While some authors prefer to use a Write and See approach, most writers like to have a good deal of planning done before the actual writing part of creative writing happens. Here is a good step-by-step process for preparing to write a novel.
Plot Statement
Before even the names for characters have been decided, the writer needs to convert the light bulb idea for the novel into a basic statement that encapsulates for him or her (and later for the prospective publisher and reader) the core idea of the book. It must be a single sentence – the shorter the better. These pithy statements can be seen every day on the back covers of books. The following examples are what the novice writer should aim for:
- High Level Security officer and sole parent has to get her kidnapped 4-year-old daughter back from a deranged terrorist who will exchange the child for code access to military establishment where she works.
- Accused murderer is on the run and must find the one-armed man he saw at the scene of his wife’s murder before the police catch him.
- A confused time-traveller, suffering memory loss, has a vague idea he was in Pompeii for a humanitarian reason, figures it out when he sees smoke from Vesuvius, but can’t remember what he did with his time machine.
Plot Outline
From this plot statement, the writer can then devise a plot outline. This is a simple expansion that creates the familiar 3-act structure that Aristotle devised around 350 BC, and thousands of movie screenplay writers and novelists have used ever since. The three acts can be called Set-up, Confrontation, and Resolution.
- Set-up: The first third of the book sets up the characters, setting and basic premise. It usually ends with the first major disaster for the main character (MC).
- Confrontation: In this lengthy middle section of the novel—deemed the hardest part to write—you present your poor MC with tougher and tougher challenges and reversals which he or she overcomes. The Act culminates in the ‘darkest moment’, that point where all seems lost.
- Resolution: The resolution contains the MC’s answer to the terrible problems that have been set up, the tying up of loose ends, the achievement of the MC’s goals, and a satisfying resolution to the story.
This structure should be familiar; it’s the basis for every book and movie. Readers expect it; authors have to deliver it.
The Chapter-by Chapter Working Summary
Now that the key plot points are in place, it remains to fill in the gaps! If the entire book, as expressed in the plot statement, is considered to be A – Z, those key plot points, and hence, chapters, might be A, F, J, M, P, T and Z. Now that these are written, it’s not so hard to take each section, the first, let’s say, and convert A – F into A B C D E F. That is the chapter-by-chapter working summary.
The simplest way to build a Working Summary is to simply create a Word file, start with chapter 1, and move on down the page with subsequent chapters. Keep the details scant. Add a few ‘stage directions’ and notes. Here is an example of a possible chapter summary.
Chapter 1
POV: Bill James. Setting – downtown NYC. Bill leaves office late at night. Car mounts pavement and tries to run him down. Show Bill confounded at why anyone would deliberately do this. Ordinary Joe Blow, etc etc. Confused, he goes home. Makes coffee, hits answering machine button. THINKS: might be girl friend Jessica, currently on volunteer project in Mozambique. Instead, ugly, scary message. Get you NEXT time!
Chapter 2.
POV: Jessica Coventry. Setting – orphanage, Vilanculos in Moz. J. Working with kids. Create sense of warmth of personality, delight in kids. As J. Leaves work for the day, approached by small boy carrying grubby envelope. Letterhead paper for very ritzy resort. [Research: find most expensive.] Note from Reception saying Mr Bill James has arrived and is expecting her in Suite 145. J. Puzzled. Spoke to Bill 2 nights before and he voiced no such intentions. How could he get here so fast? Super-expensive resort not his style. Don’t indicate any alarm. Allow reader to fear for her. Cliff hanger: goes to Suite 145. Cliff hanger: door opens and hand pulls her in. End scene.
From here, the actual writing task takes over. Expect even the best plans to change as characters take over and the subconscious mind offers ideas that the initial planning never envisaged. This process could be considered pre-planning, and is just a small aspect of how to write a novel. Beginning writers will benefit from a free monthly writing newsletter which contains writing prompts, advice and competitions and mentoring.
