| If you are really interested in writing a novel that | | | | of your novel? Describe what they are like in |
| will feel satisfying to you and to your readers, it's | | | | your novel's locations. |
| important to start things off right. Although you | | | | - Are there key objects that play an essential |
| may just want to jump into your writing and see | | | | part in the storyline of your novel? i.e. an old |
| where it takes you, if you take some time | | | | letter, a magical cape, a diamond ring, a secret |
| beforehand to prepare, you'll find the process of | | | | code |
| writing your novel becomes much easier and | | | | Developing the Storyline of Your Novel |
| more enjoyable to you. Not only that, this crucial | | | | The third essential step is to develop a solid |
| step will help ensure that you write the very best | | | | outline that will guide your writing through each |
| novel that you possibly can. | | | | key plot point and result in a dynamic, compelling |
| Develop The Blueprint that Will Guide Your Writing | | | | novel. Now that you have a good sense of what |
| This essential preparation involves exploring and | | | | motivates your characters as well as the |
| developing your initial novel ideas so you have a | | | | obstacles they will face, you can use this |
| clear view of where you want to go with your | | | | information to develop the action of your story. |
| novel. By making some basic creative decisions | | | | Although there are a variety of different novel |
| about your novel's characters, the world your | | | | structure formats that you can follow, at the |
| characters inhabit, and the basic through-line of | | | | most basic level, they come down to the |
| your plot, you will have an invaluable resource to | | | | following essential questions. You can use these to |
| guide you through the process of writing your | | | | get started on your novel outline. |
| novel from the beginning sentence through the | | | | - Where are your characters starting from at the |
| final word. | | | | beginning of the novel? What are their life |
| Take Some Time To Get To Know Your | | | | circumstances and how is their life less than |
| Characters | | | | perfect? |
| To start, think about who your characters are | | | | - What specific problems do they have? |
| and what inner changes they might make as they | | | | - What obstacles are in the way of them getting |
| proceed through your novel. Use the following | | | | what they truly want? |
| questions to help you begin to turn your initial | | | | - What strategies will your characters use to try |
| impressions into rich, multidimensional characters | | | | and overcome these obstacles? What will they |
| that live in your imagination. You'll know when | | | | need to do to get what they really want in their |
| you've done enough when you begin to feel a real | | | | lives? |
| sense of connection to your characters and care | | | | Basic Novel Structure |
| about what happens to them over the course of | | | | In terms of the basic structure of your novel, |
| your novel. | | | | here is a simple guideline that many writers find |
| - Who are the main characters in your novel? | | | | useful: To begin, you will establish your character's |
| Give each one a full name that feels right to you. | | | | current world, illustrating the ways they are out |
| - How do they look physically? i.e age, ethnic | | | | of balance. About one third of they way through |
| background, key physical characteristics | | | | your novel, your main character is forced to |
| - What is their personality like? i.e. idiosyncrasies, | | | | make some change in their life that actually helps |
| temperament, habits | | | | them move closer to what they really want, |
| - Where do they come from? Describe their | | | | even if they don't realize it at first. At the half |
| childhood as well as any other defining past | | | | way point, complications are introduced that make |
| experiences that helped to shape who they are | | | | the character question whether this is what they |
| today. | | | | really want. About two thirds of the way through, |
| - What are they key things that they love, hate, | | | | your character will reverse the positive change |
| and fear in their lives? | | | | they made initially and try to go back to where |
| - How happy or satisfied are they? Have they | | | | they were at the beginning. From this low point, |
| settled for less than what they really want? | | | | they will find the strength within to renew their |
| - What do they most want from life? What are | | | | commitment to their goal. This leads up to the |
| the inner and outer obstacles in the way of | | | | final confrontation with the main obstacle and |
| getting it? | | | | ultimate success. |
| Creating the World of Your Novel | | | | It Is Really Worth It To Start Your Novel With |
| Next, you will want to decide on the world that | | | | This Guiding Blueprint |
| your characters inhabit through the course of | | | | I encourage you to take the time to go through |
| your novel. Starting with your initial ideas, let the | | | | this creative preparation phase before you start |
| details of the locations for your novel unfold until | | | | writing your novel in earnest. If you do, you will |
| you can clearly see these places in your | | | | be rewarded with an inspiring step-by-step map |
| imagination. To get yourself started, begin by | | | | that will guide you across the vast expanse of |
| exploring the following questions: | | | | your novel. By vividly imagining the details of |
| - Where does your novel take place? i.e. country, | | | | character, setting, and plot beforehand, you will |
| state, region. Is there more than one general | | | | find that the writing process flows with much |
| locale? | | | | more ease and certainty. Rather than just staring |
| - What is the time frame for your novel? i.e. | | | | at that blank page each morning and wondering |
| When does it take place and over what period of | | | | what to write about, you can simply look at your |
| time? | | | | blueprint and clearly see what's next. Because you |
| - What are the specific interior and exterior | | | | will know your novel's essential details so well, you |
| locations like in your novel? i.e. the inherited | | | | will feel inspired and enthusiastic about writing each |
| sailboat, the secluded cabin, the seedy apartment | | | | day and the resulting novel will be one that is rich |
| building, the magical castle | | | | in detail and compelling to your readers. |
| - What seasons are experienced over the course | | | | |