Thread: HOW do I start?

Yes, the hardest part of every writing piece. No, I am not talking about when you are in the middle of writing Chapter 1, and you don't know what to say. No no. I am talking about the VERY beginning. I am writing a fantasy novel with elves, dwarves, dragons, knights, the whole lot. I don't wish to reveal much, for my ideas are mine. But how should I literally sit down and start?

I have several ideas in my head, some of them written down, some of them just thought bubbles. But how do I get the show on the road? I'm talking, literally, how do I plan it out? What materials should I use to plan it out. In a notebook, I have numerous ideas I have written down, and in my head, I have a basic idea for a plot. In another notebook, I have a very large list of fantasy names and whatnot, so naming characters and places are not a problem.

But I am really asking, how do I start plotting it out? Should I get a large piece of paper and start from there? Should I open up a Word document and write a basic summary of what is going to happen, and then plan it out chapter-by-chapter? How? I need to how what exactly to do to get planning my novel. I can write, that is not the problem though. It is the planning. So, how should I start planning my fantasy novel?

Should I open up a Word document and write a basic summary of what is going to happen, and then plan it out chapter-by-chapter?

That is how I do my plans, but nobody can tell you EXACTLY how YOU should plan. Even so, I think you have answered your own question.

I usually start mine by writing a line including one of the characters. It usually just flows after that, until, like you said, in the middle of 'Chapter One' when writer's block hits. I'm sure it doesn't work like that for everyone, but I think you should try it.

He sat, alone, in the middle of the field.

Or, you know, wherever your setting is. You know what your story's about, and where it takes place. And no, it doesn't have to look poetic, since you're just starting your story.

Originally Posted by cbrmale

Should I open up a Word document and write a basic summary of what is going to happen, and then plan it out chapter-by-chapter?

That is how I do my plans, but nobody can tell you EXACTLY how YOU should plan. Even so, I think you have answered your own question.

I would just like to know how others plan their novels so I can mold different styles into my own. Thank you cbrmale.

Thank you Knightskye for your suggestion too.

Does anyone else have a different style of planning?

Wow, thank you very much. I will definitely take the Character Sheets into consideration. Thank you.

Anyone else?

I use two different methods.

1. Write events on post-it notes (the things that are going to happen in the book, one on each note) and then stick them onto my wall - this means I can move them around until I have a balanced plotline
2. A big spider diagram or mind map, with a central concept in the middle bubble and then lots and lots of ideas/characters/events spreading out from that. Once I have all the ideas, then I put them into chapter outlines

Actually, I have three methods - the third doesn't involve much planning at all as the book is character-based and purely linear. For this one I would simply do lots of research of the issues surrounding my character and then vaguely map out the book into three or four overall sections. Then I start at the beginning and keep going - it's as simple as that.

But the best way is simply to write - doesn't matter what. You'll find what works for you

The only thing I can tell you is to start off interesting. I always have a major event or something attention grabbing put at the very start. This is good for the reader as well as the writer. Sadly, I can't really say exactly what would be an exciting beginning for your story. Only you can decide on that. I'm not sure if planning is the best way to go for the start, for you limit yourself if you plan the beginning. Keep a wide variety of possibilites open and pick the most striking one.

Wow, these are all exceptional ideas. There is one thing I must say; I am the person that NEEDS to start at the beginning. I dont know why, but I can't write when I start in the middle of the story. And the Bum on Seat; that doesn't exactly work for me, because I want to write the story and my ideas at my own time. But thank you all for the ideas.

Aspiring, I am definitely going to consider the post-it-notes. They seem like an excellent idea. And Loulou; I have tons of notebooks downstairs. I am gonna go grab one right now. Thanks.

Thank you all for all the ideas. I now have my strategy of planning, and I will get started right away. Thank you guys once again.

I'm not sure how I can help you, since I've never really had a problem starting stories. Generally I write several different beginnings and choose which one I like the best. Sometimes I have 4 or 5 beginnings by the time I'm through with it. I'm going through serious writer's block at the moment, but it's that "halfway through first chapter" thing. I start a story spontaneously, but I can't continue it unless I plan. I generally write things down in a Word document; a timeline, things that have happened, things that will happen. I have crafted a huge storyline that spreads over almost 1,000 years...but I don't focus on the whole thing. I focus on parts of it, the key parts. Sometimes I make it too complicated for myself. There's another key; don't make it too complicated! I'm not saying you do, just make sure you don't.

But generally, to start, choose a bunch of different methods and see what works for you. Try several different beginnings. I think planning isn't necessary until you start getting past the first few paragraphs. But that's just my opinion.

Thank you both. Your comments/ideas are both being considered greatly.