So I've been roleplaying for a while and have had partners who have published their own writing and am ready to begin writing my first novel but I always find myself stumped and don't know how to figure out what I'm missing so I thought this would be a perfect idea to invite all types of writers to share their ideas and thoughts while some of us have the opportunity to ask questions.

My first question would be, Should I use a character sheet?

TheLastRunaway said
My first question would be, Should I use a character sheet?

The simplest answer is, you should do anything that you think might help. Some writers do better when they have a plan (be that character sheets, story outlines, or sometimes even pictures and soundtracks for specific scenes). Others sorta play it by ear -- 'Seat of the pants' is the phrase people use, just flowing naturally from one plot point to the next.

It's counter-productive to speak in generalities, but generally, most people wind up writing way, way more material than makes it into the final draft. Whether that's in the form of planning and outlines, or just deleted scenes -- you should expect to write lots and lots of extra stuff that isn't ultimately going to be used. So with that in mind, it's not like writing a sheet is a waste of your time. It can help you keep things organized, and that's usually helpful -- but not always. It might also make your characters too static, if you keep coming back to the same big pile 'o' facts.

I use a writing program that lets me keep several files open at once (LSB), and one of the advantages is that it's super easy to keep notes on like a bunch of characters all at once. I don't really use it for 'character sheets' in the RP-sense, but it's nice to be able to keep active notes on whatever's happening in the narrative at the time. If I get an idea for something the character might be thinking, but not saying/doing yet, then I can put it in their file and pull it out later. That's what works for me -- your answer is probably going to be different.

As a published author of poetry, short stories, flash fiction and a single novella, I will give you this single piece of advice; write everyday. Write whatever you want. For every word of gold you will write a thousand of rubbish. Yet buried within the useless tangle of thoughts will be the gold. I once wrote a speech which in turn inspired a short story, Poems can spring from a single image. Let the telling of the tale, the conveying of the message and the commentary on the subject itself be the purpose of writing. Also, never give up, keep trying and learn to accept rejection.

If there's one thing I know, never, ever give up.

And never stop writing. If you feel like you're a terrible writer, remember this: authors far worse than you have not just been published, but became best sellers that we're all too familiar with. You're not the worst, and even then you still have a chance.

Thanks guys!

Published poet here... I concur with the others who have so far commented. Just Write!