YOU WANT TO WRITE A NOVEL – 1

 So you’re thinking about writing a novel… can’t see the woods for the trees?

I always get excited when an idea pops into my head. The trouble is containing my ideas and then getting them down in time not to forget!

The story in my head usually has – the beginning – the ending – and, somewhere in between all that the middle bit. The only problem is, is putting it altogether and make it make sense.

But let’s not jump ahead of ourselves, not yet. There’s something you might want to consider – Reading. Yes. Reading. You probably read – hopefully you do. I believe that without reading you can’t discern whether a book grabs you, makes you wish you hadn’t bothered to pick it up or something else…

I read just about every genre – if you think about it, all of them have the same theme.

Conflict – Stakes – Outcome

What do I mean by that? Name a novel where there isn’t conflict – Romeo and Juliet – perfect example One family hates the other – so there we have it CONFLICT – THE BUZZ

STAKES: I don’t need to tell you they are star crossed lovers from the warring families – what will their stupid family say? But it makes your story take you on a path and the lovers who can only see the problem.

And then of course there is the outcome – or resolution. Sadly, they die.

So what we need to do is begin by choosing the right genre for yours truly!

GENRE

I’ve heard so many times “write what you know” and YES that’s ABSOLUTELY true. You will find yourself trawling through your memory without even thinking about it.

How did that make feel…

I remember when…

And so on, but half the fun of writing it, dissolving into another world – being someone you might like to be, or not, but the premise is that you can be anyone, anything, and in any time.

You can even walk around stark naked, but will that have your readers interested – maybe for a nano-second.

Back to the genre – you read – what?

Does that float your boat? Does that tell you: ‘this is the story that should be written?’

I’m not going down the road of publishers – not yet. Why stem your creative flow? Why be told by publishers, we like you to write a series so we can market you. If you’re one of those people, then hats off to you. You are clearly single minded and clearly wanting to write for profit.

Not me. I love writing. Anything else is a bonus. If this is you – clever you.

Now you’re already half-way there.

I think if you write what you ‘feel is right for you’  and this is the story that’s burning my desire to write – then what’s stopping you?

TIME?

Okay, let’s dispel the myth – I write whenever I have time. Tonight, as I write this, hubby is watching footie and I have some time to do what I WANT TO DO WITHOUT BEING DISTURBED.

Many writers will put aside the perfect time for them to write – Jeffery Archer confessed he had a rhythm in his life – excellent.

But what if you’re working, like I was. Before and still, when I submitted my work then it was a case of creeping out of bed early doors, – getting the squeaky chair in exactly the right position not to wake his lordship up and then…. Write. I know someone who writes right through the night. NO. Not me. I’m not an owl.

Of course him indoors (love of my life) was still working – and would be shouting “I’m off” because he left earlier than me, and it served as a warning, twenty minutes left. But how many of you sit in front of a laptop and lose yourself – I often found myself running out of the door, toothbrush in one hand, kicking my slippers off and trying to get to my appointment on time – usually a 20 mile drive.

What did I do? Oh. I was a social worker – well, the cheaper version – but pretty much social worker and Occupational health – we were trained by the best – so I think I’m entitled to say – I was a social worker come occi health. And before that? A lecturer in SENDd. And before that – I ran my own cleaning business – and before that, secretary, childminder, barmaid and a ton of other things – so when I say you will find yourself talking knowledgably about something in your writing – it will, without doubt find it’s way into your writing. Even though I had to research a spitfire in a dog fight in my second novel… Now don’t get me started on research – I LOVE IT – I actually do so much research I wonder how I ever found the time to write a novel.

 So, back to the time. If you have the desire, you will write, no matter what I say.

 WRITING SPACE

Try to find something that fits with you. Some people like peace and quiet – Chelsea’s on at the moment – I’m on holiday right now writing this – and my laptop is in the only space available – I cut out the din and carry on regardless. If you find typos etc then I make apologies – but I am trying to help so don’t get cross my punctuation and grandma is all over the place!

JK Rowling reportedly wrote in a coffee shop – though I saw her ‘return’ to her little flat – where she wrote her BLOCKBUSTERS! I tried writing in a coffee shop, but got so engrossed in two little old ladies and their conversation – I wrote it into one of my novels!

Try every space out – and see what works for you.

WRITING GOALS
Look up NANOWRIMO – It challenges you to write a novel in a Month (November). Ha! Month – let’s say bloody years. I can’t write fast. Wish I could. I edit to the enth degree and am never satisfied.

I am told – stop editing – stop fiddling and get on with the story – then edit once you get to the end. Rachel Brimble – a friend of mine does just that – she’s a career writer. She’s focused.

There are plenty of challenges out there – just do a little bit of research and you’ll find them. You might find this is absolutely up your street.

Some people write with a ballpoint, others with a pencil, and others – like my favourite actor of all time Tom Hanks types his on a manual typewriter.

I write on a laptop – though the typewriter must be wonderful – no chance of losing anything.

BEING FRIENDS WITH YOUR IMAGINATION

Remember I said your imagination – or your past life – or current life, will influence what you write – as will the genre – then let your imagination flow.

Whatever you write will be perfect – not absolutely perfect – unless you’re the genius I wish I could be – but be the person who isn’t afraid to put ‘pen to paper,’ after all who else is going to read it? You. And only you. And then anyone you choose to share it with.

CREATIVE WRITING GROUPS

Join one – get yourself out there if you’re a person in the beautiful stage of life where you can just write whenever you like then what’s actually stopping you?

I certainly can’t see it. Nor can anyone else unless you CHOOSE to share.

I will say there are writing groups and there are creative writing groups – don’t be put off if you don’t ‘find yourself fitting in’ because they ARE NOT RIGHT FOR YOU. Its not the other way around.

I run 3 writing groups  – I just had to set them up after becoming published – I felt I wanted to share the how.

Also, there are creative writing courses – they will teach you – the right way to write – but who are they? They are those who have practised writing – just like you will.

Some are brilliant – mentioning Ann Monica here – she was the best tutor I’ve ever come across. Thank you, Anne.

Then there are my other creative writing buddies – Frome Creative writing – Bath Creative writers – a bunch of people I joined forces with 20 years ago and all I can say is THANK YOU!

AND THE GROUPS I SET UP. They are also magnificent wonderful human beings who just want the same as me – feedback – constructive – not destructive – kind, but honestly supportive feedback so we can all grow and improve together.

Join me next time – with my next instalment on not telling people what you are writing and why.

Being in it for the long haul and ENJOYMENT!

And let me know when YOU START WRITING. I REALLY AM ROOTING FOR YOU.: