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| What is your process for writing a novel | | |
|  mollybrogan | Jan 31, 2:20pm | I've been asked this many times and must say that the process evolves. I begin with a journal of the book where I write notes and ideas. I've begun tabulating the journals into categories: characters, storyline, symbols etc. I begin the journal for a book as I am writing the pages for the one before it. Luckily, by the time I have completed a novel, I am ready to begin writing the pages for the next. It has been a good flow for me.
While I am writing the pages, I have diagrams and notes taped all around the work space so as I work on the computer, I look around to make sure I am where I need to be with character development, storyline, symbolism etc. It can be messy in my office at times, but the system works for me! When I feel I am ready to "let it go," I give it to at least three editors for feedback. I have found that the opinions of multiple editors give me a broad range of suggestions. I choose the editors knowing that each will probably get something different out of the experience, and have suggestions based on their expertise or perspectives.
I say "let it go," because finishing a book can be an extremely emotional experience for many reasons. I always need to be sure I have done justice to the characters and to the ideas of the story. I also need to be ready to receive the feedback, which can be an emotional process. But also, I need to be ready to come out of the womb of creation that I have been gestating in for so many months (years.) Emerging from the creation of a novel is like giving birth to yourself. You go through the process as the parent and the child. What a miracle and a blessing. Molly Brogan |
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| | tsc0809 | Jan 31, 8:59pm | For me, it's far less structured. In fact, I'll get an idea for a particular character...I'll visualize aspects about the character and just begin to type. The story--the various aspects of the story--comes to me in pieces. Usually, inspiration is what guides me. And given enough time, I'm usually able to map out the storyline or plot and create a draft outline...sketch of each chapter, that sort of thing. I spend for less time preparing, though. With my outline serving as my roadmap, I just go for it...let the story unravel as it comes to me, not allowing time to constrain me.
I do find that story ideas hit me at all sorts of times of the day, so I'm inclined to jot down these things. It's very common for me to have a working electronic draft and several written pages or paragraphs lying around.
I do understand what you mean about getting ideas for other projects before completing an existing one. That happens to me all the time. When it does, I just begin my outline. As long as I have that, then I can go back and fill in the story.
For me, the real challenge is the editing; it is here that I refine my story. It is here that the smallest detail is made perfect. Sometimes chapters must be expanded or shortened; sometimes sections must be rewritten for improved flow and cohesion; dialoque sharpened. It is a very painstaking process, but one upon which I depend to ensure that the story I've told is rich and compelling, believable and important. |
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|  nextword | Feb 3, 8:16am | Well, I am a published writer, but not a published novelist so I figure blogging as I write puts me under some sort of pressure. I did think about 'Oh my, but what if someone steals my story', but unless a publisher is just about to snap it up, why should I worry as long as someone reads my work?
I AM writing, as opposed to thinking about it.
Please, have a look...
tintaweb.blogspot.com [tintaweb.blogspot.com] |
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| What is your process for writing a novel | | |
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