[stylist] Suggestions for Novel Writing

Mon Mar 2 05:14:31 UTC 2009

dear Chelsea,
that was a well written explanation of your process.

however some people might do things differently for various 
reasons.  after I write a section I like to go back and do some 
editing and proofing on it then, I find it actually helps prepare me 
to write the next section.

but that's my method.

I hope you get a novel published.

jc
Jim Canaday M.A.
Lawrence, KS

At 07:38 PM 3/1/2009, you wrote:
>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.
>
>_______________________________________________
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