How to Draw a Book (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-12 03:32

Anyone with a story to tell can write a book, for fun or to publish it, so that many people can read it (and buy it, hopefully). If you find yourself weaving plots and plots while reading your favorite novels or when relaxing in the park, consider writing your own stories. At first the challenge could be tough and you will need to find some ideas to start with. Also you will need to find time to sit down and think about what people want to read. Ask your friends a few questions and you might end up with a great story!

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Getting Started

Step 1. Buy a notebook, even more than one

You can decide to write your novel on the computer, but you never know when inspiration will knock on your door. For this reason it is best to rely on old paper and pen and always have them at hand wherever you go. Also, many writers believe there is a connection between the mind, hand, pen and paper, so give it a try before discarding this option, as it could help you tremendously.

• A notebook bound in leather or rigid cardboard is more robust and withstands the “stress” of being placed in a backpack or briefcase much better; spiral bound notebooks, on the other hand, are more delicate and tend to open. Better yet, if you decide the page you wrote is just junk, it will be easy to rip off!

  

• Regardless of the type of binding, consider using squared paper instead of the classic lined paper. You may need to draw some drawings and sketches, and squared pages are more useful for aligning or indenting paragraphs.

  

Step 2. Think

Now that you have your notebook, it's time to exorcise the demon of all writers: the first blank page. Use these first pages to jot down ideas that will develop in the novel. When you think you've jotted down enough ideas, read them twice. At this point, have another person read your notes to have an opinion. Choose one of these ideas, the one that will be the basis of your book, and make sure that no other book with the same topic has recently been published. At this point, wait a couple of days before re-reading your idea, convince yourself that it is the right one and continue with the next steps.

Step 3. Write an "overview" of the story, a draft of the plot, notes on the characters (possible names, descriptions, "past stories" and so on), places, time setting and all those details that will be part of the narrative

This technique offers many advantages, including:

• New ideas will arise as you describe the various parts of the story (remember to write them down).
• Nothing you write is lost. You could also describe a character, for example, who will never appear in your novel but who influences another.

Step 4. Set up a table or chart to list all the characters who have a special role in the story

Use your notebook to describe them as much as possible, you can even come up with backstories for a couple of them. This will make it easier to visualize them, think about them and get to know them better.

You will always have something to refer to when you run out of ideas

Step 5. Create a draft

This defines the development of your narrative: the beginning, the development of the plot and characters, the intertwining of events leading to the main conflict or the climax of the story, finally the resolution of the conflict / event and closure.

• The initial part is often the hardest, if you allow it to be. The best thing to do is to start in the most general way possible. For example, you want to write a detective story and you are passionate about World War II. Start jotting down: Yellow, World War II.

  The nice thing is that both categories are very broad, but just the fact of pairing them, narrows the field of possibilities a lot. If nothing else, you have a well-defined historical period that you need to respect and focus on. Something mysterious happened during the Second World War: you are on the right track, keep thinking.

  • Is it a personal or general event? War affects people both as individuals and as a community, so your novel would be realistic either way. For simplicity we establish that it is a personal event, the story of a soldier.
  • When does the event take place? If you have decided to deal with World War II, the answer to this question is obvious, although there are some decisions you need to make at this point. We establish that the story happens now, which leads to the next question: "How is this possible now?". To answer you have to build an initial scenario: your main character has found a diary, the one his grandfather kept during the Second World War. This is a revelation, because the grandfather never returned from the war and no one knows what happened. Perhaps, thanks to the diary, your hero will find the answer.
  • Now you have several questions to answer right away: who - your hero; when - then and now; what - the diary and mystery of a missing person. At this point you still don't know the "why". It will be one of the things you need to find out. Like? This too must be discovered by asking yourself several questions.
• Develop the characters. Start with the obvious. In this case you have already created two characters, the young man and his grandfather. You can determine the characteristics of both simply from the setting and then develop them during the process. Most likely the grandfather was married, so the grandmother should be there too. A generation separates the grandfather from the young man, so one of the latter's parents must be the son or daughter of the grandfather. Do you see how easy it is to give birth to new characters?
• Continue with this technique by expanding the connections between the various characters to create new ones. This is a very good method especially in detective novels. Sometimes you will also need expendable characters to build your story.

• During the process of creating the different figures, you will ask yourself many questions, the same ones that readers will ask: what will happen next? Just use this question to build the plot. Now you know that the young man wants to understand what happened to his grandfather. Having found the diary, reading it he uncovers the story of his grandfather who leads him from a small Kentucky town where he lives with his pregnant wife (grandmother) to the beaches of Normandy where he is wounded behind enemy lines. All this was written in the diary. Grandfather never returned home. With all this information available, you can see questions and patterns that arise:

  • Events happen "nowadays" but also during the war: while the diary is being written, the year is 1944; when the grandson investigates, the setting is contemporary.
  • To add some action to the mystery, the grandson has to do something. Since the grandfather has not returned home, you have to send the boy to Germany to find him, dead or alive.
  • In all this, where was the grandmother?
• Follow this creative path, but at this point you can also take a risk with an attempt at conclusion: the protagonist discovers the reason why the grandfather never returned to Kentucky while the diary did. All you have to do is write down what happened in between!
• Give a "temporal" structure to the draft. Now that you have created the basic story (even if all the words are missing), you need to define the timeline along which the events of the various characters are structured. There are occasions when two or more characters intersect and others when some disappear. Simply define the times when these events happen. This work also helps you to start writing when inspiration falters.

Step 6. Correct the draft without any mercy

If you feel like the story is leading nowhere and you can't do anything to improve it, go back to where it started to lose sense and try something different. The story does not need to respect what you outlined in the first outline of the structure. Sometimes the story "lives a life of its own" and develops independently. As you write, the muse leads you in other directions, follow her, this is the joyful part of writing.

Part 2 of 4: Writing a Novel

Step 1. Write the title of each chapter of the book and decide the content, in this way you do not lose sight of the development of the story

Step 2. Know what the elements of a good novel are

If you want to be a successful writer, think carefully before taking a creative writing course at university (unless you have already done so); you should instead take an Italian literature course. You need to know how to read critically and mindfully before you start writing. If you know how to read critically, then you will have no problems with sentence structure, character distinction, plot creation and character personality development.

• Setting. This term indicates the time, place and circumstances in which the story develops. Obviously, it is not necessary to declare it immediately. Just like a painter, you have to create in the reader's mind the "image" of the story by building it around the subject.

  

  For example: Maria walked along the steep slope that surrounded the castle. Before she had gone too far, one of her father's maids stopped her and told her: "King Ferdinand wants to see you." This sentence suggests that Maria, probably a young woman, lives in a castle. It also makes the reader understand that the story takes place in the Middle Ages. Maria is a Latin name, so it represents another clue about the country where she might live. Finally, "King Ferdinand" is a very precise indication! In fact, King Ferdinand's wife, Isabella of Castile, approved and financed Christopher Columbus' voyage to the New World in 1942, so the story could be set at that time

• Personages.

  Each story has main protagonists and minor characters. It's important to make them interesting and introduce them to the story appropriately. The presentation of the setting and characters is called an introduction.

  

  • There are different types of characters within a book. The protagonist is usually the main one and the one around whom the narrative plot develops. For each protagonist, normally, there is an antagonist, the character who generates the conflict that the story needs to continue. In most cases the villains are the antagonists, although this is not always true.
  • Remember one important thing, very often someone who is bad to someone is actually a hero to another. Regardless of the role they have to play, these characters are important to having a success story.

• The conflict.

  This is a big problem the character has to deal with, usually why the story unfolds.

  

  Perhaps Maria, the king's daughter, was recalled to make the decision whether to allow Christopher Columbus to use Spanish boats and sailors in his adventure. He will have to deal with this problem for most of the book

• The apex.

  This is the point of greatest tension in the whole novel, the moment when the reader holds his breath.

  

  Maybe Maria has just decided not to give Christopher Columbus the Spanish money for his trip when he shows up, begging her to let him go and that he will do anything to get this opportunity. This is the moment when Maria has to make a big decision that determines the rest of the story

• The solution.

  The moment of greatest pathos has ended, the problem has been solved and all the outstanding issues have been concluded. Note: If you're planning on writing a sequel, leave at least one or two situations open.

  

  In our case, Maria decided to satisfy Colombo's requests, to let him leave and even convinced her father to allow her to participate in the trip. It is usually more interesting to the reader that there is an unexpected conclusion, so it is better that the ending is not always predictable

• THE details they are the most important thing when writing a novel. Instead of saying: "The sky was blue" try to describe what shade of blue it is; for example: "The sky had pale indigo shades." This simple description takes your story to another level. However, do not overdo it, here is an example not to follow: "The sky had pale indigo shades, offset by the intense shade of burnt onyx of the sand, punctuated by the effervescent foam of the aquamarine waves."

  

  Overly convoluted descriptions will make you look over the top and pretentious (as you probably will be). You have to be descriptive without weighing the reader down, just adding a poetic touch to the story

Step 3. Develop the storyline

This will give you a starting point to anchor the rest of the story on. It doesn't have to be anything extravagant, just a general idea of what's going to happen. When you are halfway through writing the book, reread the plot you sketched out at the beginning. You will be surprised how your perception of the book has changed. You can make changes to bring the novel back to the original plot or get rid of the first idea and continue on your way. You can also integrate the “old” idea with the new development, remember that it's your book after all.

Step 4. Start writing

This is the best part. If you are having trouble with the initial part, then skip straight to the conflict phase and go from there. Once you feel comfortable with writing, you can add the setting. You will probably change a lot of things during the development of the narrative, because the wonderful aspect of writing is to let the imagination run wild. The only thing you need to remember is that you have to have fun, otherwise your book will become a cylindrical metal container, dotted with brick-colored rust and studded with peeling turquoise latex paint (in other words, an old garbage can).

Step 5. Don't forget to use the notebook only for notes and to organize the structure of the book

It is best to write the text on a computer to create many copies, quickly fix errors and pass it on to the editors.

Part 3 of 4: Writing a Disclosure Book

Step 1. Choose a topic you know or want to study

Your informational book might be about a place the reader wants to visit or offer news about a place in general. It could deal with modern society, with a historical or contemporary character. To differentiate itself from a novel, the popular book must be based on facts.

Step 2. Do your research

It is known that every expert always has at least one new thing to learn! You cannot be omniscient about a subject. If you are having trouble searching or find an obstacle, follow one of these tips:

• Use the Internet. Sometimes it takes some time and in-depth work to get to the information you need, but let search engines around the world help you on your journey to knowledge. Don't just rely on the main articles, but also those that are included in the notes. Ask questions on various forums and other sites where you can meet people who are willing to help and answer you.
• Read another essay that deals with the same topic or is at least related. The author could set the topic in a different way or have a different perspective, he could also have information unknown to you that you will still have to confirm thanks to independent sources.
• Interview an expert. Surely there is at least one person expert in the topic you have chosen, who has made it his reason for living and who knows everything. Look for him, respect the time he will dedicate to you and ask him if there is something unique and interesting on the subject.
• Read the encyclopedia. Sure it's not one of the funniest jobs, but someone has to do it and that someone is you if you want to have all the information you need for the book.

Step 3. Structure your book

The ones that are not published are usually the ones that are not well organized. For example, you cannot discuss, in the same chapter, the best places to fish and the most beautiful beaches in Europe.

Step 4. Add a lot of descriptive details

Nobody wants to read a boring book! Good text is rich in detail and color.

Part 4 of 4: Be Consistent

Step 1. Be stubborn

A boy in Rome stopped a taxi driver and asked him: "How can I get to Cinecittà?" "With practice," replied the taxi driver. Training and practice make perfect. Write consistently, whether it's your story, a thought or an observation. The more you write, the more you will improve. The book doesn't have to be perfect, it doesn't have to be read as much as you would like at the beginning, the most important thing is that it be published. There will be time, in the future, to revise your stylistic approach.

Step 2. Keep asking questions about your motives, story and characters

Everything and everyone within the novel must be there for a specific reason. If you write that the leaves are green, you are suggesting to the reader that the event is set in spring or summer. If you say that the character has a three-day beard, then it could mean that he is in trouble for some reason (or is an actor). Each character must have a valid reason for everything they say or do, so ask yourself the relevant question as you write. "Why is the character about to get on that plane leaving another one alone in Morocco?"

Step 3. Take breaks to check perspective

Writing gets better if you distance yourself from the text. When you go back to the book, most of the time, you notice what "works" and what doesn't, but when you are stuck in the creative phase you are unable to do it. Put a chapter aside for a week and go back to reading it calmly, with a fresh mind.

If you find yourself in the middle of a "writer's block", don't think about the book for a few days and listen to some soothing music to "purify" your mind

Step 4. Ask other people's opinions

Allow someone to read the manuscript, you will have invaluable criticism and advice that will likely help you keep writing.

Step 5. Get rid of what isn't working

You will be surprised how many ideas and situations don't fit. Do not be afraid to delete characters, plots and anything that is not useful for the development of the book. Likewise, don't be afraid to include new elements and characters that seem to fill in the blanks well and make sense of what you write. In the case of an informative text, enter many facts that support your statements!

Step 6. Remember that many authors discard many plots before finding a good enough idea to develop

Think of Veronica Roth, the author of Divergent, who said in her blog that it took at least 48 attempts before she came up with a good idea for the book!

Step 7. Write what you know

This is old advice that may or may not work, it's up to you. However, doing a little research never hurts, there is no need to become a bookworm, but it is essential to know what you are writing. It is also a good exercise: writing about new things helps to generate new ideas!

Step 8. Don't stop writing

Make your mind a volcano of ideas so you will never have an excuse not to write. You don't have to put everything into the story, just those events / characters / details that satisfy the reader. If you get tired of writing and need to stop, take a break and reconnect to the outside world where you can get more ideas. Or try the stream of consciousness, write only to write without making changes or deletions just because "this passage sounds bad"; write down everything that comes into your mind, even if it's just sporadic scenes, rhymes or two words.

Advice

• Remember there are no limits, allow your imagination to adjust to reality.

• Remember the acronym "CLAPS" from English:

  • C: characters - characters.
  • L: location - setting.
  • A: action - action.
  • P: problem - problem around which the story develops.
  • S: solution - solution of the problem.
• For people to want to read a book, it needs to have a good title, a nice cover with interesting images, and of course a compelling opening chapter.
• Don't forget to check and edit the text! If you don't, you'll have a low-level story. Newspaper editors always check and revise the news they are about to publish. People love to read, but they need to feel involved in the story.
• Don't worry more than you should if you decide to change the plot midway through the book. The best ideas never come during the design phase but during the writing of the book. Let the words flow and everything will happen naturally.
• From time to time read a few passages aloud, mistakes and good ideas will be immediately evident.
• Find inspiration by reading other books, watching movies and visiting an art gallery.
• Use your imagination! It is the key to writing a good fiction book.
• Always keep a notebook nearby. If you hear or come to mind an original name, an idea for a plot or something else interesting, write it right away! It could be what will make your book a success!
• Make a sketch of your characters to get an idea of their appearance. It doesn't have to be perfect, just a sketch is enough. It will be easier to write about them.
• Don't be discouraged! If you feel frustrated with the story you are writing, take a break. Work on a short story, article, essay, or make some changes on wikiHow.
• If you've run out of good book ideas, watch a movie or read a novel. You will notice how many suggestions you can extrapolate. Even the movies and television series are full of ideas, even those dedicated to children.
• The text must be corrected for grammar, spelling and in dialogues. You can't write a good novel if you don't master the basics of your language. Use the vocabulary! For example, you could write about a character: "His carefree days were now over." However the father, formal and rigid, would express himself in this way: "Look now what is the price of your indifference, Ofelia!". If your reader needs to broaden their vocabulary, your book can teach them something. However, it should be noted that "big words" should not be used inappropriately. You will no longer seem erudite if, in your story, you write that the young woman was a "pedagogue" instead of a "primary school teacher". And avoid making the reader feel like a fool, treat him as your equal.
• Don't worry too much about the topic! There is no problem if you change your mind and start over with a completely new plot.
• Write about what you know, especially if you don't know how to get started. The most successful authors have written bestsellers based in part on experiences they have actually lived (or have happened to people they know very well).
• Do your best as you write. Don't expect to produce a book that smashes the sales charts on the first try! It takes practice and patience to become perfect. The more you write, the more details you will be able to refine.
• If you have decided to write a historical novel, refer to something that really happened! The choice of names is also important, using Agostino, Ennio, Flavio, Lavinia and Giustiniana instead of Marco, Noemi, Federica and Giorgio. Try to use ancient names!
• Ask other authors or even your parents to help you. They might have great ideas!
• For your characters, you need to come up with names that are easy to remember or imposing. But be careful not to fall into the bizarre or ridiculous, sometimes exaggerating a bit can help, but avoid too funny names. For example, could there be a series of seven books and eight films based on the adventures of Enrichetto Lipodemo?
• If you ever get stuck and can't think of new ideas, just start writing. If your writer's block is really "severe", use the fictional story in this article to start getting the words flowing; it could be an introduction or a "source of inspiration".
• Writer's block it is a state that no one would like to live in. Make sure you have something that inspires you like fake jewelry. Animals can also be "muses". If you have two different pets, come up with a character that is their mix, even in name. This could help to continue writing the book. The important thing is to have something at hand that rekindles the flame of inspiration.
• Try writing a book that tells about a daily topic that happens in your real life and let your imagination run wild.
• The great writer Stephen King states that to write well you have to read at least four hours a day. Find the amount of reading time that fits your needs. Each author has a precise moment of the day during which he thinks he is most productive; from very early in the morning (which guarantees peace and tranquility), to the morning (because the energies are at its maximum) or to the afternoon (when you feel more industrious) and even at night. It's all about personal tastes and only you can understand what is right for you.
• Consider buying good word processing software / computer program. Office is the most common, but sometimes this program can be confusing and stressful. If you don't like interfacing with this program, choose something simpler like OpenOffice, Zoho Docs or Kingsoft Office. If you only need a word processor you can also evaluate AbiWord which is free, versatile, intuitive and does not weigh down the computer.

• Try reading books about writing. If you are a boy (but also an adult) here are some suggestions:

  • Elements of Style in the Writing of William Strunk Jr translated by Stefania Rossi.
  • Creative Writing Cookbook by Stefano Brugnolo and Giulio Mozzi.
  • Il Bello Writing by Enrico Rulli.
  • Bice Mortara Garavelli Punctuation Handbook.
  • No Four Money Tricks by Marco Cassini, translated by Riccardo Duranti.
  • How James Wood's Novels Work.
  • Angelo Marchese's Tale Workshop.
• If you are stuck on an idea, close your eyes, calm down and let your imagination run wild.

Warnings

• Be certain of your research. You have to be sure that you are not writing a book that already exists.
• Be open to criticism. That said, don't get too downhearted if the text isn't beautiful.
• A person who is about to write his first book should be consistent without worrying about time and money. It may not be a success, but it is an opportunity to learn from your mistakes.
• Avoid plagiarism (copying someone else's book). Even if you do it in an artistic and imaginative way, someone will eventually be able to extrapolate all the copied parts and then put them together. For some, it's a fun challenge to find out who's copying.

• You need to be sure you like what you are writing. From time to time ask yourself these questions:

  • Do I like what I wrote?
  • It is funny?
  • Do I love my main character?

  And especially:

  • • Do I want to write?

      Remember, it's not a good idea to write just because someone asked you to. Write because you want it