To write a best seller, you have to live in the story you are writing… another place and in another time.
In your real life, your life maybe humdrum:
The story you want to write about is on another dimension, in different circumstances, beyond your quiet simple lifestyle. How then, do you write about stuff that will thrill other people, when your own life is so boring?
You have to live in the time-warp of your story. Think and behave like you are actually in those circumstances.
Considering conditions:
- First you have to know the theme gentry you want to write about. Is it an adventure story, romantic novel, thriller, etc. What is required of the gentry? What circumstances will the characters be playing in?
- What the history, place and conditions would be like on that time line. If it goes back in time your will have to look up the history of that time.
- Consider the fashions people wore then and the animals, birds, etc that lived then. What would their transport be like then, and the perils they’re likely to face?
But what about futuristic stuff?
You have to think up unknown stuff `out of the top of your head’! Things people have never experienced or seen before! Scary way-out stuff!
This might sound silly, but you can start with what you know, what you desire or intent to write about. Once you have a vague setting in mind, you can elaborate on it and play around with it. This is how you do that:
Start writing:
Write anything, even if it’s a lot of trot. Silly weird nonsense can get you started writing. Perhaps it’s an outlandish thought you’ve had for years, that you can now play around with.
- And playing around with those words and sentences gets your thoughts moving. This exercise prevents you from having writer’s block. But keep in mind this is just an exercise that you can trash later.
- But somewhere in that so-called `trash’, there will be something that sparks off the `true’ story, that you can possibly base your real story on later.
- So any time you get stuck in your story and don’t know what next to write, start writing silly-trash again, whatever comes to your mind! You can always eliminate or even use some of it later!
No bother, you’re the ‘guy’ that’s in control, aren’t you?!
Picture the place:
You can gather visual-aid pictures from old magazines to give you something to work on. Or do what I do. I paint the scenes (in watercolour) as I think up the story. It confirms the settings of the plot in my mind.
Watercolours are quicker to do than oil painting. And I love the subtle atmospheric conditions watercolours can produce! The more subtle the blurriness of the washes, the more thought provoking they are for me. The vagueness stirs your imagination… like it could be this or that, whatever the scene suggests.
Know personality traits:
We discussed in an earlier blog, about creating characters for your stories. So I won’t go into that right now.
But you have to know your characters and how they would behave in certain conditions and circumstances. One way is to look up the characteristics of the zodiac, for the possible behaviour of the type of person you have in mind.
Now live there:
You have to `live’ in your story, in order to feel the emotions and see what your characters going through.
I paint different types of scenes, like stormy scenes, dark starry nights, rocky shores and mysterious caves, etc. It sets the mood for me. And people respond emotionally to moody dramatic settings.
There is so much to talk about here.
So I’ll continue with this topic in my next `Writing Best seller Books’ blog… “Think wild thoughts!”
Those are great tips for future writers. Like some of the commentators have suggested, I also think that writing in some genres require a special talent. Some people have the ability to reproduce worlds without ever having been even close, others (like myself) have a hard time spinning the tales and the details even when the source material is part of my background.
That being said,it is good to have available some of the steps you have so generously provided, so that whenever the muses come for a visit we can make them stay :)
Thanks for submitting a comment I can relate to. I really nice to get appreciative comments, but I'm really a shy person and not used to praise.
But with your comment it's how you express yourself by adding how you relate to the blog. It makes it easier to reply to your comment. Thank you.
I know exactly how you feel. I've have that problem. That's why I write about it. I'm trying to pass on what I've learnt how to use my imagination and emotions to think up stuff to write. I'm still working at it. So keep trying, in time you will master it.
Thank you very much. I try not to get obssessed with it. I had been trying to work on a long story for Halloween, but it just did not work.
It's like singing. Some people are blesses with a voice for talking, others with a voice for singing. One can learn a thing or two about sol-faing, but we may not be able to sing before an auditorium.
Peace of mind also helps, although I know from the bios of some famous writers that many great works of literature were produced under strenuous circumstances. But those are case where talent (the gift) precluded crises. Chances are that a crisis igntes hidden talents. Despite my current restless state of mind, I have probably noy been facing my greatest crisis yet :)
Excellent writing and excellent. I am very impressed with your writing and books and I will always be happy to read your useful publications in all respects
great post @artguru
But I would like to know what interests you most. This will help me, to help you more effectively in future blogs!
Thank you for the writing tips and tricks of @artguru! But on the other hand, can you share knowledge for me: Why is oil painting more difficult than watercolors? 🙏
Water drys far quicker than oils. Therefore watercolour paintings dry quicker than oil paintings.
And because oils don't dry quickly, you have to wait for each layer of paint to dry before you lay another layer of oil paint over it. And then you may paint more than 2-3 layers of paint, perhaps 4 or 6 layers, in the drying process before your oil painting is complete.
Whereas watercolours usually takes 1-3 layers . I like using a raw sienna undercoat if I want a mellow romantic atmospheric watercolour. And if I use liquid masking before painting the block-in layer stage, that means that the masking and the block-in layer has to dry, before I can remove the masking and fill in the blank spots, for highlights, etc.
Thank you @artguru! Increasing my knowledge today. 🙏
I do not want to comment on your writing.
Because you have always been a good writer. Today, I have taken a different look at your oil painting. I appreciated of your oil painting.taile
The icon image I use for writing best seller books, as above, isn't an oil painting. So I presume you went back to look at my travel log series to look at those paintings. Yes I put a lot of work into painting those paintings and put them in my blogs.
Agreed that
I suppose one has to have somewhere to hook your thoughts on. You see, if you have always wanted to write a book, you must have had some idea of what you would have based your story on in the first place. So it's wise to start from that point.
This is very informative post and I gather knowledge about story writing thanks for sharing this your activities..
I appreciate you complements, but what more would you like me to write about?
Visiting different place os such a nice feelings. Writing story or something is a special talent
Yes, in the process of writing stories, we visit places in our mind's eye. Therefore it can be fun to experience what our characters experience in those make-believe scenes.
Do not sad about when you trash in writing.
Try hard and know.the basic skills about writing.
It can be hard-going to write a story if you don't take time to enjoy the experiences and places you are writing about. And adding funny stuff makes it more enjoyable for the reader too!
So very excited post really I happy when read your post ..
Very great post..
Thanks for sharing your valuable story..
I will wait for your next story
Glad you enjoyed it, but I would like to hear how you relate to it? What else would you like me to talk on?
Wow just a very good story @artguru so very good for your writing skill I love this your writings..
Thanks a lot for sharing your details..
Thanks for your complement, love sharing things with you, but would like to know from your point of view, how you relate to this blog?
Just a great post one I appreciate your post my dear friend so I am proud you cause your every content just good and helpful for us ..so carry on your activities..so this your contribution just marvelous I think that your post very informative and helpful for us..
Keep it up..
Thanks, but what really interests you? How has this blog actually helped you? Where can I help you in future?
You have to determine first to write story.
So you will be no trash.
Yes, if you have no wish to write a book, it will never happen! So you will never have to trash it!! ;)
Very nice article...I do love writing my own reflection of what i did in the past and my personal experiences, but I also want to be an author too...Thank you for this.
So whats keeping you from writing your first book? If it doesn't turn out as great as you thought, it means you've had some experience to start with. The more you write, the more you understand the problems involved. And as time goes on, you perfect your style and grammar, etc, making it possible to produce a best seller one day.
Your every writing post so very informative and attachment..so happy for sharing this your story..
I didn't mean it as a story. I've been trying to help folks how to think up and write better stories! How to use their imagination etc.
Writing the most fun is writing when we go to visit a place because there is an element of honesty and we can write like running water.
Isn't that right, @artguru?
I so liked your description of writing like running water. If you're writing about make-believe places and things, you're having so much fun, that your words just tumble and flow like water. And water flowing down stream and into rivers and the sea... that water is going places!
I am very glad to read this beautiful story.I think you always try write better something..
So,,,Thanks a lot sharing this great post
Thanks for saying this was a great post. But why are people referring to it as a story?
Hey @artguru congratulations for your valuable story to provide in this platform ... great post to share always so all people appreciate your post..
Just it..
I know the keyword or tag I used and included was `story', but it wasn't a story as such. It was how to think up and write best seller stories.
Superb story madam @artguru
Thanks for sharing your valuable story ..
Carry on your activities .
Keep it up
Thank you for your complement, but it wasn't a story. I was trying to help folks how to think up and write stories! So what was it that you learnt from this blog?
Wow amazing story just I like it so very to write your skill I appreciate your post.. keep it up..
Thanks. But what did you get out of it?
Your every post I follow always and your every post so very amazing and extra ordinary I am happy now to provide your attractive post .
Thanks for sharing @artguru
Thanks, but how did it provide and benefit you? In which way?
Thanks a lot for sharing your valuable post and I appreciate your post @artguru..
I will wait for your next post..
Love sharing with you, but what would you like me to write about in future that you would like to know more about?
Most welcome to steemit my dear friend. that's great story. I appreciate it. good writing.. thanks for sharing... best of luck
Good to have you here too. But I would like to know what else I could write about in future, that would benefit you in some way?
Thanks you @artguru.. I am your every post appreciate it.. I like your every comment... best of luck in your every post....
Agreed. Life should be consciously lived in other not to pass us by. We all should pay more attention to the things we do daily
But what gripped your attention, with this blog?
A topic of great magnificence and beauty shows that you are a great writer
Thank you. But what is it, that you thought was so important?
Talented persons writing the stories.Everyone is talented.Works very hard in your life.Succuss coming in your life.I really like both paintings oil and water.Both painting looks so wonderful.And the artist draw the painting with heart and efford.Hardworking is the key of success in everypart of life.Thanks fir sharing @artguru.
You know people are not naturally born with talent. Talent grows with plenty practice. The more you love what you are doing and work at it, it's bound to improve, because your full heart and soul is in it!
It is best tips..... thanks for sharing
Whatever I've learnt over the years from making mistakes, I feel I should share how to do it better with others.
Mistake is the part of learning...
Oil painting is no dout very difficult . But the way you draw it is really appreciable. Keep it up.
Thank you. Hope there will always be something here that you can enjoy.
Yip, if you don't know what type of story you are going to write about, you have no foundation to work on. And even better if you've had some experience in that field of topic. If you don't, your plot will fall flat before you even start.