By Lanee’ Blunt
 |
| Write your book--ubik2010 |
Writing a book is a
challenge. The writer must find time to write the book and without immediate
rewards. You can write a short story in one setting or maybe in a few days, but
writing a novel will take months or even a year. There is no immediate
satisfaction in publishing the novel in a month so you must stay focused for as
long as it takes to complete the novel.
Characterization
A character sketch is an
excellent way to get to know your characters. There are some writers’ that
don’t sketch their characters, but in my opinion if you don’t sketch them in
the beginning you will end up going back to that phase eventually. When you
start with a sketch it helps you understand your character and know what they
will do next. What does the protagonist look like? Where was she born? Does she
lie? What is her weakness? Asking questions helps you know how your characters
will react when they are put in a certain situation.
Techniques
Plotting a novel is easier
if you stick to the genre that you are writing for. If you are a new writer you
should decide on a genre and read a few novels in that genre. Decide how you
will start the story. A novel shouldn’t be started at the beginning for
example, when the character was born. Think
about the action and start the novel there. How will your novel end? Make sure
that you have brought all of the plates down by answering all unanswered
questions. If you are going to use third-person viewpoint stay in that
viewpoint and don’t switch to first or second-viewpoint in the novel. “We live
our lives within a single viewpoint. We never get out of it—never really live
in another person’s head and heart,” according to Jack M. Bickham, in his book,
Writing and Selling Your Novel. Writing fiction is the same way you should not
switch viewpoints within a given dramatic confrontation.
Outlining
Write an outline for your
novel. It doesn’t have to be a long outline like the one you wrote for Mrs. Tyler’s
English class. Outline what will happen in each chapter.
Write every day
Set a goal. It should be a
goal of not how many hours you will work a day, but on how many words you will
write each day.
Reference:
Jack M. Bickham; Writing and
Selling Your Novel; Writer’s Digest Books
