Welcome to the new writers who have joined our group.
A frequent question that has come up is: How should I start writing a novel? We’ll answer that question, but first, raise your hand and repeat after me:
My basic goal is to get the story down on paper.
Now for the different approaches:
Let ‘er Rip:
Sit down, tell the editor in your brain to shut up and write. Now is not the time to fuss over the intro hook, a cliff hanger for every scene, and punctuation. Simply tell your story. Yes, it probably isn’t Pulitzer worthy. Then edit it. Go through it a couple of times, at least. You’ll find the beginning is usually weaker than the ending because you’ve become a better writer by the time you reached the end. Edit the beginning several times.
You’ll want to make it the best you can before bringing it to critique. Why would you want folks to tell you things you already know how to do? Use the critique time to gain new insights and info into technique.
Let ‘er Flow(chart)
A story proceeds across my wall in sticky notes. Different characters’ storylines are in colors, while the main story flows down the center. So, I know the plot, character development, and pacing before I start. I also know how it begins, ends and where the turning point falls in between. Armed with this information, I’ll follow the Let-er-Rip technique and get the story on paper. Miss editor-in-my-mind will come by later and make snarky comments.
Let ‘er Be Plotted
This includes not only a visual chart of the characters’ development and story events, but notecards.
*Character notecards (color coded) Contain description, fears, relationships, history, family, nicknames, etc.
*Chapter notecards: Goals for each chapter, Action within chapter; notes about foreshadowing;
YOu may even break chapters into scene notecards.
*Pacing Chart. The action of each chapter or scene can be graphed to give you visual evidence that your story is not flat-lining.
This technique requires a lot more prep, but the benefit is that you’ll have developed your characters so throughly and the story so deeply that writing will go much more quickly (and usually the editing will too.)
When I first started, I just wanted to write. Phooey on all that planning stuff. There are some very accomplished writers who use this technique successfully. For me, I ended up editing the manuscript at least 15 times. It could probably STILL use some work.
That’s okay. I’ve accomplished my basic goal. Little steps.
Get ‘er Down on Paper.