[stylist] Suggestions for Novel Writing

Tue Mar 3 03:29:27 UTC 2009

Lori, Can you publish Chelsea's writings on how to write a novel in the next 
issue of slate and style?  Judith
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robert Newman" <newmanrl at cox.net>
To: "'NFBnet Writer's Division Mailing List'" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, March 02, 2009 8:48 PM
Subject: Re: [stylist] Suggestions for Novel Writing


> Miss Chelsea --- you sure have a logical mind, creative too. This outline 
> of
> how to write a novel is great!
>
>
> Robert Leslie Newman
> Email- newmanrl at cox.net
> THOUGHT PROVOKER Website-
> Http://www.thoughtprovoker.info
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Judith Bron
> Sent: Sunday, March 01, 2009 7:39 PM
> To: NFBnet Writer's Division Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [stylist] Suggestions for Novel Writing
>
> 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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