| Thinking about writing a novel, but are wondering | | | | things get any worse. All of the chapters after |
| how to begin? The following tips will help: | | | | the first will be devoted to your character's |
| 1. Get your main character or characters in BIG | | | | attempts to solve the problem. |
| trouble. For example, a potential divorce means | | | | 4. After writing your first chapter, make a |
| trouble for one of those characters, but it | | | | scratch outline, or quick list of events that are to |
| shouldn't be the only problem. Other problems, | | | | follow. For example, the character returns home, |
| such as the main character's attitudes and other | | | | only to find that his home has been broken into |
| shortcomings, should prevent that character from | | | | and ransacked. What does he do now? Does he |
| getting what he or she wants. | | | | succeed or not? What's the next obstacle that will |
| 2. Try to determine the outcome before writing | | | | frustrate his efforts to solve the problem? |
| your novel. In other words, will your character | | | | 5. As you write, keep thinking about your |
| have solved his or her problems or not? | | | | character's mental and physical obstacles. How do |
| 3. In your novel's first chapter, present the thing | | | | they hinder your character's efforts to get what |
| that will really upset your character's way of living. | | | | he wants, and what does he do to overcome |
| So far, he's gotten what he wants and continues | | | | them? |
| to live his life without a care. Everything is going | | | | 6. Try to resist the urge to edit as you continue |
| smoothly. But without warning, something happens | | | | writing, especially as you write the first chapter. |
| that will change that character's life forever and | | | | Doing so will slow you down and prevent you |
| he must do something about it NOW before | | | | from continuing. Just keep writing! |