<p>I have been pondering over this for a while; I want to work on a big project in my years at college. And this is not just a passing fancy, its been an idea for a while. So I am asking, has anyone considered writing a novel/book in their undergrad years? If so, what, and how? I have great interest in politics and that is the field that I would most likely produce the best work in.</p>
<p>sounds like a great idea... I would do it but don't quite have the time</p>
<p>IDK, I feel like I need guidance though. What the hell, I do need guidance.</p>
<p>I am keen on writing my family's (actually clan's) history, and our integration from an Indian society, to an African, to an American. And of course the effects of globalization, religion - society conflicts, generation gaps, etc. </p>
<p>That's my feel right now. Who do you think I should ask for advice?</p>
<p>DO IT DO IT! And with luck you'll make you first 3 million before you turn 25. Yay :)</p>
<p>There's no advice anyone can really give you besides set a time each day to start writing. It doesn't have to be written from the beginning, you can start at whatever section you would like to like about then head back or forward. When you think you're done, look up some agents or ask an English professor to recommend an agent or editor to review the work and get it published. You can also get it published online for a small fee for in a small publishing firm. </p>
<p>Good luck :D</p>
<p>I really feel I should start, but you can imagine my anxiousness. I want to think it through before I realize, I simply cannot. My main inhibition is, how do you have enough material to cover the length of a book? Do you make it a narrative, or a dialogue, because I don't want to keep telling, I want to show by example. It cannot end up being a long ramble that dies off... It needs to be full of truth and realization.</p>
<p>I think you should do it. I already know I'll be attempting to write a book before I graduate from undergrad. Granted, my college is extremely conducive to that kind of project -- our senior year is spent as a "thesis year" in a sense. Start researching! You don't have to go into the project already knowing how you're going to write it. The fact that you have a topic that is personal and interesting is a great place to start. Good luck!</p>
<p>I want free autographed copies of all your books when you guys finally write + publish them ^^</p>
<p>Thank you for your encouragement so far.
But I feel kind of lost right now. I think reading novels with similar ideas, like culture or religion, would help me find my own way. Can you guys recommend books that seem to do this?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Regarding the original post- I'm a high school senior, and I've been writing fiction (novels and short stories) for over 4 years. Writing a novel takes dedication, and it takes time (time that could be spent doing other things- for me, that often means choosing to write instead of watching TV). Don't give up if it's been a month and you only have a few pages. It will come to you. Before you actually write, have a plan for what you're going to write- whether it's a synopsis of a few sentences, or a long and detailed outline. What I usually do is get a general idea of what the story is about, then I start writing. After I've written a few chapters, I usually have a better idea of what's going to happen. Then I usually decide how it's going to end, and write the ending (the final chapter). Once I know how it ends, I can get a better, clearer idea of how I'll get there.
But people are different, so do whatever works for YOU. You might have to try a few things to find something that fits you best.</p>
<p>You have to find time to write. Some days you won't find time to write- I know I've had times when I'm so busy, I literally don't have time to write anything for almost a week. But, always be thinking about what you're writing.</p>
<p>One of my friends from school was published... fall of his freshman year, and another novel after graduation. So, it is definitely possible.</p>
<p>If you feel like you could benefit from some direction, you could consider taking a Creative Writing class before you actually start writing on your novel.</p>
<p>You should also know that everyone with MS Word thinks they can be published. You're really going to have to focus on distinguishing yourself from the crowd and know that an absurdly small percentage of would-be writers make it the publishing house.
Best of luck and don't give up if it's something you truly want to do.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice. I do truly want to do it, and I can only offer a compilation of what I feel, and hopefully that will be appealing enough.</p>
<p>But I really need to know, if you are writing a biography, or something similar, do you have to use the actual names? I am sort of afraid of putting everyone I know out in the open. Well, not everyone, but those passed, and my family etc.</p>
<p>I do have a direction. I am starting to feel the theme as I continue to think and take notes. But I feel I should read a lot more first.</p>
<p>
[quote]
do you have to use the actual names?
[/quote]
No. Using pseudonames is fairly common in in non-fiction, and while I don't know much about the publishing business, I can't imagine publishers would have a problem with it. Sometimes they take issue with authors using real names.</p>
<p>You definitely don't have to use real names. I suggest you read Truman Capote's In Cold Blood. I know it's not a biography or cultural or religious, but his approach to non-fiction is something everyone should experience. This is the type of book I plan on perusing, and I feel as though it could help you grasp a certain approach to writing that you may like. But you're right, keep reading things! A huge part of being a writer is being a reader.</p>