Rincewind Posted 11 June 2013 Posted 11 June 2013 Read the Prologue. Was unexpected. I was always told the hero should appear in the first chapter but as it was the Prologue I'll let you off. Ben Elton did the same thing in Gridlock. I won't spoil it for others by saying what.
Guest Posted 12 June 2013 Posted 12 June 2013 I've always wanted to write a book. I'm only in my thirties but have realised that I want to do all the things I've meant to before I hit middle age (no offence as you've shown it's no barrier). I've done the first chapter and a half although it will change and grow as I'm already finding but although I have a really basic idea of where it's going somehow the inspiration I get disappears when it's actually time to write it down. The transfer of idea into language is really quite difficult to get right isn't it! Did you find you knew exactly where you were going at the outset or did it evolve as you went?
Vlad the Fox Posted 12 June 2013 Posted 12 June 2013 I've always wanted to write a book. I'm only in my thirties but have realised that I want to do all the things I've meant to before I hit middle age (no offence as you've shown it's no barrier). I've done the first chapter and a half although it will change and grow as I'm already finding but although I have a really basic idea of where it's going somehow the inspiration I get disappears when it's actually time to write it down. The transfer of idea into language is really quite difficult to get right isn't it! Did you find you knew exactly where you were going at the outset or did it evolve as you went? Try and treat each chapter as a mini story with its own arc (start, middle and end) but finish with something to drive the reader into the next chapter. If you have a plan and a structure to follow it helps to prevent your story's from petering out.
Rincewind Posted 13 June 2013 Posted 13 June 2013 The hero needs to be mentioned early (hero as in main character) Dont kill them off early. Have a theme linked to each chapter. There are not really rules on when to revise. Some authors write it all then go through it again or as in Stephen King's case for one book leave it 20 years. Some authors write the ending first.. I have never attempted a novel. It takes a lot of effort and research. Even naming the character is important. Someone may have the same name and think you are bad mouthing them. Most importantly write about what you know. All these things I was told but successful authors have ignored them.
Rincewind Posted 13 June 2013 Posted 13 June 2013 On Newsnight Neil Gaiman is being interviewed. Good and well respected writer. Interesting bloke.
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