| The idea of writing a novel can be intimidating, | | | | example: |
| especially if you've never done it before. This is | | | | A young, self-centered woman with an addictive |
| why most people who have a desire to write a | | | | personality must find a way to adapt when she |
| novel never actually take the plunge and do it ... | | | | becomes parent to her nine-year-old niece. |
| the effort simply appears too overwhelming. | | | | An ordinary, nerdy, often picked-on high school |
| However, it doesn't need to be overwhelming. | | | | student wakes up one morning to discover he |
| You just need to take it one step at a time. And | | | | can move objects with his mind. |
| the first step is agreeing to allow yourself to | | | | A super-mom, who dedicates every waking |
| make mistakes and be imperfect. One of the | | | | moment of her life to her five children, discovers |
| great advantages of novel writing is that no one | | | | that her husband has lost all their money gambling |
| has to see it until you're ready for them to see it. | | | | and she must suddenly find a way to support the |
| So begin your journey with the understanding that | | | | children as well as nurture them. |
| it's going to be an adventure, that you're going to | | | | So when you encounter an article or a sentence |
| make mistakes, and that it's all right to make | | | | or a story that suddenly has you getting jazzed |
| mistakes because you can always clean things up | | | | with enthusiasm, run with it. Start writing down |
| later. | | | | everything that comes to mind. Possible |
| So how do you get started? | | | | characters. Possible scenes. Possible endings. |
| If you don't already have a story in mind, then | | | | Whatever springs into your head. Simply allow |
| the first step is to develop a foundational concept | | | | yourself to freely explore the concept. |
| for your novel. Ideas are everywhere. If you're | | | | You aren't committing to anything at this point. |
| really starting from scratch, try reading | | | | Your enthusiasm may burn out after you spend a |
| newspapers, novels by your favorite authors, | | | | few minutes in the process. If so, toss it out and |
| short stories, science magazines, etc. Most novel | | | | keep looking. Or you may discover that the story |
| ideas spring from other ideas. You'll find as you're | | | | idea simply doesn't go anyway. That's okay, too. |
| reading that questions begin to spring to mind. | | | | There is no shortage of ideas. Be as picky as you |
| These are usually WHAT IF questions, and they | | | | want (as long as you don't use it as an excuse to |
| indicate that you're both interested in the topic | | | | never start writing). |
| you're reading and you can see the possibility of | | | | Keep going through this process until you're able |
| exploring it in a different manner. | | | | to refine your idea into a simple sentence that |
| Your goal in seeking out a basic premise for your | | | | has you excited about the potential of your story |
| novel is to find something that excites you and | | | | idea. |
| that you can easily state in a single sentence. For | | | | |