What is the process in writing a real book?

Question

I want to know the whole process from the first draft of the book to the time when the whole thing is being published and put into stores. P.S. Can some people go to my other question called Sammy Keyes vs Nancy Drew Who's better? also?

Answer 1

Start off figuring out where your story is going. What's the plot?



Write a sypnosis, or a summary, of your story and then start on the first few paragraphs. This is the most important since it's what will hook your readers so spend a lot of time working on this. Character developments is crucial at this point too.



Once you have written it all put it away for a month or two and then edit it. Put it away, edit again and keep doing this until even you are 100% happy with it. Next find an agent, and a publisher. Not one from the internet, look through the Writers Handbook or Writers Market to find one which suits you the most.



Have a lookie at my blog, it might help you. =)



http://justanote2010.blogspot.com/2010/06/sooo-you-want-to-be-author.html

http://justanote2010.blogspot.com/2010/06/i-want-to-publish-my-book.html

Answer 2

For me, it's kind of like this...



1. Inspiration (can hit from anywhere)



2. Gathering of ideas/more inspiration/brainstorming



3. Writing down ideas (If I hadn't done so already). I keep a notebook just for ideas with me at most times.



4. Outlining. (It's best for me so I don't run into problems when writing. Example: I decided that a character's crush would be his cousin. Hehe, major rewrite there. I usually just use index card to list events)



5. More Brainstorming and editing the outlines! Somewhere in steps 1-4 I figure out characters. I might think of a character - personality/traits/background all by hearing a name or seeing a photograph of a real life person. Either that or I build the character as I write the story.



Really depends on what I do. I may come up with characters before any plot.



6. I start writing! :) (Finally, darn it!) OR NOT... It takes a while for me to decide how a novel should begin. This is always the hardest part for me. I might go through a billion rewrites.



7. WOO. More writing. I might decide to write out of order sometimes. Ie: writing the last chapter before writing the beginning. Yeah (I said I hate writing the beginning, didn't I?).



8. Editing! Once the novel is finished, I go through a whole editing process. Looking at it everday I can for any mistakes & such. And then, more EDITING. And more. Ususally I've asked for critique after any writing stage.



9. If the book gets bad reviews or it isn't liked very much, then I rewrite the book (keeping the old copy). It's good to help me improve my writing. And besides, if no one really likes it, it couldn't be published and sell.



10. All written. Edited. And turned into a manuscript if I were going to publish.



11. You want to know about the publishing process? That's a whole 'nother topic. But this literary agent has a FAQ that covers a lot about the process. Check out his first FAQ "How does the publication process work?" http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2008/08/faqs.html#uds-search-results



Hope that helps! :D

Answer 3

It varies from person to person.



How you write the actual book depends on your method, be it the "Snowflake" the "Seat-of-the-pants" the "Edit as you go" or the "Outline."



Snowflake is some planning, but most little things just come as you write the story.



Seat-of-the-pants is where you just write. While this can be fun, it requires MAJOR editing.



Edit-as-you-go is self explanatory. Sometimes an author will rewrite a scene ten times before moving onto the next.



Outline is where you do an extensive outline on near everything. These outlines often range from 20-50 pages. This method may not be as fun as seat-of-the-pants, it requires MUCH less editing.



Snowflake seems to be most common, so I'll discuss that.



You do some planning, you work out most of the major twists and events, but dialogue and detail is left for the writing. You write your first draft.



Then you edit. You take out pages, sometimes even chapters that don't work into the story. My favorite way to do this is to write a second draft, where I try to cover up any plotholes, change twists or anything that don't work and tie off any strings I didn't tie off in the first draft.



The most drafts I write is three, but some go as far as 10, or 20.



PUBLISHING



The Writers Market 2010 will help you find agents and publishers, so I recommend getting it.



First (Not needed, but highly reccommended) you should send a query to an agent. Some publishers won't even LOOK at a manuscript unless it's been submitted by an agent. A good way to find agents is by attending writers conferences.



If a publisher likes you, he may ask you to come for an interview, and consider publishing you.





I'm sorry, thats about as far as I know. I don't know the process of getting into stores.



---------EDIT---------



Also, obviously you will need an idea. I sometimes spend two years developing one, and then give it up. I usually sit down to write a sypnosis of the basic stuff I have, and then the ideas just flow. THEN, you write your first draft.



---------EDIT----------



One more thing. WRITERS BLOCK occurs when you're worried about failing, and when you're stuck because you're trying to be in creative and editing mode at the same time. When I do a first draft, I have some ideas, but then just let my imagination and my pen(well, keyboard actually) do the rest.



---------EDIT---------



And remember, make sure your manuscript is as completed and as close to perfect as you can possibly make it before sending it to an agent or publisher.



---------EDIT---------



It seems I forgot to mention characters. A three-dimensional character is a character with values, especially one with CONFLICTING values. Make them seem REAL. Give them real flaws and real personalities. They have to be believable for people to feel for them and relate to them.

Answer 4

there is not any sure formulation for writing a e book - the approach relies upon on the author. some define; some start to place in writing with out plenty as an thought. some write in sequence; some do not look after order and piece the e book at the same time. besides the undeniable fact that the author writes, they only write till the story is carried out. that's accompanied by applying many tedious rounds of enhancing. Publishing is a confusing ingredient to end. each and each writer has diverse standards, which the author ought to fulfill. in case you come across an agent first, the agent will cope with publishers - yet a number of your earnings is going to the agent. besides the undeniable fact that, in case you have not have been given an agent, you act on your guy or woman behalf, searching for companies and sending what they choose. you will come across books with listings for publishers and brokers at a library. Rejection fee for many publishers is ninety p.c. or larger, by fact of this your odds are low. Many authors can't help themselves on writing on my own, nevertheless fee varies from corporation to corporation. Odds are against writers.

Answer 5

Step 1 - Coming up with an idea.

Step 2 - Plotting that idea, or mapping a few scenes in advance.

Step 3 - Writing the 'draft' version of the book.

Step 4 - Reading over your work, with a pen and self-editing. Keep doing this until happy.



Step 5 (V1) - Contacting a literary agent, they will then contact several publisher, and show your manuscript. Your work will either be accepted, you receive an advance payment and contract and your book goes to stores, or your work is rejected.



Step 5 (V2) - Submitting your work yourself to various publishing houses (Do research - don't submit a horror for example to a publishing house that deals with romance). Your work is either accepted, they read into it more carefully, you gain a contract and your work goes to print, or your work is rejected.



Step 5 (V3) - Self publishing. Paying to have the book printed yourself, also highly recommended you contact an editor to evaluate the book first.

Answer 6

i can help you i really can but that is a big process and explain and i dont feel like typing all that if u want u can email me at [e-mail] and i can try

Answer 7

i wouldnt be able to answer in detail because everyone goes about it in different ways =s