Forum Advice please

Hi guys.

Hi there,
I'm new to the site and by no means an expert, but I can pass on some of the knowledge that has been shared with me over the last 5-6 years. As always I only offer suggestions so feel free to ignore is you wish.

What is your writing style? Do you use a mind map to set the bones of your plot out or do you write organically, allowing the words to flow where they may? It is much easier if you know how your story is going to end. I know many writers who start there books at the end and then write the story to reach that ending.

How ever you write, my first piece of advice is to just write as much as you can. Get the first draft out before you start worrying too much about the 'how, when, where, why and what.'

Secondly, don't get bogged down with the nitty gritty in your first draft, or you could end up getting no further than say Chapter three...trust me I know...lol.

It is not unusual to find that what you thought of as the first chapter, often becomes the fifth and vice versa.

In short, get that first draft out so that you have something to work with and then flesh it out.

Not a definitive answer I know, but I hope it has given you some food for thought.

Happy writing,

Laurie

I think either would work. Flip a coin! If details about the planet are needed, look to some other science fiction (without outright plagiarizing). Ray Bradbury has good examples, for instance. Of course, I wish you luck on your writing.

If you're looking to start a novel like this, how about using a little fact first. Did you know that last year we actually found a life sustaining planet in a different galaxy 3.2 trillion lightyears away.

I've been planning a trip to another planet for awhile, and have been waiting for someone else who wanted to go, as to not waste the fuel in my spaceship. It's fate! 

^ ugh, can't edit. But yeah I would say just write and let your reader be immersed by the difference, maybe stop to explain one line on why something is so different if it's hard to grasp. It'd be pretty boring to open up like IT WAS ON THE PLANET WHERE IT WAS COLD, THEREFORE, PEOPLE ALWAYS WORE COATS. Philip K Dick does pretty well with other planets/worlds... but they are all pretty much earthy at the core.