| Many people dream of writing their own book. But | | | | It doesn't matter whether these exist in the real |
| it remains a dream - maybe a few kind-of | | | | world or not. But these should be defined in the |
| started pages gathering virtual dust on a | | | | same way you've defined the major players. This |
| computer somewhere and eventually consigned | | | | crib sheet will help keep your mind on track when |
| to the digital dustbin when an upgrade arrives. | | | | you're actually writing your new novel. |
| So what can you do to make your dream of | | | | 5. Start writing |
| writing a novel come true? Here are some tips to | | | | By now, your head should already have a very |
| help you. | | | | good idea of the novel you're about to write. Set |
| 1. Make an outline | | | | aside time each and every day to work on your |
| You need a road map to follow if you are to | | | | novel. This can be short, ten to fifteen minute, |
| stand any chance at all of writing your | | | | bursts or it can be an hour or more with your |
| masterpiece. Start with the chapter headings and | | | | hands almost tied to the keyboard. The important |
| then a brief outline of what will happen in each | | | | part is to do this every day, to help convince |
| chapter. | | | | your unconscious mind that you're serious. Don't |
| 2. Flesh out your outline | | | | interrupt yourself with editing at this stage. That |
| Once you've got the direction of your novel | | | | uses a different part of your brain and will kill your |
| worked out, it's time to put a bit more detail | | | | creativity. |
| together. Notice that I didn't say start writing "for | | | | 6. Edit and polish your work |
| real" yet. Just add some meat to the chapter | | | | If possible, read your book out loud. This will raise |
| heading bones. Aim for around a dozen things that | | | | the places where you literally stumble over your |
| will happen in each chapter. | | | | words and will bring out the parts of your book |
| 3. Define your main characters | | | | that don't quite make sense. It's actually quite a |
| What do they look like? How old are they? Are | | | | fun process once you get used to it! |
| they male, female, animal or alien? Write a | | | | 7. Publish |
| summary of each character - this will likely end up | | | | Nowadays you don't need a publisher unless you |
| scattered across your book as each part of their | | | | want one. You can publish your own work on |
| character becomes relevant. But as the author, | | | | sites like Amazon and indulge in your own publicity |
| you need to know these details from day one. | | | | with a few press releases. The sky's the limit - go |
| 4. Define your main locations | | | | for it! |