thoughts on writing first book?

I'm looking to start writing a book. I want it to be semi-autobiographical and I have a ton of ideas. What is the best way to outline your thoughts before you start? Obviously, this will take time to complete, but it would be great to have a solid structure before I start writing. Any comments are appreciated.

 

So we're talking a memoir here or a novel? What does "semi-autobiographical" mean?

 

I guess it would be more of a memoir...I hope this doesn't sound stupid...but what is the difference between a memoir and a novel?

 

a novel is generally considered fiction and a memoir is generally a true story involving the writer, unless you are james frey, and then all generalities are off.

 

I would spend your time making an outline of each year that you can remember in your life, or important moments. A lot of my poetry comes from outlines that I write after having a bad moment. The more you write about your feelings, the easier the pages will come.

 

People serious and talented enough to write a book probably do not come here for advice. Don't take that the wrong way; I'm not saying you're not talented enough to write a book. I just find it odd that you would come here for advice. I'm guessing most wannabe authors have people around them to answer those questions. As usual, I could be way off in my assumption.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

I'd be interested to hear some responses on this, too. Let's say you've covered a beat for, like, 15 years and you want to write a memoir type book about your experiences, including lots of interesting things you know that never got into print.

What's your first step? (And second and third, for that matter)

 

I disagree. It's craft, not therapy. This is why most people don't get past the query letter in this genre.

 

For anyone with book writing questions - practical or philosophical - we've got a running Authors' Thread on the Writers' Workshop board. Look for it and bump it back up the page. You'll find advice there from a group of experienced book wrestlers. Trust me, they're fantastically happy to take time off from their own deadline miseries to answer your questions.

 

It is a craft, but also it is therapy. Frank McCourt wrote a bunch of his books about the death of his mother, so that obviously hurt him. A lot of great war writers wrote books after they came back from the war and the horrors they have seen. Writing is a way to get thoughts out, and many a time, getting out angry or sad thoughts leads to greater works.

 

I guess what I'm saying is that your misery won't carry the day. You have to think about the reader first, yourself second. Otherwise it's JUST therapy.

 

Find someone who wants to publish it so you can make money from it.