like and most of them post chapters and works in progress.  Authors also have e-mail addresses where you can leave questions, if you choose mid-level to newbies you'll probably get a personalized answer back in record time.

     The world building link helps you to understand how other authors approached character and story development.  Also using links to the paranormal sites is cool for developing powers and determining if you're going with the ghosty thing or robot futuristic thing or fantasy thing.  It gives you plenty of history and details about all areas of mythology and fantasy.

And in defense of your using other characters to create orignial and new story lines is considered 'FAN Fic' and is very common on the internet.  It is a fun way for fans of certain genres of writing to be apart of a world they love so much.  And in creating story lines for television characters is common as well.  Some are picked up as authors when changing a series and tv show into a novel.

Answer 8

Hi there!

Sounds really interesting. Think you'll need to double check with the person who holds copyright on the characters you mention, but after that, then you can do what you like!

A few websites that I use regularly are:

http://journal.neilgaiman.com/ - it's great to read how another author writes! Very inspiring!

Also, http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/ (blog section on home page) for inspiration!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blast/writing/artic... - some top tips for writing.

I think you can get a feel for how to write (and how not to write) by reading lots, so I say go onto some of the websites with fiction on them, read a lot, and take notes.  http://www.fanfiction.net, http://www.pulp.net or http://www.abctales.com are all good places to start.

Once you have written the story, then you can get advice about publishing here: http://fictionwriting.about.com/od/thebu...

A good character name website that I always use is http://www.behindthename.com, which lets you search by country of origin, and meaning, as well as gender and popularity.

Good luck and best wishes!