[stylist] Suggestions for Novel Writing

[Judith Bron]

Chelsea,  You are right!  Your first book will be a masterpiece!  Judith
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chelsea Cook" <astrochem119 at gmail.com>
To: <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, March 01, 2009 3:36 PM
Subject: [stylist] Suggestions for Novel Writing


Hi all,

We are finishing a unit on process in English and had to compose a set
of instructions to the reader. Since this assignment could be
creative, I took the liberty of writing down how I go about
storytelling. Keep in mind, I am just one person, but I thought I'd
share my way with you all. (Lori, anything I forgot or you would like
to add, please feel free to do so.) Let me know what you think.
Thanks.

How to Write a Novel:

1.  Read.  Anything and everything, classic and contemporary, prose
and poetry, fact and fiction.  This will give you a basis of syntax,
style, and structure, and you never know which lines will leap
immediately off the page or sink into your subconscious as future
ideas.  In either case, they will wait for the perfect time and then
scream without relent: "Write me! Write me!"

2.  Observe.  Take every new and uncomfortable situation as an
adventure for the senses.  If you are sitting near the kitchen in a
diner, notice the changing smells every second from syrup to mashed
potatoes to fish.  Listen to how the person working calls out orders.
Is the voice male or female? Grown or college age? What is the tone?
Is the person polite or obnoxious? These (and all other trinkets of
detail you gather) will help shape your characters and worlds later
and add clarity and reality to your writing.  Pay attention, and you
will be rewarded.
Note: These two implements are the most important background for the
beginning writer.  Never stop doing them, even in the other phases of
the process.  Also note that the next three steps can be done in any
order as long as they are all accomplished by the end of the book.

3.  Find a friend.  Think of a character that will suit the type of
book (which doesn't have to be labeled yet) you want to write.  This
character can be based on traits from real life, traits that you have
(or would like to), traits and actions completely opposite from yours,
or a person whose life you’ve always wondered about.  However, it is
almost always guaranteed that the character will carry some part of
you, its author and creator.

4.  Find a way.  If your characters don't fall into place yet, fine.
That's all right.  Create a situation you would like them to get into.
 Character and plot are so tightly intertwined that by the end of your
book, you may have trouble distinguishing which you started with.
Sometimes the author is just the translator for the character; during
others, the book may be going along at such breakneck speeds that all
the writer can do is enjoy the exhilaration, keep the pen moving, and
hang on for the ride.

5.  Find a reason.  Maybe you (or your story person) is fascinated or
passionate about a particular subject or hobby.  If so, make that part
(or the whole) development of your book.  You never know where crazy,
wild, seemingly fruitless and unconnected ideas may lead.  Don't
dismiss them.

6.  Organize Ideas.  Once you have a character, plot, or premise
(remember, any or all will get you started) put ideas together and see
what happens.  Something may come out of this brainstorm.  Write an
outline if that is your preferred method, make connections in your
head while on a walk or in the shower, keep a notebook everywhere; be
comfortable.  There is no "right" way, so long as sparks start fires.

7.  Write readily.  Do this whenever, whatever.  Don't worry about
genre or market yet.  Just sit down and compose when time and energy
are on your side.  If neither are, plan for them to be.  Set goals you
know you can meet within an expected limit.  Write on weekends,
mornings, or evenings, whatever block of time works.  Flexibility is
key, and procrastination is detrimental to your work.  If there is an
idea inside you, it will have to come out sooner or later.  Your book
will get finished if you have the passion, willpower, determination,
and persistence to do so.  Also, don't sweat the small stuff.  Writing
a novel is not easy.  Just soldier on, take a break (without leaving
entirely) and remember the purpose of revision.
Note: During writing, characters and ideas will float freely through
your subconscious.  If you feel another novel or story coming on,
capture as many details and images in a notebook or file as you can,
but concentrate on this project first.  By starting too many books,
your commitment to each will proportionally diminish and you will
never be able to finish any one.  Let every character have his or her
own time, place, and individualized attention to develop and grow.

8.  Rest.  After your first-draft manuscript is complete, take a
reprieve from it.  A few weeks or months usually suffices; just enough
time for you to wonder what that story of yours was about anyway.
Don't reread your book now, no matter how strong the temptation.  This
distance will give you objectivity later for editing.

9.  Rewrite (also called revising and editing.) It does not matter
which of these two you do first, as long as both are completed and
you've read your book.  Read through the first draft carefully,
changing and reworking areas as needed.  After this initial stage,
keep cutting and pasting, adjusting and aligning prose until all the
scenes and places in your story (big and small) are there for a
purpose.  Every word matters, especially in suspense works.  Read your
book aloud; ask for outside opinions.  These are not only crucial to
your rewrite, but will give you valuable feedback and insights as to
the musicality and validity of your story.

10.  Stop.  When you have identified problems in your book but are
unable to fix them (or the revisions make things worse) you know your
book is done.  Stop rewriting.  You also know your book is complete
when there is no more work left to do in this phase.  (Don't get hung
up here or you'll keep rewriting forever, and no one wants that.)
Readers want to read, after all.

11.  Revel.  You've written a novel! Enjoy the moment.  If the world
of publishing intrigues you, explore that avenue.  If not, take away
the personal satisfaction, pleasures, and growth that you have
composed an entire novel.

_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site:
http://www.nfb-writers-division.org <http://www.nfb-writers-division.org/>

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