Where Knowledge Rules

Writing:

Writing Process

Get a Widget for this title

How to get started writing a book once you have a great idea

Obviously, the most important part of writing is actually doing it, and it doesn't matter if you have the best idea in the world it will never amount to much if you don't sit yourself down and write it out. Every writer understands how difficult it can be to force yourself to work on a project that seems endless, especially if you're novel has been going on for months or even years with little signs of progress, but the golden rule here to remember is that if no attempt is made, nothing gets done.

Also, don't be afraid of butchering your good idea. A lot of writers are afraid that if they try to write down their good idea and find that their skills are somehow inadequate, they'll find that they didn't believe their idea to be so good in the first place. However, the whole problem with writing is that you seek to express that which can't be explained in mere words. The trick here is to simply not lose sight of the original idea. If you begin to confuse your poor piece of writing with the great idea you originally had, you'll throw them both out without giving that idea a chance to shine.

Finally, don't worry about what other people think. Eventually you're going to feel the need to present your work to somebody else, since the whole point of art of any kind is to express to others ideas that are important to you. Remember, however, that you're not writing solely for the purpose of pleasing othersyou are writing for yourself. So if your best friend picks up a manuscript that you think is a smash hit and begins to humor you with comments such as "interesting" or "this is awfully long, isn't it?" the way best friends sometimes do, don't let it get to you. However, do not close yourself off entirely to their advice, if they have any to offer. You must strike a balance between writing something for yourself and writing it to be understood by othersif others don't understand it the way you meant for them to, you might have to change something.

Learn more about this author, Brandon Daubs.
Contact this writer Click here to send this author comments or questions.


Below are the top articles rated and ranked by Helium members on:

How to get started writing a book once you have a great idea

  • 1 of 15

    by Harper Gallagher

    Way back when I was in school my English teacher told me something which I have heard repeated over and over again. "Every

    read more

  • 2 of 15

    by Gordon Hamilton

    Just as from small acorns big oak trees grow, almost every literary classic in history has started with the germination

    read more

  • 3 of 15

    by Brandon Daubs

    Obviously, the most important part of writing is actually doing it, and it doesn't matter if you have the best idea in the

    read more

  • 4 of 15

    by Susan Rand

    As a writing expert at allexperts.com, with over 700 questons answered, most of the questions I get are about getting started.
    Many

    read more

  • 5 of 15

    by Simon Wright

    You've come up with a great idea for a book. The temptation is to plough straight into writing it. This might work for some,

    read more

View All Articles on:
How to get started writing a book once you have a great idea

Add your voice

Know something about How to get started writing a book once you have a great idea ?
We want to hear your view. Write_penWrite now!

Helium Debate

Cast your vote!

Is the use of "Cliff's Notes" academically honest?

Click for your side.

104405

Featured Partner

Universal Giving

Universal Giving is a social entrepreneurship nonprofit whose vision is to create a world where giving and volunteeri...more

What is Helium? | Buy Web Content | Contact Us | Privacy | User agreement | DMCA | User Tools | Help | Community | Helium’s Official Blog | Link to Helium

Helium, Inc.
200 Brickstone Square Andover, MA 01810 USA