Can anyone help me out, im wondering how do I start a book. I have ideas about what to put in it, but im not really sure where to begin writing or how to begin organizing the book. Any ideas? Heres the list of topics Psychology Neuro-Linguistic Programming Hypnosis Humor Biology Personalities Human Behavior Emotion Drama Relationships Mind'Body/Exercise Addiction The Five Senses Hear See Touch Taste Smell Hallucinogenic/Out Of Body/Meditation Brain waves Dreams/Lucid Dreams Hallucinations Psychotic Disorders Society Leadership History Economy Technology Music Television Computers Internet Religion/Philosophy/Politics Chemistry Military Conspiracies
Are we talking a non-fiction book here? I think the crucial thing is to know what your 'take home message' is. That key point will create the spine of the narrative and the rest can be arranged around it?
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Yeah, my question is whether it's fiction or nonfiction....and the books that are written about things you know the most about are the ones that come out the best! So I'd pick the one(s) from the list that you know well and are the most passionate about. It'll really show in the writing.
If it's fiction, let the book be story-driven, not theme-driven. If you write well enough, the theme gets through to people without having to be pounded into them. But no one will read a poor story. So that should be your focus.
I'm just finishing up a novel myself (my first), and readily remember what it's like to be on the doorstep of starting a first book. Exciting! In my experience (which I admit, of course, is very limited), advice is a great help; but ideally, Digital, you will probably want to make broader decisions like your actual choice of topic range yourself. It will be you yourself, afterall, who will be working through the long process of writing a book, and you will want to be sure that the passion for said topic is present in you strongly enough for you to A) finish the book and to B) write on the topic with conviction. Personally, I think a good starting point might be for you yourself to think over your list above and narrow it to what you are personally most comfortable with, rather than having someone advise you on a particular choice. Assuming the book you want to write is a novel, you might, in fact, find it easier to make a list of GENRES instead (crime; comedy; romance, etc.) and a list of possible plot-lines. Once you choose your genre and plot you are THEN perhaps at a stage where you can work with your list above more easily. Many of the things you mention above would mix well into a variety of plots and genres no doubt. Also, if, as I think, you want to write a novel, how about starting with a short story for practice? That would be a great way to organize your thoughts on a slightly smaller and therefore less intimidating level. Good luck with it anyhows amigo!
