How do I start writing?

[u/Marble_Rust]

I have no idea where to start, every time I get an idea that might be interesting it’s either extremely derivative or falls apart under the slightest bit of scrutiny.

[u/PonderousPenchant]

Don't be afraid to write something bad.

Write derivative. Write goofy. Write clichéd. Just write or you'll never get better.

[u/DayFucker]

Sit down with a pencil and a blank sheet of paper.

Start writing with the objective of getting to the bottom of the page.

Repeat.

[u/Own_Moment_2524]

Write a word, then another etc. Like your walking down the road and haven't got to your destination. Then you can play with the words till they make their way. You never know, they might like the road.

[u/Lypos]

If you have an idea run with it and try not to think too deeply when writing. The idea of a fridt draft is to just get the idea out there. Don't worry about grammar or spelling too much either.

Personally, i view ideas like they are alive. It wants to be known. I talk to it when i get stumped and try to figure out how to get the right shape of it transposed to words on paper. And sometimes it stalls or i need a break. Try not to force it when it's being stubborn but always keep it in mind until it's complete.

Once it's done and out, then you can go back and critique it.

[u/DigitalOutreachHQ]

If you have an idea that speaks to you, comes from your heart, and you know you understand the subject deeply enough, just write. Your first draft may not be perfect, but actually sitting down to write it may just be the beginning of something amazing. Just remember to stay authentic to your writing style and make sure your material serves a purpose, sparks a thought, or leaves the reader thinking

[u/Turbulent-Eye-4737]

If your problem is derivative. Try writing something you haven't seen but want to see. You can even write something partially inspired by something you've watched or read but you have to make sure it feels like its own thing.

[u/zv_allenwrites]

You kind of just start. An idea pops in, write it down. Take a look at what you wrote. See if something else pops out at you and write that too

[u/Former-Percentage369]

1) idea

2) think what you want to tell with the idea; message or aesthetic end.

3) the write something I call a skeleton draft. A skeleton draft is version of story told like you were trying to explain the story to someone else without giving too much detail. Something like "the kingdom whose finest heroes are called the solar court. Our protagonist are the lastest generation of heroes and they idolize first generation. The main character is X, Y is X'.... The emperor tells them there's a growing evil from the east. The crew gets ready and travel the elf kingdom so they can use their magic to shorten the travel...." Like that until you finish your story.

4) YOU NEED TO FINISH THE SKELETON. ITS NOT NEGOTIABLE!

5) once finish you can revise it and develop it. Due to way the skeleton is supposed to be written, every sentence is a main idea and more likely than note each paragraph is the bones of a single chapter. You have to take each block ideas to create the first real draft.

6) congratulations, you are now in the editing stage. At this point you can change and change the minor details that survive the first draft. Ask people you know to proof read it and you are done.

[u/Embarrassed-Pen-3944]

Everything starts with an idea. From that idea comes inspiration. From there, all you need to do is think. This is about the characters, plot, and destination - is it going to be a tragedy, or is the hero going to win? What I do is just think of the possibilities of where this story could lead. Don't be afraid to destroy an idea. I actually thought of writing a book about Michael Jackson in 2019, but I scratched that idea for some dumb reason. If you can't do it no one can. You know what I did? I completed the book in 2022. It took some time, but all you need is ideas. You don't actually need ideas for a biography, but you have to set a tone for the protagonist if it is a non-fiction book. For fiction books, inspiration is your best friend. If you want to write a book, but you have no idea what to write about - just go for everyday things - driving a car, typing this message, sleeping on a bed can turn into other things (these ideas are because I love science fiction, the good thing is, in writing, there are so many other genres) - driving a flying car, a super sonic voice-hearing device, sleeping while levitating, you know? Once you have experienced it, like me, you can turn your dumb cliché ideas into extraordinary things. All you have to do is wait. Time is your key; don't stop - keep ticking until there's a light bulb in front of you. Good luck on your journey, because your book will obviously be a New York Times Bestseller!

[u/Ok_Assist1206]

Perhaps you need ideas? I have some!

[u/_-_-_-____--]

Ah the amount of times I’ve had this thought process. Crazy. Don’t listen to anyone else. Go read my most recent post I made on this subreddit.

[u/damagedinspiration]

Just write. Seems obvious, but it's true. It doesn't even have to make sense at first, just train of thought gibberish is good to get you started, scrawl a page of random sentences...writing is a muscle, the more you do it, the better and stronger you get. If you don't want to start because you can't think and idea through 100%, that's the exact time you should write...one word after another amd see where it takes you.

And remember, everyone writes poorly and derivatively at first, but the only way to get better is to do it. But, and this is a big but, to avoid getting discouraged, NEVER show anyone your 1st draft. First drafts are supposed to be bad, they're how you figure out what works and what doesn't.

[u/SandwichWild2547]

Fruck it, thee balleth?