Q&A for How to Write a Book As a Teenager

Go for it! If you're new to writing, consider starting out with flash fiction, which is usually between 1500 and 2000 words, before jumping into a full-length book. You can publish your flash fiction in a variety of places, like online and in magazines. There are even competitions you can enter to win prizes.

Go through baby naming websites, as they have many lists of names and meanings that could give you ideas for character names.

It depends on how quickly you write. Try for around 600-1,000 words per day. The length of a novel is around 70,000-90,000 words. At that rate, it will be finished in 70-100 days. You can go faster or slower, but if you keep to a good schedule, and include editing, you could be finished in 4-5 months.

Self-publishing is much easier and faster, but you are unlikely to get many readers. If you want a larger audience, find a literary agent to look it over before sending it to a publisher.

You could write a dedication on the first page of the book explaining why the book was written for your teacher.

Independently publishing a book is usually free if done online. However, you still need to get advertising to get your book out there. In terms of publishing a hardcover, you can look up the prices for vanity publishing, which vary greatly depending on whom you choose and where the publishing is done. You also need to account for distributing the book yourself.

Staying motivated is hard, but if you're truly passionate about your story, you'll want to see it through to the end. Keep rereading what you've written to keep your head in the world of your story and stay mentally engaged. Set aside a time each day to work toward completing it, so you don't get distracted and lose interest. You might also consider writing the book with a friend, as this can help both of you stay motivated.

Join a writer's club or group. Having peer support to continue your efforts is often helpful. Have a set time to write each day, so that even if you don't feel like writing or aren't feeling especially inspired about your idea on a given day, you have to discipline yourself to at least put something down.

Good titles are often hard to figure out. Wait until you are finished writing before you make a title. You can name it after characters, whether it is their names or something about them or who they are. You can name it about the plot or hint at the plot. Or you can name it after the morals in the story (if there are any).

First know your characters. You have your idea, now develop your characters. Then you can find a scene that works and imagine how each character will react. With luck and perseverance, a story will grow!

You could try changing the character just enough to remove any distinct, recognizable traits.

It depends. Some people like to make their chapters short and sweet (about a page), while others stretch them through a bunch of pages. Try to find the perfect length for you.

Sometimes the publisher decides on the title, but you can suggest titles to them. Think about a subject of the story, the main character(s), an underlying theme, etc. that you want to highlight and use that as an inspiration for your title. If you need more help, check out this article: How to Create a Good Story Title .

You can if it is not for profit, like fanfiction, but if you want to publish it, you either company the developers and ask for permission, or you cannot.

No, of course not! As long as you're not exactly copying what they look like or exposing any personal information, you should be fine. Maybe change their name, how they look, or give them a personality trait or hobby that they don't have in real life.

If you really don't want to write a series, you should shorten your plot. Cut down on any unnecessary plot twists, backstories, etc. Maybe even eliminate a character or two. Streamline everything until you feel like you've got a project you can actually finish.

It's normal to have those feelings. No writer would ever publish anything if they let their feelings of nervousness stop them. Just know that some people are not going to like what you write. It's inevitable! Go ahead anyway. Be ready to learn from whatever feedback you receive.

Cliches. Everyone knows the predictable cliches (such as damsel in distress, knight in shining armor, etc.). Try to make your fantasy unpredictable and avoid such ideas. On the other hand, if you are writing a classic fantasy, you may want to incorporate some cliches into your story, but change enough details to make it fresh and interesting.

You should try writing the genre that you enjoy reading the most. This will make writing the book more exciting for you, and you can think about your favorite books in that genre and ask yourself what the authors did successfully to make the book a good one. This will help you when you're writing.

Get your friends and family to read your story and ask for their honest opinion. If it's not interesting, rewrite some of the parts or add more interesting details and plot twists in your final drafts.

You don't need to name your chapters if you don't want to, numbers are just fine.

Your character's emotions are very important. Write about how they are feeling, and if you don't want to do that, write about what they're doing as the dialogue progresses. Always remember, dialogue should only be used when it adds to your plot. Too much can make the story lengthy and boring. The small details can really count!

Try changing the character's name, their appearance, or giving them personality traits or hobbies that the real person doesn't have. If you're still worried they will figure out it's them and be upset, it would be best to just not include them in your book.

Take a risk and start writing. Write a couple of chapters and show them to your friends and family. Ask them to give you an honest critique. If they like what you wrote, then you know you're on to something.

Tell your family about your decision to begin writing a book, and set aside writing time for yourself each day or week, depending on what's best for you. Remember, even though writing a book is a big and important project, you shouldn't neglect your family or other responsibilities for it.

There are title generators online, but the truth is, a title is mostly the plot of your story shortened in a few words. Most people write titles at the end.

There are plot generators online, use your imagination, think of ‘what if’, go outside for a walk, keep a diary and ask others are ways to find the right plot.

You can tell them anytime you prefer. You can choose not to tell your parents as well.