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How to begin your novel, avoid the rookie mistakes, and go the distance!
Welcome to the Ultimate Fantasy Writer’s Stater Kit where you will learn how to begin your novel, avoid the rookie mistakes, and go the distance. In this lesson, we will look at 5 key tips to start writing strong. So pull up a chair, grab your notepaper, and let’s make your dream of writing an awesome fantasy novel happen!
If you can’t tell, I occasionally stutter. lol. Writers … we have too many words in our heads! I hoped you like the video and, if so, will leave a comment below! There will be more coming your way soon!
I have a question for you. I’m impressed by the information you’ve provided, and I would like write a book one day. Just about every book I’ve read, the author mentions a lot of people “who made this book possible.” my question…is it possible to write a good story by yourself? If not, how do I find all those helpful people to make my book a reality?
Hi, Mike! That is a VERY good question. At it’s heart, yes, it is possible to write a book alone. Both Jesper and I have done it. But there are a lot of moments of wracking your brain for ideas, self-doubt, and just questions if you are doing something right that having other authors to talk to and ask questions of is GREAT. If you are on social media, there are a number of different hashtags and groups you can join. We’d love it if you came and joined us at Am Writing Fantasy Facebook Group (if you are on Facebook). Other authors are a great source of inspiration and support that help make the writing, especially of a first book, go faster. Good luck with yours!
Great answer. I’ll do that. Right now, my book is just an idea. One of those books about synthetic humans and what it means to be human. My inspiration was the Cassandra Kresnov novels. Needs a lot of work. I have the first scene worked out in my head, but nothing written down yet. Next will be a flashback about their origins and an introduction to the threat they face. My biggest obstacle is no computer. I can’t write it on my smartphone, after all. 🙂
I just realized something. Are science fiction writers welcome in your group too?
Absolutely!
I really enjoyed “How To Begin Your Novel” video. Great overview of the process. Can’t wait until video 2.
Cheers!
So glad you enjoyed the first video, Chuck! Number 2 will be coming your way very soon. Happy writing!
This is some of the best advice I’ve seen! Kudos!
Well done!
MD
Cheers Autumn! No matter how experienced you are, it’s always useful to go back to basics if only to simplify & organise. I’m looking at this in bite-size chunks, and I think it’s going to help me make quality decisions about the plot flow for my archaic-future Arthurian page-turner! 😉
Hi, Jan! So good to see you here. And I know what you mean. Putting these slides together in a sequence that makes sense and is explainable clarified so much in MY mind. Lol!
Thank you so much Autumn! I never thought of the first chapters as a short story. That clears up so much about how to hook the reader. Now I’m thinking back to all the books I’ve read and I recognize that tactic in most of them. I have done that with novel without knowing I’d done it (on my 6th revision of the beginning). Now I see why all the previous versions of my first chapters didn’t work. Things are starting to come together now! Again, thank you. Very helpful!
Hi, Julia! Yay! I’m happy your story is starting to come together. ? Wahoo!
I’ve never seen the idea of starting with an intro short story taught anywhere else. But after years of writing and listening to the experts, it sort of clicks THIS is what works. Now I can pass it on to you. ?
First of all, this is a life saver. It has some very helpful tips and it helps us go through the writer’s block flawlessly. Thank you so much for doing this!
Hi, Dorothy! I’m so glad the videos help, especially with conquering writer’s block. Non-writer’s might joke about it, but wanting to write and having the time to write but not being able to… there is a ring of he’ll where that was created! Glad you are writing again. ?
Hi Autumn, these are very valuable tips. I cannot absorb them all at one time. I will have to listen and listen again until I can fully internalized them. Thank you so much for providing them. This will come in handy as I begin to plan my next book.
They are here for you to watch, Joy, whenever you need. I’m so glad you are finding them useful!
Hi Autumn! I was watching the first video, and I was wondering, will the other two videos be also available? If yes, then when?
Thank you! 🙂
Hi, Taylor! If you got a link to video 1, you’ll get links to videos 2 and 3 in a few days. Don’t worry!
If the day comes that I am lauded as the next GRR Martin, I will cite the day I started this video series as where it all began to happen. Amazing. You have given me a path to get this decades long obsession with my story a pathway to realization. Thank you.
Hi, Darren! I’m so glad this has helped. And you are only on video 1! 😀 You got a lot more coming and I hope you find it all just as useful and exciting.
And I will be honored to say that I helped you get to the elite ranks of rubbing shoulders with GRR Martin! Keep writing!
This has been very helpful to me. I am still working with it and focusing my own thoughts and ideas. this might be view words but it is a big deal. THANKS
I’m so glad this has been helpful, Michael! That is EXACTLY why I made these videos. Best of luck getting your ideas and thoughts in order and to start writing. 😀
Hi Autumn
It was really helpful and i will definetely use it and keep all the things you mentioned in mind while writing. I listened the video very carefully and as being one of the game of thrones fan just wantted to correct something. I believe it should be Robert (King Roberts arrival to winterfell) not Richard. Please take it as a friendly reminder. Loking forward to getting the other videos… All the bests
I’m glad the advice from the videos helped, Ceren. And I think you are right about me saying Richard! Sometimes my mind and mouth do not align. lol!
that happens to me also all the time, no probem…
I am going to start reading your books and very excited about it. I think I will often visit your website and share my comments, bests
Great points. My current work has already gone in a different direction than what I originally thought, but no plan survive contact. An initial trial editing by a third party had me jumping into rabbit holes I hadn’t even thought of, but that had a big positive effect on the plot.
That’s great, Perry! And I love that you are open to the input of a third party. Sometimes writers don’t appreciate new rabbit holes, but it is always great to question “what if?” even if you decide not to go that way in the end. Being sure in what you write will only make your writing stronger!
And I’m so glad you like video 1!
The best part for me – it made sense. Good, common sense. Thank you for the video it was a joy to watch.
That’s great, Carolyn! I’m so glad that you liked the video and advice. 😀
Thank you for this. I especially liked the idea of starting the story with a mini-story/short story. That idea resonated with me. Two other great tips were: nothing falls into the ch’s lap (I’m told I’m too kind to my chs) and another great idea was decisions drive the plot. Must keep them stuck to my computer screen!
I’m so glad the idea for the mini-short story intro resonated with you, Caroline! It is still one of my favorite techniques to start off a book. And I totally understand wanting to be kind to your characters. I feel so bad for mine somedays, but… difficulties create great reader tension! Best of luck with your writing and I hope you enjoy the next two videos!
Hi, Autumn! I’ve seen all three of your videos now and taken notes, and they are proving helpful!
It’s interesting to me that the idea of starting with a mini-story isn’t taught elsewhere, but that stood out to me especially. My current project is a sequel to an earlier work of mine (never published)–and that earlier work DID start with a mini-story, because at the time I started writing it I didn’t know what the actual full story was! So that’s helped me to figure out the right beginning for the sequel, because for almost five years I’ve known the ending to the sequel but I’ve been “working backwards” in conception, trying to find the right beginning, which isn’t easy for me. I’ve done several false starts already that have proven not to be the right beginning (even though a couple managed to get as far as novel length before I abandoned the drafts).
Also, having Asperger’s Syndrome, clear outline structures like the seven parts of the story (and how many chapters each should have) is especially helpful to me, and something I appreciate. I find it easier to work with that than with nothing. I like to write what I would want to read, but I don’t want to ignore my readers and their expectations–and again, having Asperger’s Syndrome it isn’t always easy for me to understand different ways of thinking. It’s overwhelming to me.
Thanks!
Hi, Michael!
I’m so glad the first video helped generate some ideas and a pathway to writing something you’ve been struggling with for a few years. That is exactly why I created this! I’ve honestly never heard of the mini-story take either, but when you look at some of the best and most engaging stories, they all do it. It makes sense to me. I just see the world a bit differently than most I think, so what I teach is a bit different than most. 😀
The outline helps me as well. I like having a path forward and know where the ending will be. Like you, I often have the ending already in mind and I’m itching to write even though I know I have 80,000+ words to go until I get there. #torture And Asperger’s runs in my family so I know exactly what you mean and where you are coming from. I hope the course gives you the tools you need to keep going and finish this book and series! Keep writing.
Wow, that was quick! 🙂 Thanks for the reply!
Heh, I see the world differently too, and I appreciate that kind of unique wisdom and teaching it to other people.
Well, actually I didn’t have the ending in mind to the original story to which this current project is a sequel. My current project is really just tying up the remaining loose ends from the original, but it would have been anti-climactic to put them there, so I’m giving them a separate story. And in fact, at first I didn’t think a sequel would work that wouldn’t be anti-climactic, precisely because I knew how it would end and there were no surprises.
Heh, I’m glad to hear you know what I mean. 🙂 Thanks again!
FINALLY was able to watch this in its entirety! I like the Seven Steps to Story Structure. I plan on making use of that, definitely! Glad there isn’t a time limit on these videos, I don’t think I can watch them all at once or consecutively. 🙂
Glad you found it useful! There is so many tips and tricks I want to share… it is hard to fit them in to even these videos. Which is why there is no time or replay limit. OMG, that would drive me crazy in my life too if I were trying to watch. Ack!?
Thanks, really enjoyed this video. I found the seven-step structure very interesting. I’ve tended to stick to the 3/4 act structure and that’s worked for me quite well so far, and while I don’t think the two are actually in conflict, there’s definitely something to be gained by looking at the way you’ve laid it out.
You get extra kudos for calling out the ‘climax’ of Harry Potter as being a bit meh!
I’m glad you liked the video and yes, I don’t think the 3/4 act structure is in conflict, just a slightly different way of organizing it. I like the more progressive steps to the 7 steps of story structure. It breaks it down a bit more and keeps the flow going, at least in my mind.
And lol! 7 books, 7 books, and the big scene ends on THAT… ok, don’t get me going again. ?
I want to watch, but I am hard of hearing and there are no closed captions for the video. I run in to this A LOT. Can you send me a transcript?
I will see if I can find transcripts for you, Brandy. Give me a couple of days.
Thank you for all the advice you offer in this video! The “magic” of writing book seems now something attainable. I loved the practical approach and the sequence of developing your novel. How can I access the rest of the videos in the kit? Thank you
Hi, Lidiana! I’m so glad you like the approach and that you find it helpful! The links to the rest of the videos are coming your way in just a few days. Promise!