| One of the key things when looking at how to | | | | and do it later we won't remember the event |
| write a novel is being able to know what to write | | | | with the same clarity or accuracy as we do when |
| about. There are actually good ideas all around us. | | | | we write it down immediately. |
| The difficulty is in capturing that idea and having it | | | | Go through your notebook when you are looking |
| on tap when it is needed. It is not always at the | | | | for ideas. Reading something that you recorded |
| beginning of the story that we might be looking | | | | months or even years before can be just the |
| for an idea. It could be ideas for a character, or a | | | | catalyst that you need to get your new story |
| setting or even a conversation. | | | | started or fill in the details that you are searching |
| There is a resource that everyone can have to | | | | for. |
| help them out with this. It does take time to | | | | Once your story is underway there might be |
| develop this resource. Everyone will have different | | | | numerous times when you need to refer to you |
| ideas in their resource, but it is an invaluable aid to | | | | notebook. Perhaps you are looking for a new |
| any writer. | | | | character and you remember that you jotted |
| The Resource | | | | down some notes that would just fit what you |
| Always carry a notebook and pen. Ideas come up | | | | are looking for. |
| at all different times and places. If you don't | | | | So long as you always carry your notebook, and |
| record it at the time it will be lost. Sometimes it | | | | develop the habit of jotting down anything that |
| might be an impression you have when you see a | | | | strikes you, you will have a resource that will |
| beautiful scene. It might be a headline in the | | | | stand you in good stead as you embark on your |
| newspaper that sparks a thought. Perhaps some | | | | journey as an author. |
| snippet of conversation you hear in the grocery | | | | Even if you are not ready to start thinking about |
| checkout line might strike you as something that | | | | writing, start collecting ideas in your notebook. |
| could be developed. | | | | That way, having a ready store of ideas to draw |
| Record anything and everything that might be of | | | | from, you will be able to focus on how to write a |
| possible use. Once you have it in your notebook it | | | | novel, rather than staring blankly at the page |
| is preserved for future needs. Writing things down | | | | looking for inspiration. |
| as soon as possible keeps them intact. If we wait | | | | |