Advice on writing a novel

[ryuan]

So, if you want to write a serious novel, what kind of preparations you need to make before you even start with chapter one?

 

[TheGrumpiest]

1. Time. Set aside time each day to write, even if you only write two words during that time. Make sure you and your schedule can handle this. If there's a single bit of advice that you take to heart, it's this one. I learned it from reading Stephen King's On Writing.

2. Have beta readers/editors/friends who are willing to give you meaningful feedback. People tend to imagine that creative endeavors are solitary in nature. They're really, really not.

3. Have a computer with a word processing program you're comfortable with. It doesn't need to be fancy or anything. I've got something of a soft spot for TextEdit, myself.

 

[ryuan]

2) is kind of a given, since if I ever write an actual novel for actual money I can't give a complete amateurish work. I just find it awkward to ask someone on the internet since technically that would be an actual job.

For 3) I have notepad++, which I like to use since my fallen days of college.

 

[CptTagon]

I would also suggest working your way up to a novel. Short stories, fanfiction, whatever. Build up your mental muscles so you can handle the major task of actually writing something tens of thousands of words long.

 

[TheGrumpiest]

2) is kind of a given, since if I ever write an actual novel for actual money I can't give a complete amateurish work. I just find it awkward to ask someone on the internet since technically that would be an actual job.

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Yeah, I feel you. IRL friends are probably your best bet there. I'd offer, but I'm already doing the same for two of my friends, so I'm a bit tapped out.

I would also suggest working your way up to a novel. Short stories, fanfiction, whatever. Build up your mental muscles so you can handle the major task of actually writing something tens of thousands of words long.

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Good advice- but as a corollary, don't get so wrapped up in preparing to write a novel or 'training' to write a novel that the novel never actually gets written. I've done that a few times.

 

[Smurfpapa]

Before you actually write, make a bullet list of all the plot points, give your charachters a personality and let them play out various situations according to their charachter. Takes a bit of imagination and gets tougher with more charachters that are there but when you di that the story basically writes itself.

 

[G.A. Kyoki]

All I can say is this; Keep the retcons to the absolute bare minimum if you plan on making a series out it.

 

[Zanderion]

All I can say is this; Keep the retcons to the absolute bare minimum if you plan on making a series out it.

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You can't plan retcon since retcon is what happened when your plan changes.

 

[G.A. Kyoki]

You can't plan retcon since retcon is what happened when your plan changes.

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Yes, that's true but they shouldn't be used a lot or for no reason (Looking at you, Gamesworkshop, MAKE A CONSISTENT GALAXY MAP, DAMN YOU!!!).

I'd also argue that some mistakes can be kept and shouldn't just be retconned. Only retcon if you're near or are already in a corner you can't get out of.

 

[Starfield]

I have only one advice to give: Chill out before you start writing. (More generally do it before doing anything important.)

 

[molemole]

I have only one advice to give: Chill out before you start writing. (More generally do it before doing anything important.)

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I write to chill out. Generally put some music, put up a tab or two of a book I like and write. I can hit 2000 words a day or so that way, unless work really kills my energy. So I guess it isn't universal?

 

[Guardian Box]

I have only one advice to give: Chill out before you start writing. (More generally do it before doing anything important.)

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I need to get really drunk before writing to actually produce something sensible with my wordery. Does that count as chilling out?

 

[ryuan]

How much you can inspire/copy a concept from somewhere else before it becomes blatant plagiarism?

I was thinking on making an original story with a power similar to Library of Heaven's Path cheat but I'm not sure how much I can safely take directly before people starts complaining about stealing ideas.

 

[TheGrumpiest]

How much you can inspire/copy a concept from somewhere else before it becomes blatant plagiarism?

I was thinking on making an original story with a power similar to Library of Heaven's Path cheat but I'm not sure how much I can safely take directly before people starts complaining about stealing ideas.

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Is this a legal thing? Because as long as it's not literally identical, you're probably in the clear as long as the plot, characters, and setting are different- or don't charge money for it.

If it's just about people bitching on the internet, it's not worth worrying over.

 

[ryuan]

I wasn't interested in writing fanfiction for this story, so mostly original content. It would be just the Library Power that would be somewhat similar, in that some kind of super library takes a crap technique and spits out a "perfect" version of it.

 

[TheGrumpiest]

I wasn't interested in writing fanfiction for this story, so mostly original content. It would be just the Library Power that would be somewhat similar, in that some kind of super library takes a crap technique and spits out a "perfect" version of it.

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If you're paranoid, name it something that has nothing to do with Library or Sharingan, slap on some quirky "limitation," and you're covered.