Knowledge Exchange || Share your specialities

I have decided to approach working on my novel, God Like Me, in much the same way that I approach most other things in life: learn how it Should Be Done, then do it as I please.

So forget all of those books that tell you to hide yourself away in a hermetically sealed chamber until the First Draft emerges...this is the era of the net, of collaboration and sharing. Will you join me in a game of Help Mike Plot His Novel?

Writing, like most of the Arts, has rules made to be broken.  The genius is deciding which rules to break.  The reason must be of equal or greater value.  One unwritten rule being this:  "A story must be written from start to finish."  Is this so?  That is the question to consider.  

An unfortunate occurence in the creative process is to create the beginnings of a story, write it half way, and suddenly realize there seems to be no tangible ending.  What a crime!  A single incidence is a fluke.  A repeat of this is happenstance in a long life.  Another reoccurence is a tragedy of human habit-formed mental laziness -- apparently.

For the past year or so I have been forming a collection of ideas and quotes. Whenever a catchy phrase bit me, or a quote leaped out of my reading and sometimes when a briliant idea floated my way I would write them all down in a composition note book.

I now have the beginings of what I hope will become my first fiction novel. One problem: I don't know how to proceed. Should I dive right in? Should I wait and develope my writing techniques more? Should I just grab another composition note book? In any case, I am still new to the world of writing and need some guidence, or just a friendly nudge.

Well, I have a 5-shelf bookcase toppling with books on writing/creativity in general, as well as writing fiction and screenplays (sadly, I read more about writing than I do actual writing.) So if anyone needs a recommendation, please feel free to ask. BLLL

I added a new section today called 'Knowledge Exchange' - this is where you go to ask questions about details, things you don't know but want to include in your story.

Click on 'Full Story' for details.