Thoughts of writing a book

Whichever way works for you. I've tried both and I find a bit of each works nicely, though it depends on how you work - what fits me probably won't fit you (and no jokes about me wearing dresses, please!). VERY useful tool if you're a note-taker: StorYbook. It's a free download from Sourceforge (there's a website, of course, at http://storybook.intertec.ch/joomla/). It keeps track of characters, scenes, plot threads and other stuff really simply. It put my time-travel stuff into an order that even I could understand, got me organised and made it really easy to update bits and pieces. It also doesn't need a huge amount of input to set up, which is a bonus when you just want to get on with the writing. Definitely recommended.

I think the most important thing that you need to do, is just sit down and write. There will be time enough for editing and ordering later on :)

Personally I would write an outline and make notes before embarking on a major writing task. I think it is better to make notes because it can help to organise ideas, and to form a smoother plot or story line. Spike mentioned Storybook. You can also have a look at Celtx, yWriter 5,and WriteSparks Lite (to help with getting ideas when you are stuck. I use WriteItNow but it is not freeware. Celtx is free and simple. yWriter 5 is more complex and free. The software was designed by Simon Haynes, a programmer and an established author. He uses his own software to write novels. Visit http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter5.html?yWriter5

It depends on what works for you as your style. For me, I have trouble with openings so I'll put an opening together and go back and edit it once I've written a good portion of the novel so that it fits better, but as long as I have something there I can continue. Some people don't even need a beginning. If they're having issues working on it then they'll skip it and start in the middle of the first action and then go back later when they get an idea and add a beginning. For me, personally, I find that having an outline for where the novel is going (even if I don't have a complete ending) then I find it easier to write and as I write it tends to kind of unfold itself for me until I work out an ending. Or I'll brainstorm until I find something that works. Whatever you do, you just need to find a process that works for you and run with it.

I'd do both. Any ideas that come to you just write them down. Whether it's a scenario, a characters name, a piece of dialogue, they are all ideas that can be used and put together. One ip is to write about what you know. By this I mean don't give your main character the job of a vet if you don't know anything about it at all. If you write about what you know you don't have to waste precious time on research and you will have a sense of realism.

I have been told by some experts that you should write all your ideas down, make an outline to get organized and write and write and rewrite. If you haven't written a single page you have nothing to work with. You can't edit if you haven't written anything. Also rest your written piece for a week or so, then read it over again. Each time you come back to it you will find things to fix.

Well, many first time novels are autobiographical. Because when it comes down to it, our own experiences are what we know best. Also, they can inspire us most, because they are so close to us. You could take an episode of your life, just one, and turn it into a book. You could change names, including place names, so that it's an autobiographical novel, rather than a straight memoir. At some point in the book, you could include notes to the effect that it's an autobiographical novel, and explain the changes you've made. For me, it's always best to be 100% honest with your readership. But whatever you write, you have to feel passionately about it in my view. I'd also say...don't be weighed down by convention; make your book as unorthodox as you wish. Just let your thoughts and words flow. Good luck!

I have a storyline for a book, but I just haven't gotten a chance to really put it onto paper yet. I don't believe that I am a great writer but it would be so nice to have my own book. I might be a novel writer some day.

Although I am not a writer, I feel if an idea came to my head, I would write it down so I do not forget it. This way you have that though to use if you need it in your book. I don't think writing a book is easy but many people do it and do it well.

Very nice thought, keep the track of your thoughts by writing them down and then organize them. I read about the tool that one of the friend suggested to you. In future if I write a book I will also do the same. Taking advise from others is a good option you chose.

I'm currently writing a novel I just reached halfway and it took me more than 2 months I found that the more you focusing yourself to writing, the less idea you get especially the conversation part, the most difficult part Now I take it easy and only write when I got the idea