| Everyone reckons they have a book in them. It | | | | Chronology - Chapters - Info on characters - ages |
| may be a "How To" instructional typebook or | | | | at particular times etc |
| usually a novel. | | | | Theme & Situation - Theme - the ultimate |
| Either way you have to start writing. Now, where | | | | meaning of the novel situation vague ideas etc |
| do you start? | | | | Plotting - Develop ideas - may run 40-60 pages |
| OK. So you have an idea for a novel. So I'll start | | | | Characters - Test names - outward |
| you off here on your writing trip, with The | | | | characteristics - what goes on in their minds - |
| Notebook. | | | | traits - types - bringing them to life |
| Before we get into the Notebook theme I want | | | | Outline - Organise all the above - rough chapters - |
| you to remember a couple of things that will help | | | | decide where characters are introduced (not too |
| you on the way. | | | | many at once) |
| An author writes for an audience of one - Himself. | | | | Research - Factual questions |
| This is You. | | | | Bibliography - Keep records of books used or |
| So keep it to yourself either until you're nearly | | | | referred to |
| finished or better still wait till you finish. | | | | Research - Any special knowledge |
| Here we go. | | | | Background - Homes, Neighbourhood, Town, Area |
| Close Your Computer Down Now! Yes. Close It. | | | | Names - Collect interesting ones |
| Go and get one of those 2 ring punch folders and | | | | Plus Factor - That certain something must hook |
| 500 blank white pages about 12 inches by 8 | | | | readers' interest - something unusual |
| inches. Punch them with 2 holes and put the paper | | | | Force - Raw material - ask questions - process it |
| inside the folder on the 2 rings. Also be a good | | | | in your mind - examine what has come into your |
| idea if you can get a pack or two of those index | | | | mind to find the answer |
| type tabs for using as easy reference when | | | | Beginnings - Show a character with a problem |
| finding parts you need. | | | | doing something interesting - who, what, where, |
| Do not write on both sides of the paper. Write on | | | | when and why - Identify these as soon as |
| 1 side only. Don't say I can save paper. Listen to | | | | possible - establish characters - what has |
| what I say please. | | | | happened earlier - what is happening now - main |
| Now, the Notebook. Put the Preliminaries below in | | | | problem of the story and who and what opposes |
| the front of your folder. This is for reference. Get | | | | your main characteristics. |
| the sections sorted out and write on the first | | | | Middles - Problem solved or defeated - new |
| sheet of every section the heading. As an | | | | problems an overall steadily mounting climb that |
| example you would have your first section named | | | | leads to the climax of the novel |
| Titles. | | | | Climax and Ordinary |
| Put down as much as you can in the separate | | | | Conclusion - These are may be fairly long - the |
| sections..Keep filing it. Write it all down. If you | | | | others short as possible - the showdown - play |
| want to transfer to a computer later then OK. At | | | | out dramatically - keep the balls in the air, then |
| the moment use the file. It's easier. You can take | | | | catch them and write the end - tie up all loose |
| it around with you. | | | | ends - keep an account of all red herrings and |
| The Notebook - Preliminaries | | | | loose ends - happy endings - make sure the main |
| Calendar (Dates) - Start/Finish work/plotting | | | | characters deserve what happens to them - |
| begun/finished | | | | leave a thread of questions in the readers minds |
| Rough estimate of length | | | | right up to the last paragraph |
| Titles - Keep a record of all thoughts | | | | That's it folks, for today. |