There are as many ways to write a novel as there are authors. Some authors are precious about their methods and procedures. Many authors go to University or College to learn how to write a novel. I am not giving courses a hard time but the important thing for most people, if they want to write a novel is that they write something. If you feel you need to polish up on writing or language skills or learn some new ones find the information from the best source that you have available.
Remember, no one learns to swim without getting into the water. It is the same with writing. Just give it a go! Practice the different parts of the process until you are happy with the result and like swimming a good coach will help you achieve quickly.
Read as widely as your time permits. I have found that I like some writers and not others. Their writing style, characters, or other factors interest me and I learn from them. Read different genres, it will broaden your outlook. I find that I now enjoy a greater variety of writers than I did before I started writing.
You can learn something from everybody and the local library will become a place of interest and excitement. Never be afraid that you might learn something new.
My view is that it does not matter where you start but that you finish what you start. There are no hidden secrets to the craft. Since writing is based on language use, the first consideration is that you write in a language that you are most comfortable. Having a high-level understanding of grammar makes the process easier as there is less editing required at the end. There are many people who can translate your novel into another language, if you do not know the language well enough. But remember, you first need to write!
Many people have told me that they have always wanted to write a book but do not have the time. Perhaps it is not a priority for them. Typically, a novel will have 70,000 to 120,000 words. Most people use a computer or laptop to prepare the information. To reduce errors in spelling and grammar, activate the spell-checker and grammar checker when writing. It saves time later. Each person enters information into a computer at different speeds. For me, when I am on a roll and have the plot in my head, I enter about 1,000 words per hour, so I need to allocate over 100 hours for the first draft of a typical novel. The more I write the quicker the words roll out!
Write regularly so that you retain the interest and learn from your mistakes.
The easiest way to kill the emerging novel is to be critical of it early. Finish the novel first. There will be sufficient time to polish it into the work that it was meant to be later.
It is pleasing when the words, 'The End' appear, but do not be fooled there is much work to be done.
Reading and writing are two great pastimes. I enjoy them both. My works are now available in Kindle and Paperback editions. They can be found through http://vur.me/giver2000/DNBOOKS
If you have any comments, please email me at DNivala@gmail.com.
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