Writing the Great Novel

Nothing that gets you writing is ever stupid. There are several things you can try. From what you say above, if I were you I would look at the short stories you've written and see how many have a common theme or develop the same characters or types of characters over a period of time. You might be able to take these stories and use them as the framework for chapters, changing them to fit the plot/storyline as you go. The key is to get past your "block", and if writing short stories comes easily to you, then use that as your springboard. But remember, simply putting them all together gives you a collection of short stories, not a novel. I know it's a long way off, but you also might try National Novel Writing Month in November. Check out their website at www.nanowrimo.org. I spent 20 years trying to write a novel before November 2005, and I've written 2 since then. Good luck and keep writing.

I can empathize with you. I write for myself and for a living. It's tough to sometimes get past the block. It very encouraging though that you are able to finish a short story. I like your idea of stinging them to together. I play "writing games" when I get stuck or blocked. It helps some. I have an article that talks about one in particular that I use, published at Associated Content. It's called How To Master Writer's Block. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/47900/how_to_master_writers_block.html If that doesn't help, I have some other ideas. I love writing, it's my passion in life. It's great to meet other writers, welcome to myLot.

Maybe you can plot out the major events of your life that you want to write about. Take each event and write it as its own chapter, using story form to highlight that event. Of course the characters will be the same. It would be best to keep the same thought thread in each event. Is your goal to use your life as a way to teach a lesson? Or would there be a common theme woven in each "story"? Or is it a coming of age type of novel? Or is it just to entertain? Knowing what you want to accomplish with your writing will help you know where to go with it.

I too have always wanted to write and many people have said "you should write a book". I guess I'm better at telling short stories than writing them. My writing when I try is childish and immature. When I was young I was told I wrote very good letters but to me my writing lacks cohesion and is difficult to comprehend when i try to form an idea into print. Reading these posts lets me see that i have truly no idea. Lol. So you see you really are doing extraordinarily well. To the fellow looking for a publisher. Think BIG. Get yourself an agent.

looks good as long your stories have no connection with each other how about "a series of faithful exp"

Hmmm... Have you contemplated the possibility that it's note really a "novel" you should be writing? The challenge of the novel format is that we tend to lock ourselves into this idea that we need to write 300 pages of contiguous prose. You can be a great writer, yet not be cut out for that kind of writing. Consider a sort of "autobiographical novel" instead. Maybe it has an all-round story, but it's basically a series of vignettes, strung together. Have you ever read "The Egg and I" by Betty MacDonald? The format is a series of "events" (almost as free-standing stories) tied together by being set in a time period, with the same group of people, in the same town. You can write the individual "bits" and then tie them together with "links" that might be a single paragraph, perhaps a couple of pages. In your case, you like short stories... so can you have the stories revolve around the same basic GROUP of 10, 20 or however many people... in basically/approximately the same location and time? Alternately, work the "timeline" by "framing" older stories as "a memory" one of the characters is having, OR a story THEY are telling (within the broader setting) to another character?

Why not use the title "By Faith Only". I have written several short stories and I have had 3 of them published. I also have thought of writing a book but I always get discouraged because the task seems monumental. However, I think that if I had someone to help plan the book it might go easier. My suggestion to you, Faith is to decide on what you want to write about. Then develop an outline breaking the story down into smaller bits. Then go from there. I once read that you need to plan time for writing each day and make sure you stick to your schedule. I have never been able to do that. I still like to write and have switched to writing poetry. None of it has been published but I like writing in a concise form and poetry writing does that. I also found that it helps me to be more concise when writing prose. Good luck with the book and if I can help you in any other way let me know. I did work as a proofreader for a publishing company for a year, several years ago. May God bless you in your writing and keep me up to date on your progress!

I have always wanted to be a published author. I have written two novels... well, I am in the process of editing the second one and since I have learned so much over the last year or two I know the first one is going to need a major overhaul. I have attended workshops and seminars by published and award winning authors. I have joined a writers group which has been most helpful. I have had an award winning published author meet with me one-on-one to critique my work. There is a lot of work involved, especially when it comes to editing. But the first thing to do is get it out, revise later. I have wanted to write the story of my battle with fibromyalgia. I read one person's book on their life with Chronic Fatigue and found that book impossible to read. Having read your post I realize the best way to go would be to write it as a series of short stories and then weave it into a book. The best thing I can say is be proactive. Nothing will come if you don't just do it. It takes time and hard work. Motivation is key. I just had someone do a mock-up cover of my current work in progress. It is hanging over my desk for inspiration and motivation to get the book finished. Set goals. Good luck!

When I was younger I used to want to write a book as well, about my life. The stupid mistakes I made as well as getting into an abusive relationship and how I was able to get out in just a year...But I would have to go back to school and take some English classes again to make sure that I wrote it correctly. Unfortunately it's going to remain a dream as I don't have the time any longer to put forth the effort; with helping my Autistic son and all...But I guess, never say never. Could happen..!

wow, very creative talent! you must set a table of your outline then work on planning from schedule of writing by outline. It really help to be organized. Br courageous to fight with the writer's block, it happens to every writer and you just have to decide to overcome such.

You should follow your dreams otherwise you will never know if you would acheive it or not if you never tried to do it in the first place

I completely understand that I've had that same problem myself many times. The way that I got over it was by convincing myself that it will be good and once I got past the first chapter it was easier to write. But if you cannot get past that, a book of short stories does sound good. Stephen King and others have been successful doing that. If you could get your short stories out there and find that they are successful, maybe it would inspire you to write your novel.

Hello I believe everybody who has an urge to express themselves with words. will one day find the best form for it, the right theme. If you are a believer you can pray God for the right theme, nisch,the best place, the right time. I just mean, if God has given you a talent, surely He wants you to use it, like: he has given you legs, then walk. At the right time the theme is there in front of your nose, stay alert and believe this is coming towards you. A friend of mine interpreted a dream I had once. I dreamt of a sweet little child opening its wonderful eyes and looked straight at me. I was then filled with the sweetest feelings. Then something ended this, the child was lead away by a couple, and the child was looking down, went away. I felt a saddening loss. My friend said, well this is your poetry, that you are almost forgetting. When writing this now, I remember that I had actually produced a poem about my situation at that time. That was about me being expected to perform what everybody else does,going to work, being employed, denying me the right to live on my art. I am a sculptor, painter, writer at heart and right out into my fingertips.I am an examined art teacher, but "when I entered the classroom, the pupuls went out". This a picture of it to be short. Now I have more time, to write to people like you at Mylot, seeking company. I have drawn and painted a lot. Now I make potart like this:www.Newartforgardens.com. Material - Slightly painted fibre concrete. I love to make smiling and meditating faces. While I am writing to people here about Faith and trust, answering questions about it I am at least doing something for God. I hope. This is like praying,if I take good care when I write...so I am hopeful, He will show me the freedom I need one day. Someone said to me: Writing (for you) is like breathing. One day you'll breathe through writing, enjoying the right inspiration and clarity, because you have the gift. Can always write about something that concerns spiritual life...or I am a believer in Christ, BECAUSE I am a Bahai. Through it I came to holy Faith and was refreshed. But I just want to say that when I became a believer I wrote poems day and night about my inner experiences. found that all nature was alive with me, that there was the connection again, the one I had as a child. I remember when that connection broke during the teenage. Before I was a believer I wrote about that broken unity that there was once. So... there is a force in the Faith of God. There is only One. Bye for now, I have a tendency to write too much. It is so fun Regards from Laila PS.Here is a good motto found on the wall in an underground café in Franco Spain: O Wanderer, there is no path, the path appears when you start to walk.

It dosen't sound stupid,one thing i know is that in as much as you have make it your heart target,begin to ponder on it everytime ,and make sure that you give yourself like an hour everyday to think on it.I believe that with this new idea will flow in.Try to have quit time on it.it shall be well

Why not short stories...like the reader's Digest of your life. I love reading short stories and reader's digest. SOmetimes your brain is only capable of so much, therefore somethng like that is perfect.

well this happen with me also ..i always want to write a book ..but then soem where i go lost