How to write a book : Forum : Help


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Help

1 Year Ago


Post questions here:

I have one: 
What is the best way to put sub plot into a story?
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Re: Help

1 Year Ago


I'm not sure, but I think you can switch the point of view to another character. That would do the trick, I guess.
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Re: Help

1 Year Ago


Originally posted by Tomislav Petricevic
I'm not sure, but I think you can switch the point of view to another character. That would do the trick, I guess.

Thanks. Its just I have a book im writing and everyone says the big main things happen way too fast. I want to add another subplot into the story to slow down the big stuff from happening too fast. If that makes since
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Re: Help

1 Year Ago


How do you guys stay on track when writing a book?
This is a huge issue for me. I'll write a little bit of my book and then forget about it for a few days. Then I'll come back and the 'writing flow' I had just slows down.
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Re: Help

1 Year Ago


Well, it's good if you make yourself write every day, at least a paragraph just to keep the habit. It helps you get used to writing your book constantly, so you'll "get a grip" of it and start writing more easily in the future.
But there's no actual trick for keeping the flow speedy; sometimes you'll just write slower, and sometimes faster.

Oh, and I found out using prolonged descriptions of surroundings and characters helps me slow down the storyline. For example, a certain scene can make your character remember an event from the past, etc.
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Re: Help

1 Year Ago


Originally posted by Jessie-Clarie
How do you guys stay on track when writing a book?
This is a huge issue for me. I'll write a little bit of my book and then forget about it for a few days. Then I'll come back and the 'writing flow' I had just slows down.

I just try to keep up with it. I write out an entire outline first and I also try to write just one book at a time. Hope it helps
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Re: Help

1 Year Ago


I tend to have issues with...sticking with one idea. Writing is my only outlet, so sometimes my mood just doesn't fit the story I am working with and I have so many more in my head that I just...start something new. Is that a good thing? Whenever I do that, I just start to forget about other things, and they just fade into the background of my harddrive.... I don't really know if it is good or bad, to let ideas float away and lose the inspiration for them without getting anywhere with them. It bothers me a little bit sometimes. And other times, things won't fade away completely. I will go back to them months later, and I will read it over and just think to myself "what the hell is this??" and rewrite it completely anyway. Any thoughts?
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Re: Help

1 Year Ago


Originally posted by Rebecca Katashi
I tend to have issues with...sticking with one idea. Writing is my only outlet, so sometimes my mood just doesn't fit the story I am working with and I have so many more in my head that I just...start something new. Is that a good thing? Whenever I do that, I just start to forget about other things, and they just fade into the background of my harddrive.... I don't really know if it is good or bad, to let ideas float away and lose the inspiration for them without getting anywhere with them. It bothers me a little bit sometimes. And other times, things won't fade away completely. I will go back to them months later, and I will read it over and just think to myself "what the hell is this??" and rewrite it completely anyway. Any thoughts?

I do the samething. but i write an outline first
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Re: Help

1 Year Ago


Originally posted by Taylor H.
Originally posted by Rebecca Katashi
I tend to have issues with...sticking with one idea. Writing is my only outlet, so sometimes my mood just doesn't fit the story I am working with and I have so many more in my head that I just...start something new. Is that a good thing? Whenever I do that, I just start to forget about other things, and they just fade into the background of my harddrive.... I don't really know if it is good or bad, to let ideas float away and lose the inspiration for them without getting anywhere with them. It bothers me a little bit sometimes. And other times, things won't fade away completely. I will go back to them months later, and I will read it over and just think to myself "what the hell is this??" and rewrite it completely anyway. Any thoughts?

I do the samething. but i write an outline first

I am honestly incapable of writing an outline first. It screws me up.
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Re: Help

1 Year Ago


Originally posted by Rebecca Katashi
Originally posted by Taylor H.
Originally posted by Rebecca Katashi
I tend to have issues with...sticking with one idea. Writing is my only outlet, so sometimes my mood just doesn't fit the story I am working with and I have so many more in my head that I just...start something new. Is that a good thing? Whenever I do that, I just start to forget about other things, and they just fade into the background of my harddrive.... I don't really know if it is good or bad, to let ideas float away and lose the inspiration for them without getting anywhere with them. It bothers me a little bit sometimes. And other times, things won't fade away completely. I will go back to them months later, and I will read it over and just think to myself "what the hell is this??" and rewrite it completely anyway. Any thoughts?

I do the samething. but i write an outline first

I am honestly incapable of writing an outline first. It screws me up.

Well it doesnt have to be a permanent outline. Something you just have as a guide line
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Re: Help

1 Year Ago


Sub plots should usually run parallel (or if your really clever in opposition) to your main theme. Theme being slightly separate from your actual storyline.For example: My plot is about a woman hiding her magical ability. The theme is freewill. My sub plot is a sideline where the main character believes her friend to be wrong in his choices - but to force him would be to take away his freewill.It creates friction.Without subplot a story can be too simplistic. In anyone's life there is never just one thing going on. They have friends and family with their own lives happening in conjunction with their own.
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1 Year Ago


That is good advice.  Details are important.  I am writing a book that I think may have too much detail, though.  But since the plot sort of...loops (that is not the word) I tend to err on he side of excessive detail to provoke contrast with the minute differences that may/may not take place as the story moves.  I would love it if anyone in this group could take a look at my first four chapters and offer feedback.  It is called REDEEMING THE TIME 
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Re: Help

1 Year Ago


Wow, I never even thought of subplot. I will have to look into my manuscript and see if I can identify it.  I know I have complete characters and the friction between them is the driving force behind the plot, and there are many stories threaded throughout.  My theme focuses on the struggle to do what is right in the midst of circumstances that press towards the convenient and questions the existence of an all-powerful God in the face of reckless hatred. It is the ultimate good versus evil wound inside one mans need for redemption. Inspiration came from my own wasted youth and a desire to go back in time and tell my younger self to stay in school.  Knowing what I know now in the past could have changed everything in my future, but it was my husband’s love for Aztec Indian Art that gave me the plot eventhough it has nothing to do with Aztecs or Indians or Art.  I need to work on the pitch...