6 answers
Charlie
Student
Troy, Ohio
1
Question
Asked
341 views
What's some writing advice?
What is some free writing advice in trying to write a book and not having any clue what to put in it (it's a romance book) I am a beginner writer and need some help
Login to comment
5 answers
Kimberley Jace
Book editor
1
Answer
Daytona Beach, Florida
Updated
Kimberley’s Answer
There is great advice here on honing your craft, developing discipline, and all the elements of becoming a writer. Because you asked specifically where to start when you don't have any idea of the plot, I'll add this: I think a good way to start writing fiction is to decide on one great scene in the middle where something unexpected happens. Since you want to write a romance novel, you already have a loose outline. Most love stories follow the formula of "they meet, they break up, they get back together." I'd suggest you start with the scene where love goes bad--because falling in love is easy, but falling out of love requires something dramatic to happen. So these two are madly in love, but uh-oh. One of them discovers something about the other, or war breaks out, or one of them does exactly the wrong thing at a critical moment--and suddenly, love is not going to be easy. What happened? What do they say? How do they feel? Why is this turning point the last thing readers would have expected? Write it out as you imagine it might unfold. Then all you have to do is write scenes that show us who the characters are, make them meet and fall in love, get them to that scene where they break up, and then get them back together. I'm not saying any of this is easy, but if you start in the middle, your story will have structure and direction that it wouldn't have if you started at the beginning. This is useful if you are still figuring out the plot, because once you get this plot point nailed down, you'll have a good idea of where this story might have started and where it might go.
As you read a book in your preferred genre, notice the plot. Read how the book publisher described that plot.
Think of a sentence that would briefly describe the plot of the book you want to write.
Start thinking about scenes you are excited about, and write those first.
Feel free to change out ideas as you think of better ideas.
Write a rough first draft and put it aside for a few days. Read it and make needed changes. Repeat.
Kimberley recommends the following next steps:
Your advice was so helpful!
Charlie
Laura Skorupa
6
Answers
Updated
Laura’s Answer
If you really want to write, read.
Read. Not just romantic fiction, anything. Classic literature is a good start. You can't beat Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte or Charles Dickens for wonderful storytelling, great plotting and larger-than-life characters. Read widely and adventurously. Find out what makes a compelling, effective piece of writing.
When you start writing, just write. See what happens. Be fearless. Find some time to write every day and stick to it. Something to try is "Morning Pages" from Julia Cameron's book, "The Artist's Way."
Journaling and keeping a writer's notebook are your friends. When you have an idea, write it down. It may be prose, or a poem. It doesn't matter. Write it down. Keep writing.
But keep reading. And enjoy the process.
Good luck!
Read. Not just romantic fiction, anything. Classic literature is a good start. You can't beat Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte or Charles Dickens for wonderful storytelling, great plotting and larger-than-life characters. Read widely and adventurously. Find out what makes a compelling, effective piece of writing.
When you start writing, just write. See what happens. Be fearless. Find some time to write every day and stick to it. Something to try is "Morning Pages" from Julia Cameron's book, "The Artist's Way."
Journaling and keeping a writer's notebook are your friends. When you have an idea, write it down. It may be prose, or a poem. It doesn't matter. Write it down. Keep writing.
But keep reading. And enjoy the process.
Good luck!
Kenneth Meade
1
Answer
Updated
Kenneth’s Answer
Try writing a simple outline of your romance book. Don't worry about being too specific. Start with beginning, middle, and end. Think about other romance stories you've enjoyed and the events that happen in their beginnings, middles, and endings.
Alternatively, you could start writing any scene that comes to mind from your story. Again, don't be too concerned about details. Just start getting some practice crafting sentences and paragraphs. Revision is a big part of writing. Allow yourself time to write drafts that are not about getting it perfect. You can always go back and revise or even rewrite entirley, things you've written.
Writers write, so most importantly, find time to write and do so.
Alternatively, you could start writing any scene that comes to mind from your story. Again, don't be too concerned about details. Just start getting some practice crafting sentences and paragraphs. Revision is a big part of writing. Allow yourself time to write drafts that are not about getting it perfect. You can always go back and revise or even rewrite entirley, things you've written.
Writers write, so most importantly, find time to write and do so.
Tom Foster
Freelance Writer with a lot of life experience
50
Answers
Forest Grove, Oregon
Updated
Tom’s Answer
My advice is usually rather simplistic and some people don't like that, but the truth is that it is at the heart of writing.
Just write.
Don't look to make sense, don't try to make a cohesive story out of it to begin with. Just write and see what comes up, what you think about, and what idea sticks. It's a chaotic way to start, but chaos usually gives way to order when you pay attention to the threads you're weaving.
Just write, your story will appear to you at some point.
Just write.
Don't look to make sense, don't try to make a cohesive story out of it to begin with. Just write and see what comes up, what you think about, and what idea sticks. It's a chaotic way to start, but chaos usually gives way to order when you pay attention to the threads you're weaving.
Just write, your story will appear to you at some point.
Thank you for giving me advice.
Charlie
Ann-Marie Giglio
Freelance writer and author
12
Answers
Monterey, California
Updated
Ann-Marie’s Answer
Hi Charlie,
To the great advice already posted, I would add that you find online resources and look for romance writers groups both online and locally to meet with in person.
Online workshops on plot, character development, genre structure, etc, are often offered for free as a taste of the larger course presented for purchase. No need to purchase the courses. Just watch the free stuff.
A group you meet with in person will perhaps fill in the gaps and will definitely give you valuable feedback and support for your project.
If you can afford $25, Jane Friedman works with excellent instructors who offer online workshops covering all aspects of genre: https://janefriedman.com/ Subscribe to her free newsletter for insight into the publishing industry.
Finally, join (or follow) the Romance Writers Guild of America: https://rwa.org . Those are your peeps.
Above all, keep writing. You'll learn a lot.
Ann-Marie
To the great advice already posted, I would add that you find online resources and look for romance writers groups both online and locally to meet with in person.
Online workshops on plot, character development, genre structure, etc, are often offered for free as a taste of the larger course presented for purchase. No need to purchase the courses. Just watch the free stuff.
A group you meet with in person will perhaps fill in the gaps and will definitely give you valuable feedback and support for your project.
If you can afford $25, Jane Friedman works with excellent instructors who offer online workshops covering all aspects of genre: https://janefriedman.com/ Subscribe to her free newsletter for insight into the publishing industry.
Finally, join (or follow) the Romance Writers Guild of America: https://rwa.org . Those are your peeps.
Above all, keep writing. You'll learn a lot.
Ann-Marie