Writing a book

[flamingo40]

I'm after Advice on writing my first book... I've got the story outline and characters...
Is it better to write and then find someone to edit? How do you go about publishing etc?
And what's the best software?
I'm a complete novice but this book has been coming for a long time I just want to get I right
Any pointers would be appreciated

I wouldn't worry about editing or publishing just yet, focus on actually writing the book first. You'll likely have to spend a good chuck of time editing it yourself first anyway.
You could look at writing it on something like Scrivener, most writers I know use it.

I would just use Word, tbh. Have a few documents - timeline, characters, settings, deleted scenes/lines etc as well as the one you're working on.

I agree with @SirenSays, just write the book! You can think about editorial work when you've got it into the best shape you can.

I agree with what others have said the most important thing is getting a first draft written. You could always look at some writing help books, one of my favourites is Save the Cat Writes a Novel it lays out the best points and arc a novel needs to go through.

Sorry that should be beat points not best points!

Join Critique Circle - a huge online group of like-minded people from all over the world. You can post your chapters each week and get peer reviews of them. The more you crit others, the more you will get critted back. It's excellent. I've been a member for three years now. You can have a free membership or get extra services for a small amount as a paid member, which I am. It's worth every penny and you get so much help and make great friends all over the world. I love it. Best writer's website out there.

Thanks so much for the advice
I'll crack on with writing

Has anyone recently written a book or submitted to any literary agents in the UK or US?

Sorry, I'm coming in late!

Before you commit to writing an entire book, I would first pitch your idea to friends and/or family first, and also give them a sample of your writing, maybe the first chapter. Or you can post it here, and we can give you feedback. Or join a writer's group.

As you know, it's an overcrowded market now that self-publishing is rife, so you have to research the market well to see what's selling, and write a really good story with interesting characters, in order to have the edge.