Writing a Novel

Either way you have to start writing. Now, where do you start?

OK. So you have an idea for a novel. So I'll start you off here on your writing trip, with The Notebook.

Before we get into the Notebook theme I want you to remember a couple of things that will help you on the way.

An author writes for an audience of one - Himself. This is You.

So keep it to yourself either until you're nearly finished or better still wait till you finish.

Here we go.

Close Your Computer Down Now! Yes. Close It.

Go and get one of those 2 ring punch folders and 500 blank white pages about 12 inches by 8 inches. Punch them with 2 holes and put the paper inside the folder on the 2 rings. Also be a good idea if you can get a pack or two of those index type tabs for using as easy reference when finding parts you need.

Do not write on both sides of the paper. Write on 1 side only. Don't say I can save paper. Listen to what I say please.

Now, the Notebook. Put the Preliminaries below in the front of your folder. This is for reference. Get the sections sorted out and write on the first sheet of every section the heading. As an example you would have your first section named Titles.

Put down as much as you can in the separate sections..Keep filing it. Write it all down. If you want to transfer to a computer later then OK. At the moment use the file. It's easier. You can take it around with you.

The Notebook – Preliminaries

Calendar (Dates) - Start/Finish work/plotting begun/finished

Rough estimate of length

Titles - Keep a record of all thoughts

Chronology - Chapters – Info on characters – ages at particular times etc

Theme & Situation - Theme – the ultimate meaning of the novel situation vague ideas etc

Plotting - Develop ideas – may run 40-60 pages

Characters - Test names – outward characteristics – what goes on in their minds – traits – types – bringing them to life

Outline - Organise all the above – rough chapters – decide where characters are introduced (not too many at once)

Research - Factual questions

Bibliography - Keep records of books used or referred to

Research - Any special knowledge

Background - Homes, Neighbourhood, Town, Area

Names - Collect interesting ones

Plus Factor - That certain something must hook readers’ interest – something unusual

Force - Raw material - ask questions - process it in your mind – examine what has come into your mind to find the answer

Beginnings - Show a character with a problem doing something interesting – who, what, where, when and why – Identify these as soon as possible – establish characters – what has happened earlier – what is happening now – main problem of the story and who and what opposes your main characteristics.

Middles - Problem solved or defeated – new problems an overall steadily mounting climb that leads to the climax of the novel

Climax and Ordinary

Conclusion - These are may be fairly long - the others short as possible – the showdown – play out dramatically – keep the balls in the air, then catch them and write the end – tie up all loose ends – keep an account of all red herrings and loose ends – happy endings – make sure the main characters deserve what happens to them – leave a thread of questions in the readers minds right up to the last paragraph

That's it folks, for today.

My Regards

Barry

ps I am with you in spirit.

pps Ideas won't work unless you do!