| Wannabe writer? Then read this guide about how | | | | their personalities and backgrounds. You also need |
| to prepare your first manuscript. | | | | to prepare a plan regarding the setting, time and |
| Writing a manuscript can be a very fulfilling | | | | place in which the story takes place. Once all |
| experience, however if you fail to prepare | | | | these elements have been mapped together you |
| properly before embarking on your writing, then | | | | will then be in a good position to start writing your |
| you may just find it a frustrating experience! | | | | manuscript. |
| Whether you are writing an autobiography, fiction | | | | For non-fiction work the first step is to decide on |
| or non-fiction, you will always need to prepare | | | | the subject matter of your manuscript and then |
| before you commence the actual act of writing. | | | | the angle that you would like to take around this |
| For fiction work, the first thing you will need to do | | | | topic. Once this is decided the next step is to map |
| is decide upon the subject matter and themes | | | | out chapter headings so that you can see how |
| within your manuscript. This will then determine | | | | your manuscript will develop in terms of the |
| the genre of your manuscript e.g. romance, sci-fi, | | | | arguments you wish to make and the conclusions |
| horror etc. You will then need to plan your | | | | you wish to draw. From this manuscript outline |
| storyline and the characters that will appear along | | | | you can then plan the areas you will need to |
| the way. The easiest way to do this is to | | | | research. In depth research is extremely |
| physically map out the story on paper through | | | | important to ensure that your text is indeed fact |
| simple words and imagery. You could draw a | | | | and not fiction. This research should be focused |
| timeline and plot events along the time line. For | | | | around your manuscript plan, so that it is done in |
| example, at what stage characters are introduced | | | | an organised manner. This will save you time and |
| or at what stage key pieces of information will be | | | | avoid you wandering down unnecessary avenues |
| revealed to the reader. A good way to ensure | | | | and confusing the structure of your manuscript. |
| that you understand the relationships between | | | | If you have thoroughly prepared your manuscript, |
| characters is to compose family trees, and even | | | | you will be armed with all the information you |
| if all the individuals you place within the family tree | | | | need for its completion, as such, the writing of it |
| do not appear in your final manuscript, this | | | | should become a much easier and more enjoyable |
| information may be useful when it comes to you | | | | task. |
| developing your characters and understanding | | | | |