Revision: first draft vs. final draft
No one writes a perfect story, essay, or novel the first time around. That’s where revision comes in. The first draft contains everything you wanted… Read More »Revision: first draft vs. final draft
How to Write
How to End a Story
Stories are like relationships: the beginning is always so much fun, and the ending is fraught with turmoil. When I sit down to start a… Read More »How to End a Story
Before You Begin: (or How to Get Past Fear & Procrastination and Write Your Novel)
Anyone who tells you that writing a novel is easy has probably never written one. Here are the five most common statements I hear from… Read More »Before You Begin: (or How to Get Past Fear & Procrastination and Write Your Novel)
How To Write a Novel: 10 Steps to Get You Started
The first thing you need to know about writing a novel is that there’s no magic formula. Every novel demands its own structure, its own… Read More »How To Write a Novel: 10 Steps to Get You Started
Writers on Writing: Thaisa Frank
This week, Yuvi Zalkow interviewed Thaisa Frank for The Rumpus. They met at the bar of the Hotel Rex, where Frank, author most recently of… Read More »Writers on Writing: Thaisa Frank
10 Steps to Writing a Novel
The first thing you need to know about writing a novel is that there are no easy answers. There’s no magic formula for novel-writing. Every novel demands its own structure, its own pace, its own way of looking at the world.
Still with me? Good. Because, as it turns out, novel writing isn’t just a head-banging exercise in utter frustration and despair (although, trust me, sometimes it is just that). It’s also a deep swim into your own head space, a really fun adventure, and one of the most thrillingly creative things a person can do. It’s your world; you get to make it, populate it, cultivate it, and bring all of the pieces together.
If you’re ready to take on the challenge of writing a novel, continue reading for 10 steps to get your started.
1. Consider the setting.
Setting encompasses not only place, but also time. Where does your novel happen, and when?
2. Consider the point of view.
Who is telling the story, from what distance? Do you have a first-person narrator who is at the center of the action, an omniscient narrator who is able to go into the thoughts of any character at any time, a limited third person narration that sticks closely to one character?Read More »10 Steps to Writing a Novel
How to Write a Novel: 10 Steps to Get You Started
The first thing you need to know about writing a novel is that there’s no magic formula. Every novel demands its own structure, its own… Read More »How to Write a Novel: 10 Steps to Get You Started
Creative Fidgeting
An article by Roland Rotz, Ph.D., in ADDitude Magazine this month claims you shouldn’t fight the fidget, especially when it comes to children with ADHD:… Read More »Creative Fidgeting