While the editing process continued, I was able to write the core of my first sci-fi novel, Out of the Gray, in less than three months.
Now in my opinion the aspect of writing a novel at a fast pace doesn't have as much to do with time frame as it does with intensity--in other words don't get upset if it takes you 120 days. Just be persistent. There are millions of people out there who want to write a book--out of those, a small percentage will start one. Of those who start, only a small percentage will finish. Distractions and frustrations are two things that cause many people to fall by the wayside, but it doesn't have to happen to you.
Here are some more tips that I hope you'll find helpful:
- First of all, you can pull off writing a novel this fast by spending a lot more time on the front-end of things than most writers tend to do. If you're going to write a novel in ninety days, spend at least thirty of it preparing before you even start Chapter 1. This may seem frustrating at first, but it saves you from a lot of reworking and backtracking as new ideas come to you.
- Character development is the key to all of this--you can have the best plot in the world, but if your characters are not convincing readers are not going to care. Work on your characters until they're real to you--if you do this, writing the actual novel becomes the easy part.
- Carry a notebook around with you wherever you go--the notepad application on your cell phone is handy as well. Ideas are going to come to you throughout your day, and if you're not careful you will lose them. Having your novel on your mind during times where most people are bored and idle (such as when you're having to wait in line) will cause more ideas to come to you.
- As you get started on writing the novel, realize that you have to stay focused to get it done. Distractions are everywhere, but it comes down to a decision on your priorities. People do what they have the inner desire to do--in the beginning it can be tough, but over time the process does get easier. Talk to your family and close friends at the beginning and explain that this goal is important to you. It will clear up any issues as far as your time without hurting anyone's feelings.
- Plotting, structure, point-of-view, and style are going to vary based on the type of novel you're doing.
Since I have more of a television/broadcasting mindset, I plotted my novel scene-by-scene with what's called an "A" story and a "B" story. If you watch dramatic television shows, and you'll see they often switch sets of characters right at suspenseful moments.
Some writers prefer outlining everything from the beginning, while others prefer discovering more of the plot as they write. What happened with me was a little of both--I knew the basic beginning, middle, and end, but a lot of fine details did not surface until I started writing. You have to be flexible, and don't expect things to be perfect the first draft. - The revising process is just as important as the initial preparation for the novel. There is a great book by Sol Stein called On Writing that I would recommend even before you start your novel.
Once you've done everything you can do yourself, get a small group of trusted and qualified people that can help you with feedback. For example, my strong point as a writer is character development, but my weakness is grammar. I let a group of writer friends I've affectionately termed "the grammar police" tear into my rough draft until they were happy. Other sets of eyes and perspectives can catch things that you'll miss by yourself.
More Links and Resources:
- Fictional Character Development Template
- The Writer's Library (More Writing How-to Articles)
- Web Writer Central
This is my perspective on what processes work for me. If you have additional tips or a different approach you'd like to share, feel free to comment on what helps you.
Have a great day!
Tricia
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Comments: 17
Great Advice. Thanks for sharing.
Wonderful advice. Any good ideas on writing memoirs?
I have nothing to add, but want to reinforce what you've said here to all readers. This is precisely the step-by-step process that I go through.
Before I actually started writing, I had spent almost three years developing a story in my head from an idea I had one morning. I had a six-hour drive every week and used that time to work on ideas. I also carried a pocket recorder to put down some specific scene ideas (I also have a broadcast mindset, which I why I write in third person omniscient -- camera point of view).
When I finally sat down to write, the first draft of my first novel (130Kwords) was complete in 30 days. I already knew the plot, the characters (intimately), and the majority of scenes before word one was set down.
On my first revision, I got some outstanding critiques and suggestions from several writer's groups that I belonged to and I used them in my second draft.
Where I diverge from your suggestions is that I then took the second draft and adapted it into a screenplay so that I could concentrate on and polish the dialogue. Movies and television are primarily dialogue and this allows me not to be distracted by scenery and action. I then read all dialogue out loud into a recorder and listen to it back to check for natural speech. It is important to me that dialogue sound exactly how normal people speak, not what the Chicago Manual of Style says is grammatically correct.
When I was satisfied with that, I then take the screenplay and adapt it back into a prose novel, concentrating on the scene and action. It actually took longer to polish the work for submission (about two months) than it did to write it in the first place.
These are very good suggestions that really should be followed to the letter. This will eliminate any potential for "writer's block" caused by lack of planning.
Lots of great advice here!! Thanks.
This is good information. I'm going to send my daughter over here so she can read it because she's planning her book and has some notes already and unfortunately she has several distractions to overcome.
Writing a novel has to be treated like any job. You set specific hours to work and do it. It can't be a hit and miss thing.
I set three hours every day as my writing time. My daily goal is 3,000 words, which is quite easy to do. If she allows distractions or chooses times when other's will be interrupting, she'll never finish.
I am definitely going to take this into consideration due to the fact that I have some stuff written. I would love to get published but my fear is rejection and being bi polar has a tendency to make me pretty ADD.
I believe it took me two years to write my first draft, so I certainly could have focused more. Of course, I was working two jobs at the time, so I look back with a certain pride that I (1) started the novel in spite of time constraints, and more importantly, (2) finished it. This is sound advice, and I liked Walker's tip on a digital recorder, which is handy and less cumbersome than a notebook, or having to stop and type on a pad. I have nothing but respect for anyone who can write a novel in 90 days. Perhaps on my next go I'll be able to nail it.
I have written many, many articles, lots of poems, and several short stories, but to me, a novel is still an amazing accomplishment. Thanks for your suggestions and tips.
I am going to look at this. I have started writing books quite a few times but I have never really finished.
Good suggestions, Patricia.
I've don NaNoWriMo a couple of times. It's good to have periods were writing is focussed.
It makes sense to first prepare and then write - fully focused and without distraction. Then you still need a month or two for revisions and grammatical corrections.
Congrats, Tricia for your dedication and getting the job done.
I happen to like writing outlines of my characters and their traits. Then, I sit down and begin with chapter one. After that, I just let it flow from there.
thanks!
This is an excellent article with great advice
Thanks so much for the great tips.