| For years, whenever I'd finish reading a novel, I'd | | | | down at random turn into your best ideas. |
| experience a slight twinge in the pit of my | | | | Conversely, if you have no way to record them, |
| stomach, and the aching suspicion that I too could | | | | you might lose these important thoughts forever. |
| write a novel. Perhaps you've felt the same way. | | | | 7. Write an Outline or Synopsis. You wouldn't take |
| Maybe like me you tried to write. Perhaps you | | | | a car trip to a place you'd never visited before |
| struggled through a few half-hearted drafts, and | | | | without doing a Mapquest, consulting a road map, |
| they're still lodged in an old file on your computer. | | | | or using your car's GPS tracking system. It's the |
| It's possible you went so far as to print out your | | | | same idea with your novel. I wrote a synopsis |
| pages. But then you buried your chapters at the | | | | before I ever sat down to work on my novel. Of |
| bottom of your desk drawer. It's apparent you | | | | course, you might add or delete characters, |
| have the interest, but how do you really | | | | change your ending, and even alter your story. It |
| commence? Writing a novel is a journey. The | | | | doesn't matter. Having a synopsis will encourage |
| time to embark on that journey is now. | | | | you to keep going. Most of all, it will prevent you |
| Here are twelve simple steps to starting your | | | | from feeling lost. |
| novel: | | | | 8. Create a Profile for Every Character. A profile |
| | | | is a set of physical and mental characteristics as |
| 1. Just Begin. Maybe you've had an idea in mind | | | | well as the background information you will need |
| that you've been tinkering with for years and | | | | to develop your characters. You should determine |
| years. I had the concept for my novel Dancing | | | | everything about your characters from their eye |
| above the Waves for ten years before I sat | | | | color to their lineage. Where were they born? |
| down to write it. Don't let that happen to you. As | | | | What's their favorite color? What are their likes |
| Goethe said, "Whatever you can do, or dream | | | | and dislikes? How do they handle stress? Do they |
| you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and | | | | speak with an accent? Are they sad or upbeat? |
| magic in it." | | | | What made them that way? Just as we get to |
| 2. Dedicate a Space to Write. You don't need to | | | | know new people over time, you will learn to |
| have an office or even a spare room to pen your | | | | know your characters over time. Soon you will |
| opus. What is helpful is to set aside a permanent | | | | understand how they'll react in different situations. |
| place, even if it is just a corner of your kitchen | | | | With an in-depth profile you will be able to |
| table, breakfast bar or dining room table. Set up | | | | originate characters that are believable to your |
| your computer. Get some extra paper and you | | | | readers, not just stereotypes or stick figures. |
| are ready. | | | | 9. Read books. One of the best places to learn |
| 3. Back up your computer files. Save your drafts. | | | | about writing novels is to read them. From reading |
| Don't lose even a precious word you've written. I | | | | you will learn about language, and words. You'll |
| knew somebody who was in the midst of writing | | | | soon gain a love of fine writing that will inspire you |
| a novel when he had his laptop stolen. He had | | | | to do your own writing and create your own |
| never bothered to back up his writing. He was | | | | voice. Reading can also help you determine what |
| half way through writing a novel - and lost all of it! | | | | kind of book you want to write. As a child, I |
| 4. Write every Day. You've no doubt heard the | | | | loved reading "Nancy Drew" mysteries and even |
| old saying, "How do you get to Carnegie Hall? | | | | now I enjoy books that are page-turners. When I |
| Practice, practice, practice." This maxim applies to | | | | started my novel Dancing Above the Waves I |
| writing as well. You must keep at it to improve. | | | | knew I wanted it to be filled with suspense |
| Get in the habit of writing every day. If that's not | | | | because that is the kind of tale I enjoy most. |
| possible try to write several times a week. You | | | | 10. Take a writing class. Many argue that good |
| owe it to yourself and to your writing. Before you | | | | writing can't be taught. What a class can do for |
| know it page will follow page, and soon your | | | | you, however, is help you get in the habit of |
| pages will turn into chapters. | | | | writing. If you take a writing class, you'll have |
| 5. Tell your friends and family you've begun. If | | | | exercises and assignments that will encourage you |
| you share with others you have a writing project, | | | | to write. Many community colleges, and |
| you'll start to think of yourself as a writer. When | | | | universities offer extension programs with night |
| they ask you how you're doing you'll feel | | | | and weekend writing courses. |
| encouraged to continue writing and to keep them | | | | 11. Join a writers' group. In workshops, you read |
| up to date on your progress. | | | | your writing out loud and exchange chapters. |
| 6. Record your thoughts and ideas. Keep a pad of | | | | These groups can be a fun way to overcome |
| paper handy. Put a note pad on your bedside | | | | any fears you might have about showing your |
| table and sprinkle pads of paper throughout your | | | | writing to others. |
| house. (Some people get inspired in the shower | | | | 12. Don't Give Up. Winston Churchill said, "Never, |
| so have a memo pad handy even in your | | | | never, never give up!" He might have been |
| bathroom.) Take a note pad with you wherever | | | | speaking about war, but what he said also holds |
| you go. Or, if you prefer, make notes on your | | | | true for writing. Never give up. Keep writing. |
| iPhone or BlackBerry. You never know when and | | | | Watch your pages turn into chapters. And your |
| where you'll feel inspired. I get ideas while driving | | | | chapters turn into a novel. And always remember |
| so I always keep a notepad on my car's visor. | | | | enjoy your journey! |
| Often times the simple words or phrases you jot | | | | |