Planning is the key to writing a novel.
Writing a novel can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it can also be overwhelming and exhausting. Writing a novel requires a lot of work, time, patience, persistence and re-writes. A good thing about starting a novel is that you need no license to start writing. Nor is a college degree needed. All you need to get started is a good imagination along with pen and paper or a computer.
Creating a Plot
An important part about starting a novel is creating a compelling plot. The plot conveys the main idea of your book through a series of events and situations. All fiction books are based on conflict and this conflict is presented as plot. Plot ideas can come any from myriad sources. Think about current events, historical events, growing up and even your dreams. Be open to new ideas.
The elements of a plot include foreshadowing, conflict, action, crisis, climax and resolution. Each element will come into play as you develop your plot. You will find it easier to create your first draft if you first spend time developing your plot. To do this, write down the important events in your story. Use notecards so you can shuffle them around as you massage your plot. Make sure your plot is logical, compelling and believable. There are many books with great characters but poor plots. However, remember that the plot can change as you write due to conflicts and character growth and development.
Know Your Characters
An important part of writing a novel is the ability to intimately know your characters. If you do not know your characters, how will your audience connect with them? Characters can be based on people you know or knew when you where younger. They can be a combination of your Uncle Rick and former President Dwight Eisenhower. They can also something from your imagination such as vampires, dragons, monsters or angels. The important thing is that characters need to come to life for the reader. Write down each character's name along with their physical traits, desires and personality. You should know them well enough that when you close your eyes you can see them. When you do this your reader will be able to identify with your main characters and feel their emotions as they struggle through the book.
Finding Your Voice
Voice is the personality or style of your books. Your voice could be conversational, snarky, funny or flirty. Your voice is the key to getting dedicated fans. It is important that you keep the narrator's voice consistent throughout the book. However, character voices can vary based on the situation. Be sure to check for consistency while writing and during all re-writes.
Point of View
Decide if your novel will be written in first or third person. A first-.person viewpoint means that you or a character you create is the main character and the narrator. These types of books use "I." For instance, you might write, "I ran to the top of the mountain..." or "I have a habit of..." A book written in first person has the advantage of creating intimacy with the reader. A third-person viewpoint also is common. It is when the writer functions as an observer, often an all-knowing observor. You might write, "Jake ran to the top of the mountain," or "Jake has a habit of ..." Third person is a technique that comes naturally to most writers.
Finding Time
The hardest part about writing a book is finding the time to fit it into your busy day. Set aside time each day for writing. Do you tend to write better during the early morning hours? If so, schedule an hour each morning to write. If you are a night-owl, schedule time late in the evening. Once you schedule time, stick with it. As with anything, once you've done this process over and over, it becomes easier.
Putting it All Together
Now it is time to actually sit down and write. Start during your scheduled time with no distractions and start on your first draft. Launch your plot with an opening that makes readers want to keep reading. This is the time to introduce characters and the story's problem or conflict. However, do not put the most dramatic episode at the beginning of the book. The middle section should keep readers engaged. You should spend time on character development, plot twists and moving from setting to setting. As you wind down your story, you come to the conclusion. The conclusion should reveal the solution to the story's problem, tie back to the story's beginning and wrap up any loose ends.
Revisions
Congratulations, you have finished your first draft! Now it is time for revisions. The general rule of thumb is to do three rounds of revisions. In Round One, don't pay attention to punctuation, grammar, spelling or nitty-gritty details. Look at the big picture. Look at the essence or the core of your story. Did you convey that essence effectively? Does it make sense? Did you overwrite some elements? Check for consistency with your characters. Rewrite passages that need to be cleaned up. In Round Two, you want to check the plot one more time. Check for any repetitions or plot stoppers. Look at every sentence, phrase and detail and ask yourself: How important is this to moving the plot forward? Also, check for consistency in tense, passive and active voice and point of view. Round Three requires you to take a close look at every detail of the book. Now is the time to print out the story and use a pen to examine every detail. Check for punctuation, grammar, spelling and consistency and other plot issues. Do not hurry through your revisions. Many times it takes longer to do the revisions than it did to write the first draft. All writers know that revisions take time and are hard work, but they also know that they are necessary to perfect their craft.
