| This may sound the same as how to end your | | | | How you handle the plan of attack depends on |
| novel, but it is not the same thing at all. I am | | | | your rhythms and methods of working. To some |
| talking here about the act of getting through that | | | | extent, the execution of the plan also depends on |
| first draft...finishing what you started. | | | | your personal patterns. You know yourself better |
| Writing a novel is simple--there are no tricks, | | | | than anyone else does, so be careful about |
| formulas, gimmicks or easy ways to tackle the | | | | setting your goals. But set them. Even if the goal |
| task successfully. However, there are two simple | | | | is 100 words a day, make a deal with yourself |
| actions that virtually guarantee that you will finish | | | | that you will meet that goal. Daily action is |
| your book: | | | | essential. Treat yourself professionally and draw |
| detailing a plan of attack | | | | up a contract with yourself. The contract should |
| taking daily action upon that plan. | | | | include the following: |
| The plan of attack can be a simple outline, file | | | | 1. Your daily quota of words or time. It is up to |
| folders full of notes or a binder with tabbed | | | | you whether or not you wish to work a five-day |
| sections containing all details. What it must include | | | | week or a seven-day week. Decide how many |
| are: | | | | words or pages you will write or specify the time |
| 1. A one sentence description of your novel. If | | | | you will spend at writing, even if it means sitting |
| you cannot get it into one sentence, then you do | | | | and looking at a blank piece of paper for an hour. |
| not have a clear notion of the story you are | | | | If you know that from six a.m. until seven a.m. |
| trying to tell. Without a distinct premise, your | | | | you are going to sit there with that blank piece of |
| novel will grind to a halt before page 50. Or | | | | paper, eventually your subconscious will kick in and |
| worse, it will run off in tangents and lead you | | | | you will begin to put down words. |
| forever away from that delightful and | | | | 2. The completion of the first draft. Rewriting is |
| soul-satisfying experience of typing "The End." | | | | the secret of success. Just put down the words, |
| 2. A sketch of the plot. This can be a one-page | | | | one after the other until you have the main |
| breakdown noting that your novel will be 75,000 | | | | framework of your novel. Then you may go back |
| words long broken into 15 chapters of 5,000 | | | | and make all the fine changes that you thought of |
| words. The main characters' names and brief | | | | on the way through. |
| descriptions may be scribbled in the corner of this | | | | Respect your contract. Don't take short cuts in |
| sheet of paper. Or it may include detailed scene | | | | your writing. If you begin skipping one day, |
| by scene file cards color coded with reference to | | | | planning to do twice as much the next day, you |
| books and articles containing appropriate | | | | are cheating yourself. Time and opportunity lost |
| background on geography, professions, and | | | | are never regained. Stick to your plan and your |
| personality. | | | | daily schedule and you will succeed. |