Have You Ever Wanted to Write Your Own Great American Novel?
Here's how you do it. Step One: Begin.
Yup, just arrange a time, sit down and begin. That may sound trite, and perhaps a little simplistic, but who ever writes a story without just beginning?
Writers have an innate instinct about the stories that live inside them. At this point, don't even worry if it would sound good to an editor. Just get a notepad, or clear your desk before the computer, and BEGIN.
But you say, I have no formal training; I've not attended any creative writing courses. Let me assure you, your voice is still there. It just needs a little coaxing and encouragement to come out. That's why I say ... just BEGIN.
When Jane Austen was a young woman, she BEGAN. Her head was filled with stories that begged to be penned, expressions that lived deep within her that demanded to be told. So it is with most writers. With little orno formal training, Jane Austen wrote the great classics of Sense &Sensibility, Pride & Prejudice, Mansfield Park, and Emma. Her life only lasted 42 years, and then her voice was silenced forever. But before hat eventuality, she BEGAN.
Nowadays one needs to perhaps learn more than Miss Austen did in her century. The mechanics of writing a story have evolved tremendously since even several decades ago. To write a sellable story, a great deal of reading and research is expected. You must learn everything from how to Plot to how to build interesting and consistent Characters, how to maintain proper Point-Of-View for each of your characters and describe Settings that will draw your reader right into the page.
Three pieces of advice from a novelist who had no formal training whatsoever other than being in her high school Creative Writing Club, but who just published her first historical fiction novel. By the way, i was not self-published. Not that there is anything wrong with self-publishing, but it goes to making the point that she was able to convince a publisher and editors of the value of her work.
There is an endless supply of books, websites, seminars available to teach all aspects of writing. Enough that your brain will become frazzled trying to select just one or two or three from their sheer number.
First, in-between the moments that YOU ARE WRITING, decide what aspect of fiction writing (if you intend to write fiction)you would like to learn more about? How to develop and structure a scene for a short story? How to develop impressionable characters fora long story such as a novelette or novel? How to write believable dialogue.
Chart out in order of importance to you the subjects you most want to learn about. Then purchase a book dedicated to just that subject; study it over thoroughly (I make notes in the margins - my study books could never be re-sold!) and apply what you are learning to what you are writing.
A note of caution: don't buy a book or a CD a course on writing just because it is on sale, or because you know it is something you should eventually know. You can waste a lot of time and money that way. Be selective - you have already decided what should be first and therefore is most important. Stick to your list.
As you study your new book, don't hurry yourself. Take time to study it thoroughly. Then apply what you have just learned to what you have begun to write. By so doing, the habit and practice becomes ingrained through repetition.
Second, read other people's work. Read the work of contemporary novelists, read the classics, read books within your genre of interest, but also expand it. And not just read, but study their work.
What do you particularly like about the way they have written their story? Notice their opening pages, how they hooked you the reader and pulled right you in. Or not!
Were their characters memorable? Did you sympathize with the plight of the hero or another in particular? Or come to vehemently despise the villain? Note how the author accomplished building that feeling in you.
Did the cliffhanger at the end of each chapter make you want to read on? Can you apply that same method at the end of the chapters you are now writing?
Thirdly, and crucial to your development as a writer - network with other writers. This advice is similar to #2 above, which is sharing in the mindset of other writers, listening to how they accomplished what they have.
Join a writer's or critique group. Do a Google search and see what is available in your area. (If you can't attend one personally, there are always online groups.) Even if allyou do when you attend is listen, you're still networking.
And then, if you can, attend a writer's conference or two each year. The instruction and encouragement you receive while from others writers is invaluable to your confidence and development.
Admittedly,taking this route to writing your novel - writing every day, reading others' works when you can, and studying and applying the various different practices of effective writing - may take you longer to turn out your novel. Because each new step you learn could very well call for a whole new critique with edits of your story.
But the more you fill your mind with what works and what doesn't, the closer you will come to finishing your Great American Novel.
Better that it happens two years from now than never. Right? So ... today, why not plant yourself in a chair, have fun - and just BEGIN!
Here is wishing you hours full of learning and fun - Susie Schade-Brewer
Write Your Novel
