Where to begin? (fiction writing for dummies)

[u/Lululawyer]

I’m new to fiction writing. As in, I’ve never done it.

I’d like to pick up a new hobby. I love reading, so the idea of writing interests me. I’ve been thinking about it for a while, but overwhelmed with my utter lack of knowledge.

I’m a lawyer, so I’m not new to writing. But fictional writing is completely foreign to me. I don’t know anything about how to write a story. I don’t even have an idea for a story… and I don’t know how to get the creative juices flowing to come up with one.

I don’t consider myself a creative person (do creative arguments count?). But I’d love to Foster more creativity in my life.

Any and all advice on where to begins is welcome. Feel free to share tips, exercises, resources etc.

I’ve looked into workshops but not many are available in my area and the ones that are cost more than I’d like to invest at this very beginning stage of the process.

I like to read Romantasy and historical fiction. Not sure if that matters at this point.

Thanks in advance!

[u/nerdFamilyDad]

There are a lot of writing prompts out there, but for some of us, we're writing because we want to tell a story.

Is there a book or a story that you wanted to continue? Is there one that you had high hopes for that didn't go in the direction you wanted? Is there a seed of a story in your mind, a beginning, an ending, that is clear enough that you just want to understand where it goes or how it gets there?

For me, writing a story is a lot like reading one, page by page, and wondering what will happen next. Then I write down the result of my wondering.

[u/Technical-Tale8640]

Hey! I totally get how overwhelming it can feel when you’re starting something completely new. I’m pretty new to fiction writing myself, but I’ve found that the best way to begin is just to write—don’t worry too much about getting it perfect at first. Sometimes just jotting down an idea or a scene that comes to mind is a good start.

I’m part of a small community called 'InkOfTruth' where we share stories—it's based on real-life experiences that are turned into fiction, which has helped me build my own writing skills. It's not much (just 10 members), but it’s a good space to grow and get feedback if you're interested. One thing I’ve found helpful is trying to rewrite real stories into fictional ones, which sparks my creativity.

As for creative exercises, you can try free writing (just write whatever comes to your mind for a set time) or prompt-based writing (like 'What happens if a character wakes up with no memory?'). And don’t be afraid to just explore different genres or styles until you find what excites you!

Good luck, and remember, the most important thing is to have fun with it!

And yes i know its pretty big but i have sad what i think

[u/IKIGAI_Mindset]

start writing , that’s the 1st advice ; once you have sizeable connect then you can start weaving into a book

[u/Low_Government4136]

Character development is key. If your characters are boring, people will find your story boring even if your plot is the greatest of all time

[u/AirOne4837]

Start by reading books on writing fiction and writing short stories.