So something I noticed that's pretty common these days is authors tend to just drive right on through the doors in the first chapter without telling the location right off the bat. For example in TDF Harry tells us he's a wizard in chapter 1 but a lot of the backstory details are filled in later throughout the book.

So my question would have to be is there a reason authors do this? At the current time in my manuscript my first chapter starts off by educating the reader on what's going on in the world, and how the supernatural scene works before he sets out on his daily routine, but I'm not sure if that's something that I should try and break up and litter throughout the book or not. Any opinions are appreciated

How's it going everyone? It's been awhile since I posted anything fresh, and I thought I'd make this topic and ask how all your works are coming along? Mine is slow, but sure!
Right now I'd say my biggest hurdle is that I'm not a writer. This is my first go at a book, but my imagination runs wild with ideas, and I figure why not give it a try? The worst that can happen is...nothing! But it's tough for me to dedicate a certain time of day to writing at the moment, so I usually just write when ideas flow or I have a lot of down time. Anyway let me take you on a tour without divulging any details per JB's requests of sharing ideas:

1. My current story is a supernatural noir story very much like TDF, but I think I have a very unique approach and a lot of original ideas.  It will be set during modern day on the east coast and will deal with a lot of elements in the supernatural and with historical mythology. I can tell you that the main character doesn't know what he is. He begins showing signs of being a supernatural entity, and throughout the story he will find out what that is. This series, if successful, can go as long as the reader wants it to. I have enough ideas for quite a few books! I'm currently about 1/4 through my skeleton draft, which in my world means the story and side stories minus details of people and places.

2. This story is a blossoming idea between a friend and I. It's going to be a fantasy tale set in a fictional world. All I have right now is the plot of the book, the hero and the villian. I still need to create the world, characters, and landscapes. The story I thought up for this is amazing in my opinion, although I guess I'm biased. It will be either a trilogy or 5 books long, and will essentially deal with the aspects of growing up, learning courage and honor. I'm VERY excited about this one.

3. My final idea was actually one of my first, and that's a sci fi space story. I had about 61 pages of this written but essentially lost interest when I thought up my supernatural one. I think my second problem was reaching too high, thinking I could create a brand new universe. If I dedicated myself I probably could but ultimately I decided to put it on hold. My entire life I've loved the Star Trek series. Especially TNG. I enjoyed the new movie but I know a lot of people didn't like it. Anyway if I ever become a succesful author I plan on transorming my sci-fi story into a star trek story and submitting it to the powers that be. During the airing of the TNG series I lived and breathed ST, and it saddens me that it's not mainstream anymore. I would love a chance to help reignite it!


Anyway that's what I've been up to! I'm really excited for these ideas I have, and I wanted to thank all of you for your help on my many topics I've created here. Let me know how you're doing!

Okay so my main character is about to visit a police station in a city which I live near. I'm not sure whether I should or even can try and research what the station looks like and write it accurately in my book, or if I would be better off just using a make believe station.

Opinions? Thanks everyone! 

I have my characters ready for the most part, I'm forming the branches of baddies, friends, random extras, but the one thing I have left to decide on is where to place my story location wise. I would definately like to place it close to a city.

I was going to place in my own city, but is there any unspoken advice about using the city you live next to? If not I think it would be the easiest route, as doing research would be very simple for streets and places that my character would visit.

Now once you have the location down, what do you do about the stores, shops, and food places? For example if I wanted my characters to go to a bar to have a few drinks is it recommended that I create one rather than use a real location?

Should I try and come up with a name that is rare?

I picked one name and searched it on google and got like 4 million links back haha!

Being that I'm new to the writing gig I find it ten times easier to write a story in the first person. Even when reading books I tend to stick to first person novels I just feel more immersed in the story.

My issue is the one book I'm planning to write is impossible to write from just one persons point of view, and to really get everything in there I want I would have to write from three. I know it's possible to do, but in your opinion can it be done in a way that flows well? If adding that many POV's would really take the reader out of the story I'd much rather just give third person a try.

Opinions are appreciated, thanks!