| We've had this picture in our head. You’ve | | | | or public house. It is incredible the conversations |
| had this wicked thought for a romance which you | | | | you get wind of that you can take ideas from, |
| believe has the possibility of a no 1 blockbuster. | | | | more so in this day and age when it seems that |
| You constantly received top marks at school for | | | | anyone who is out with a mobile believes |
| your essays, but you haven’t done any | | | | everyone in earshot wants to listen in too. |
| writing since you filled out a job application. So do | | | | PERSONAL EXPERIENCES - We have all gone |
| you toss out all ideas of becoming a author or | | | | through and experienced feelings at every level |
| stick to your guns and seek specialist guidance on | | | | and you can certainly draw on those to help |
| how and where to start to get your brainwave | | | | generate your project and give your ideas more |
| into print? There is loads of good unique | | | | depth.Even jotting down a few answers to a few |
| guidance out there if you’re eager to put pen | | | | simple questions can help give you a kick-start |
| to paper so you could make that positive move | | | | and don’t forget you can always move things |
| right now! Immediately! At least, have a go | | | | around as your story begins to take shape. |
| because, if you don’t, you know you’ll | | | | Personalities - Do you have family, know |
| forever regret it. Here’s a few ideas that | | | | someone who is a bit of a personality or that you |
| may help in writing your first novel. | | | | respect or who just makes you giggle a lot? All |
| BUILDING A STORYLINE - Take note of The | | | | of these answers can help you to get started. |
| WHO, WHERE, WHAT, WHEN and HOW. | | | | It’s not really about having a good |
| WHO - This applies to the personalities in your | | | | imagination, rather it’s about knowing how to |
| short story. What kind of people are they? | | | | take all the best parts and turn them into a story. |
| Where and how will they fit in? | | | | MOMENTS IN TIME - Is there an experience |
| WHERE - This will be a particular location, setting | | | | you’ve had that holds a precious moment in |
| or country. Where is your story going to unfold? | | | | time for you? It could be a far-off place, perhaps |
| WHAT - No matter what your story is, however | | | | exotic, or somewhere in the countryside. |
| long or short, there has to be a plot, maybe a | | | | Make a note of all the answers to the questions |
| drama or a romance or a who-dunnit that needs | | | | and start constructing a chapter of your book. It |
| to be solved. | | | | doesn’t have to be at the start, it can be |
| WHEN - How is your novel going to start and | | | | anywhere and any part. |
| where? | | | | MUSIC - Is there a song you love? Write down |
| HOW - You need to decide the tense involving | | | | some of your favourite words from that song. |
| the people in your novel. Are they in the present | | | | TIMES OF THE YEAR - Think of the seasons and |
| time or past? Are you writing in the first or third | | | | pick one that holds special memories for you. |
| person? | | | | Then take a colour you love and associate it with |
| Even jotting down a few answers to a few | | | | that season. |
| simple questions can help give you a kick-start | | | | SENSES - Think of a taste and a smell that has a |
| and don’t forget you can always move things | | | | particular meaning. |
| around as your story begins to take shape. | | | | It is these pieces of time of yours and other |
| SOME MORE SUGGESTIONS. | | | | people’s lives that can feed your imagination. |
| CONCEPT - How and where you find your ideas is | | | | And don’t forget that you can decide |
| probably a lot easier than you think as an idea can | | | | afterwards where they go in your book because, |
| result from just about anything such as emotions, | | | | once you get down writing, you could even finish |
| good, bad and/or indifferent. So many situations | | | | ending the last part of your book first. There is |
| can produce a speck of an idea that, however | | | | no hard and fast rule to writing, but writing down |
| small or fleeting, once written down can turn a line | | | | an thought, a word, a phrase, etc as soon as |
| into a paragraph, a paragraph into a page and a | | | | they’re in your head is one of the most |
| page into a chapter. | | | | important rules to follow when writing your first |
| LISTEN TO OTHERS TALKING - In a bus queue, | | | | novel. |
| on a coach or bus, a train or a tram, in a wine bar | | | | |