So, you want to write a novel? Are you okay with getting your work ripped apart by beta readers/agents/editors/publishers/readers? Can you handle massive amounts of criticism? Long nights of writer’s block? Tight deadlines? Multiple characters all talking over each other in your head making you feel like a crazy person?
Great! Let’s get started! (Also, please note that this will not be easy at all. But it will be fun!)
1. BRAINSTORM! You can’t write your book until you have an idea for a book. I get ideas all the time from the most random things–the other day, I was reading Suri’s Burn Book (aka the most brilliant blog on the planet), and I started thinking about what Suri would be like in twenty years. What would it be like to grow up in a world where everyone already knew everything about you? Where you never had a chance to figure out who you were or make mistakes? That sounds like the beginning of a story to me.
2. Outline. These can be a huge help when trying to plan out your novel. I usually start my books with a giant outline that looks something like this:
A. INTRO TO SURI
B. SURI INTERVIEWS FOR A POSITION AS AN ADMIN
C. SURI’S INTERVIEWER ONLY WANTS TO TALK ABOUT KATIE AND TOM
D. SURI RUNS INTO THE LOVE OF HER LIFE
E. THE PRESS RUINS HER CHANCE AT ROMANCE
F. SURI DECIDES TO FLEE TOWN AND JOIN A CIRCUS
G. SURI MEETS A CLOWN WITH A SECRET
etc etc all the way until…
Z. FINAL BOSS FIGHT.
You don’t necessarily need to know what each of those chapters will contain. You don’t even necessarily need a totally complete outline. As long as you have a general idea of where your stories (or characters) are headed, it’s enough to keep you going.
3. WRITE! I know it sounds simple, but you can’t ever get your characters moving along until you actually let them out of your mind. Listen, it doesn’t need to be pretty. No one needs to see it but you. Just ASAKFJ:LSKDFJ: all the words out of your brain and onto paper. Don’t agonize over how things sound or look. There’s time for editing later. Don’t be a perfectionist–just write.
Outlines help here too. If you feel stuck on a scene, just move to the next scene. Building a bridge is always easier when you know where it’s going. Sometimes if my scene is dragging on forever, I’ll just be like “AND THEN THEY…” as a placeholder and keep writing.
4. Use the Buddy System.
Heavyweights? Anyone? No? Uh…well, the Buddy System will help you become a much better writer. Find someone who’s opinion you value, and ask them to read what you’ve written. It helps if they’re also a writer, but regular people work too–after all, your audience isn’t comprised solely of writers. Ask them to read and give you any thoughts or questions they have.
Your key here is to NOT get angry or defensive when they do give you feedback. “What do you mean you don’t get the symbolism of Suri’s Ruby Slippers?! It’s so obvious!” If one person is confused, chances are more people will be confused. As a writer, you will constantly have your work torn apart and rebuilt–remember, DON’T TAKE IT PERSONALLY. It’s not an attack on you or your talents–it’s just a way to make you better.
5. You’ll never finish Editing. Ever.
People think writing is the hardest part, but I think editing is even harder. I can edit the same thing 23 times, and still want to go back for a 24th pass. Question every word–every phrase. Look at POV’s. Look at plot. I think editing could warrant any entire post by itself, but the majority of your time will be reworking your material until it’s close to perfect. I don’t think any writers get to a place where they sit back and say, “Ah. It is finished.” I sometimes have to force myself to stop editing.
I know this list is by no means comprehensive, but it’s a start. Would you guys have added any other steps?
Tierney Fowler 