Writing A Novel

Novels can be written easily if you follow a set of steps, which are logically sequenced with the process of building the story. A task which may seem daunting when viewed as a whole can be facilitated by breaking it down into smaller more manageable portions. You’ll Need:

·                                Imagination

·                                Structure

·                                A Story to tell

Step1

Do some research, and think the story through in your mind, jotting down any good ideas or plots that you have. It’s best to have a small notebook that you can carry with you wherever you go as ideas tend to come at almost any time. In fact keep the notebook and a pen beside your bed.

Step2

Write an outline of the story that you want to tell. Devote at least a chapter to introducing each fully drawn character. Set up the complication in the story, and outline the tension build up and the climax and conclusion. Jot down any thing that comes to mind.

Step3

The Protagonist, the main character will be someone you can see in your mind’s eye. Describe this character vividly in a 3 dimensional way, so that the reader knows everything about him/her. Do the same for the Antagonist or opposing character in your story.

Step4

Write the best and least stressful way by starting with the ending. Work out where you want your story to end. You don’t need the details but have a fairly clear idea what the solution to the complication is going to be. You don’t need to be meticulous with the ending just yet but at least write down how your story will end, as a working chapter. You can alter it as you need to later.

Step5

Plan ahead. Write a chapter outline which will remind you what each chapter will be about so that you can keep a logical sequence to the story. For example, you can set the scene in one chapter and tell the story of that particular place or the people who live there.

Step6

Use a chapter to describe the protagonist from all sides, so that the reader can know everything about that character. The reader should be able to predict somewhat what the character might do in a situation.

Step7

In another chapter do the same for the antagonist. You can draw this character as you like. You may decide that the reader doesn’t need to know everything about them, or that the reader will know their thoughts as well.

Step8

Write the story according to your outline. If you experience what is called Writer’s Block move from the chapter you are on and write another chapter further on in the story. You will find that when you go back to where you were up to, that the writing is easier as you already know the outcomes to some degree.

Tips:

·                                 Choose a time that you will devote to writing and stick to it.

·                                 Choose a place to write in, some like to be alone, others like to be in crowded places.

·                                 Keep at it, Rome wasn’t built in a day.

·                                 Don't Plagiarize, use your own words, and ideas.