How to write a book

In order to write a book you should choose a basic topic, theme, setting, characters, etc. When you have mulled over the basics, you should then figure out what the ending to your story will be. Write that ending down because that's your end goal. You can jot down a few notes, but when you start writing be ready to discard anything except the ending. Make sure that whatever you write leads to the ending you have already written. Don't worry about drafts though, because you are going to do it right the first time. If you write a book that stinks, then don't go back to fix it. Write a new book using everything you've learned. While you are writing you might have some ideas about revision. Forget them. If you have an idea that changes your book, go back to the earliest point affected by the change and start writing again from there. You'll remember all of the important details as you rewrite (as opposed to revising) and the new material will keep the natural energy that comes from the first draft.

That's what I learned from attending a writing conference with Orson Scott Card. He's an author that I respect very much, but bwuh....Huh?
But wait, let's try something else.

In order to write a book you should outline like crazy. Work out the entire plot and then stick to it. The characters you are creating should never lead you away from what you've set down. You're the author, you tell what they do, not the other way around. If you come to a problem during the story just note it and come back in the revisions. Fix it in post, as they say in the movie business.

This is what I've gathered by listening to Brandon Sanderson, another author I respect very much. But wait...

 In order to write a book you should sit down at the keyboard, or a pad of paper and just write. Create your characters as you go. You might have some idea of where the story is going, but don't be disappointed if it goes somewhere else entirely. That's the fun of writing a book. If you know what is going to happen then why write? That's boring. The characters, setting, anything in the book will inspire you to move forward. Just keep pushing through until you discover the end. When you are finished go back and revise. You'll be revising for a while. It's the worst part, but just push through and people will love what you give them.

This is a paraphrasing of advice that I've hear from a few other authors. But wait...

In order to write a book you have to look at basic structure and conflict. Structure comes from the natural experience that we all have in life. We encounter an idea, struggle with it, and then resolve it. Conflict comes from these new ideas or events and is strengthened by involving various characters, settings, themes, events, or ideas. Start with the basics by choosing a setting (this includes politics, religion, social mores, or anything that affects the characters) When you are plotting out your book there is a basic structure you should follow....

HOLD IT!

Ok. I can't go into all of the ways that people write books. Kevin J. Anderson dictates his books onto a tape recorder while he's hiking (lucky!). Some people start with the end in mind, some people just write. Some authors say that revising is key, while others say to throw away the original and rewrite. And here's the thing that gets me. I like the outcome from lots of them. The bottom line is that I don't care how a book is written, or how a short story manages to eke its way out of your brain and onto the page. I will only see the end result. I will not often judge you on how you write, but I will judge your work because as a reader that is the point in the process that I get to take part in.

Now, that doesn't help you as a writer. Or does it? I think that you can take something from all of these writers. But you have to start taking things first.

This post is getting long, so I'll tell you about my method tomorrow.