I need help with a beginning...(writing question)

[BlackBeltAngel]

Okay, so I've agonized over this for almost three months and I didn't want to actually ask for help, but now I have no idea what to do. I've been writing since I was eight and it's fun for me (acting, karate, writing...my fun stuff...), so I don't have too many writer's blocks.

I have two or three books going now--one is a karate book (fiction). The other two books I have no problems with; I run through them great! But my karate book, gosh, I'm having tons of problems. I have the whole thing planned out, but I can't get a beginning for it.

So, without a basic outline, how would you start a karate book?

[Kaminari]

Without a basic outline, I wouldn't know where to start. It depends on what your characters are like, your plot/how it progresses/how quickly it progresses, the location the story takes place in, etc. There are several general options to starting, though. You can describe the world or place the character lives in, or the beginning of their day. You can also open with dialogue that quickly introduces the reader to what's happening, or you can even start it with some action. It all depends on what you want to do with it and where you want it to go.

[Enviroman]

Well, I presume you have a basic idea for the plot, no? Characters, general theme, conflicts, etc.

The first chapter or so is generally dedicated to introducing the main character (or characters) to the reader. This can be done through various means. Then the character(s) has his/her personality fleshed out throughout the book.

Before you start on the book, I'd recommend constructing some basic plot elements and character information.

[monkeygirl]

Well, I agree with Kaminari here. Without any idea of who the characters are, their motivations, or where the book is going, any beginning ideas we can give you will be contrived and formulaic. You don't necessarily start planning a book from the beginning. Perhaps you just have one idea for a scene that you want to include, and the story could just build around that. Try some freewriting about the characters you have in mind. Just putting pencil to paper and writing--without thinking about whether or not it's good, just writing--can advance your progress in leaps and bounds. Hopefully you'll find that once the pencil gets going (and yes, I recommend pencil over keyboard), it's easy to keep going.

[BlackBeltAngel]

Thanks everyone

[Martial_Artist]

You should craft the opening to grab the attention of the reader. The first chapter of a book is designed to hook a reader into wanting to read the rest of a book. If you waste time with detail, development, or long monologues you will lose your reader's interest. Open with a dilema or a statement or a situation in which the reader must turn the pages to discover what is going on. Curiosity killed the cat and it hooks reader's all the time. If you ever plan of getting published you will have to know that if you don't hook the submissions editor in the first pages your book will go to the slush pile and you will receive a nice little rejection letter in the mail.

I would check out books on the craft of writing from Writer's Digest publishing.

You must remember writing is a skill. There is technique involved. It is a craft that must be learned. Talent is only a portion of writing success. Talent provides the substance, technique provides the product.

[ShotokanKid]

Are you going to publish this story or is it just for your own love of writing?

[cathal]

Don't think of your book as a "karate book" or a "mystery book", a "comedy book" etc. Every story has a beginning and the best advice is to start out with some action and explain it afterward...just like any other story.