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message 1: by Vixen201 (new)

Vixen201 A friend of mine told me last February that I should write my own crime fiction novel because I love to read all the time. Well, its almost been a year and nothing done but brainstorming that was April of last year. I need some tips on what to do first to prepare to write my first book. ways to brainstorming; research techniques, etc.

Thanks,
Vixen 201 :-)


message 2: by Vixen201 (new)

Vixen201 Dejana wrote: "Hey! Why don't you try this: tell your storyline in just one sentence. Fifteen words or less. Then make that into a paragraph. Then make that into 5 paragraphs. Just keep building on things until y..."

My mind is over all the place. Several ideas running but don't know what to do?


message 3: by Michael (new)

Michael Benavidez what I usually do is write what comes down to mind, even if it's disjointed, or several scenes don't match up. this way you can have those several stand out scenes down and you know that you'd like to include them. then when you feel you are ready just go through connecting them with story and plot and characters.
that's my way though, everyone's different. good luck though! :)


message 4: by Vixen201 (new)

Vixen201 Michael wrote: "what I usually do is write what comes down to mind, even if it's disjointed, or several scenes don't match up. this way you can have those several stand out scenes down and you know that you'd like..."

Thanks, Michael :-)


message 5: by Vixen201 (new)

Vixen201 Dejana wrote: "Vixen201 wrote: "Dejana wrote: "Hey! Why don't you try this: tell your storyline in just one sentence. Fifteen words or less. Then make that into a paragraph. Then make that into 5 paragraphs. Just..."

Dejana wrote: "Vixen201 wrote: "Dejana wrote: "Hey! Why don't you try this: tell your storyline in just one sentence. Fifteen words or less. Then make that into a paragraph. Then make that into 5 paragraphs. Just..."

Thanks, Dejana :-)


message 6: by Michael (new)

Michael Benavidez Vixen201 wrote: "Michael wrote: "what I usually do is write what comes down to mind, even if it's disjointed, or several scenes don't match up. this way you can have those several stand out scenes down and you know..."

no problem, and as a fellow writer, I wish you the best!


message 7: by Vixen201 (new)

Vixen201 Michael wrote: "Vixen201 wrote: "Michael wrote: "what I usually do is write what comes down to mind, even if it's disjointed, or several scenes don't match up. this way you can have those several stand out scenes ..."

Thanks, Michael :-)


message 8: by Kurt (new)

Kurt Bartling (kurtb) | 6 comments Vixen201 wrote: "A friend of mine told me last February that I should write my own crime fiction novel because I love to read all the time. Well, its almost been a year and nothing done but brainstorming that was A..."

Hi Vixen201.
I just recently got into the writing thing about two years ago.

I have a couple of questions for you.
1. Why crime fiction?
2. What do you like about the the books you've read (not just crime fiction)
2. What didn't you like about the books you've read (not just CF)
3. Crime fiction has a lot of facets, what do you like, what do you want included in your book?
4. Tell me about your main characters ... protagonist, antagonists, male, female, what do they look like, are they in relationships, personality traits/quirks, strength/weaknesses, sexuality, interests, likes and dislikes. Pick out a couple characters from literature and movie, even actors. build around things you know.
5. What do you want your story to convey at the end, what is the lesson(s).

Lets start form there.

I used this technique ... it allowed me to write 3-novel (350,000 words) in 12 months. I never wanted to be a writer, just fell into it ... these questions did that for me.


message 9: by Kenzi (new)

Kenzi | 8 comments But it doesn't have to have a lesson


message 10: by Kenzi (new)

Kenzi | 8 comments That is so early. And XD I need to change my name! It actually says Kenzi but everyone mistakes the capital I for an L


message 11: by Kurt (new)

Kurt Bartling (kurtb) | 6 comments KeNzI wrote: "But it doesn't have to have a lesson"

I'm just proposing the same thing I did. I never wrote a book, never had any real idea for a book ... just thought I'd see if I could.

So I wrote down the things I liked and didn't like about the books I had read. POV, characters, plots, twists ... pretty much everything. Then I wrote down the framework of a book I'd really want to read. In my case, I wanted a topic that struck a chord (like Brown did with DiVinci Code and LeHaye/Jenkins did with Left Behind), I defined the type characters I wanted to read about (Anti-Mary Sue, not an overbearing Alpha male). I didn't want a plot built around a frustrating love story, but I wanted a romance, because quite simply - relationships aren't always Rose/Dimitri difficult. I wanted a story where plot is driven by the protagonist, vs the protagonists reacting to the antagonist, and I wanted the protagonists to reside in a grey area of morality (anti-heroes).

From there, one day mowing the lawn, thinking about the framework, the story literally exploded in my head. As I said 3-books in 1 year later. Balance


message 12: by Kenzi (new)

Kenzi | 8 comments Awesome Kurt! Sounds good


message 13: by Kurt (new)

Kurt Bartling (kurtb) | 6 comments KeNzI wrote: "Awesome Kurt! Sounds good"

Not sure if that was sarcastic or not. Vixen asked for help, I offered ... take it or leave it.


message 14: by Kenzi (new)

Kenzi | 8 comments Oh no I am not trying to be rude sorry


message 15: by Kenzi (new)

Kenzi | 8 comments REALLY! I AM TRYING TO BE NICE LOL


message 16: by Kurt (new)

Kurt Bartling (kurtb) | 6 comments Sorry. A little short fused today. Bad experience at my 10yr old daughter's basketball game. Writing should be fun. I really don't know how it couldn't be. It shouldn't be so frustrating. You, the author, have complete control to create whatever is in your mind. Very few people get that opportunity.


message 17: by Kenzi (new)

Kenzi | 8 comments I agree! I love to write! Working on some writing now actually


message 18: by Kurt (new)

Kurt Bartling (kurtb) | 6 comments I'm just finishing up the edits on my last book, then I can spend time reading something written by someone other than me.


message 19: by Kenzi (new)

Kenzi | 8 comments Hey I always need opinions! Nudge nudge. XD LOL


message 20: by Mary (last edited Feb 02, 2014 03:04PM) (new)

Mary Pamela (marypamela) | 1 comments Read James Scott Bell's "Plot and Structure." It will help you to organize your thoughts, and get them on the page.


message 21: by Michael (new)

Michael Benavidez I know I offered some advice earlier, but I just learned a lot of stuff from reading everyone else's hahaha thanks Alex, Kurt, Kenzi! by the by kenzi, I wouldn't mind reading something written by someone that isn't me or Stephen king OR clive barker haha


message 22: by Kurt (new)

Kurt Bartling (kurtb) | 6 comments KeNzI wrote: "Hey I always need opinions! Nudge nudge. XD LOL"

My brain wasn't working when you replied ... If you have something, I'll take a look at it.


message 23: by Jolijn (new)

Jolijn You should make the main characters really interesting. Or the book will end up boring.
I have that with a lot of books. That the book is great, but the main character is boring or stupid.


message 24: by Vixen201 (new)

Vixen201 Alex wrote: "Hey Vixen201

I feel your pain!!

I'm writing my first novel (for the same reasons as you), and found it would totally stop/start all the time. Three things helped me:

1. I brainstormed my idea an..."


Thanks, Alex


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