I am attempting to write my first book, but am VERY lost at how to get started. The book is mainly gonna be a "whodunit"-type novel. But by me having NO writing experience and only good imagination, I have NO IDEA where to start first. Any ideas? Thanks!
by 
LisaJoy
ANSWERS: 4
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Start depicting the protagonist
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There are a lot of great idea in the "How to Articles" section of answerbag. Scroll down to the bottom of this page, and click on the link, then type "write a book" in the search box. See also: http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/664992 http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/1046424
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Start with your story. Try and see it like a movie in your head...the rest, literally, is just writing down what you see, describe the scenes, the characters, etc. Try to show, not tell your story and your characters. In other words, if your antagonist is a real jerk, don't say, "Adrian was a real jerk." Try saying something like, "Adrian kicked his dog every morning..." Let the reader infer that he's a jerk. Understand how much back story belongs in your story (should be just enough to allow you to complete the story - but not so much that it's actually a prologue) and where it goes in the story. I do not like to plot out my stories. I've done it before, and the story has always come out forced...rather than natural. I like throwing my characters into a situation, and let them work their ways out. Give yourself a deadline - nothing will spur you on more than a deadline. Above all else, write a lot - and read a lot. Good luck - and welcome to the craft of writing. You'll either love it or hate it...
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My best friend back in England is currently writing a few books, and his agent is trying to get his first one published now, and he recommended a great little book called The Writer's Little Helper, by Jim Smith: http://www.WeReallyLike.com/WritersLittleHelper
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