Thread: what should a new writer know

basically I'm not going to hide it. this is my first tango when it comes to writing a novel. I've gotten two chapters and part of a page writen. so what should I know that will greatly help me. basically I've been making these characters since I was a kid and I know more about them then anyone else does. also I got one question how do you stay on task. so any info would be apreciate it.

You'll find the whole range of general advice and experiences (including how to stay on task) right here in this section (Writing Discussion) - wading through the topics and figuring out which bits work for you is something you can do at your own pace.

Advice about particular writings or forms of writing can also be found in their own areas (Poetry, Lyrics, Scripts, etc).

Writing exercises or practice can be found in the Challenges.

thank you you have a good isea of this place. thanx!!!

Somebody wrote this recently, on this site, though I forget which thread or which part of the forum: the new writer should not begin with a novel, but should learn the craft by writing short stories, or flash fiction, to learn to how to be economic with words. Imagine deciding to start exercising, and the first thing you do is run a marathon.

I would second this advice.

I remembered. It was an interview with Eggo, in the Catfish Soup section.

Good luck.

There's also the Hints and Tips sub-forum here in Writing Discussion. You can check the place out if you wish.

Originally Posted by Bilston Blue

Somebody wrote this recently, on this site, though I forget which thread or which part of the forum: the new writer should not begin with a novel, but should learn the craft by writing short stories, or flash fiction, to learn to how to be economic with words. Imagine deciding to start exercising, and the first thing you do is run a marathon.

I would second this advice.

I remembered. It was an interview with Eggo, in the Catfish Soup section.

Good luck.

I started with novels.

I find it difficult to believe that writing short stories will give you an idea how to write novels. They may share similarities but they aren't the same. A novel typically runs at 70,000 and above. A short story rarely ventures above 15,000. That's a wealth of difference. Don't get me wrong, the approach may be remarkably similar but the thing which separates short stories from novels is the dedication required to finish them.

If you want to start writing novels, Kunox, the best way to learn is to read good novels. Usually this would involve reading authors who write in the genre you wish to, but that doesn't always have to be. Indeed, reading different genres can give you valuable tips and ideas for your own work.

Good luck.

I think it's about learning the craft in general. Short stories are as good a way as any do it. I tend to agree that writing short stories isn't necessarily the best way to learn to write novels, but it is a fine way to learn to write -- to experiment, to find a style and a voice, create a story arc etc. It's just one path that many have taken to writing a successful novel.

thank you for the advise and especialy that last one.. I've already started on a novel so I'll continue on it though maybe some short stories later. again thanx you guys.

Sam

I've found writing shorts really helpful in preparing me for the novel I've started and put on hold. Short stories helped me truly understand the discipline needed with words, with learning to cut out what doesn't add to the story, learning brevity. Also the structure, that a short story needs a beginning, middle and end, just as a novel does, and though that's something I think I take for granted now, it wasn't always the case. I think, too, speaking personally, writing short stories allowed me to learn to see a project through to the end, and that's something I still find quite daunting when I think of the length of a novel and the time I have to spend on my writing.

I understand the point you're making, but I was suggesting shorts to learn the craft of writing fiction in general, as opposed to the craft of writing novels.

Advice? That implies success. I'm not successful yet, though I've published a few short stories in non-paying, token, and semi-professional markets. Not in a professional market. Not yet.

Like you, the original idea was that I had a novel to write. I wrote it, showed it to people I know, they suggested I shouldn't quit my day job (though in the nicest of terms). So I wrote short stories. They are shorter. You get gratification quicker. I need gratification. I practiced. I learned that this is a marathon, not a sprint. I'm a lot better writer than I was when I started.

You will succeed or you will fail. If you believe in yourself, stick with it.

I agree that writing is writing. Learning the craft through short stories is just as beneficial as writing novels. I look at it like this, though: If you're going to run a marathon, learning how to sprint isn't going to help. The same with writing. You have to know how to pace the novel, and the pacing of short stories and novels is completely different.

Originally Posted by Sam W

I agree that writing is writing.

Writing fiction is different than writing non-fiction, though.

wow we got a very philosofical writing discussion. not. thank you guys for your input but I gpt a couple of questions that may help me decide.

1. try this out for size. basically from what I understand wrighting a novel is basically like writing a bunch of short stories. basicaly I got this info from two sourcess. my dad and my uncle. both published authers. one more recently than the other. they say that youre not just telling one story but most the time switching between three. some ending and getting replaced. so I think to write my hole story I have to write smaller stories. in the univers. that way I'll be working on the over all univers but also I'm still working on my main novel.

A lot of my earlier short stories were background, origins, or side-tales of the major characters in my (future) novel. Four were published, but not in professional markets. My other three stories are unrelated to the others - and you wouldn't realize those are related, either.

About whether short story writing is different than novel writing, I don't have the answers except to relay that almost everyone says they are different. Remember, I'm a prospective writer that has not been successful in his quest. Yet. Sort of like you. "Free advice is worth what you paid for it."

I'm not sure that being philosophical is a good thing - or that you asked anyone to be philosophical.

thats ok.... having to good competing ideas are always good to see what would work and what will not. personaly I like that you two dug into the meat of your experence. since you guys have actually been there and done that. so it lets me work it out for myself. instead of opossing an lock step every body does it this way mantality. so I thank you both and anyone else that adds.