Writing a Novel Outline

Deciding the if and how of writing a novel outline is highly debated among novelists. Some novel writers say that writing a novel outline is necessary at the outset. And others would say they can't get started with an outline. So, which way is the right way? In my opinion, the right way is the one that gets the work done.

Personally, writing a novel outline works for me. I have to know which way my story is going before I start. Some people need the certainty of points on paper to keep themselves on track. Writing a novel outline ensures your story will not drift off track and include scenes that stop the flow of events and action. Whatever it takes to help you sit down and write that novel, that's the right way.

Many people wonder about writing a novel in the best way, and sometimes I give the simple answer. You sit down and write it, which is true. But I know we all like to feel like we're on the right track, so here's how I write a novel outline. Over the years I have read hundreds of novels, and for many of these novels I have written a 1 to 3 sentence summary of each chapter. This helps me to understand the structure of the novel. When writing a novel outline, the initial outline might be very sparse. As you develop the story, and even after you have already written a few chapters, you will get a better sense of where you are going. At this point, writing a novel outline will entail writing the chapter outlines. They may change later, but they ought to make sense for now.

On average, a finished novel is about 80,000 to 100,000 words. I scheduled myself 1000 words a day. I owe my book a thousand words a day, no matter what. I don't go to bed until my work is done, and I don't take days off. I know myself, and if I take a day off, I'll be completely off schedule. Even if I write more than a thousand words today, I don't carry a balance. I still owe my book a thousand new words the next day.

I start my day by reading and editing yesterday's work, this puts me right back in the action so I can turn off my soundtrack and get to writing. Therefore, in 3 months, after writing 90,000 words, I'll have my first draft of a new novel. But that's just how I work. It's the right way for me, but it's not the right way for everyone. The only right way to write a novel is to sit down and start writing.

Writing an outline for a novel helps many novelists stay organized and write with purpose. Many times, writers who do not use a novel end up writing page after page and scene after scene that does not fit into the overall novel. A novel ghostwriter can help you to outline the overall story or to write and edit specific scenes.

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How To Write A Book - A Writers Guide

Maybe you've thought about starting a book, but you're left wondering exactly how to write a book. Perhaps you have an idea for a children's book - that's a good start. However, if you really want to write a book of your own, you need a good guide that will help you ensure it gets done and you aren't working on the same book 10 years from now.

Of course, commitment is one of the first essentials that you'll need. With commitment on your side, you have a great shot at becoming the next published author. Here is a simple writer's guide to follow that will help you go through the process of writing a good book.

Know the Subject

If you want to know how to write a book, the first step is to know the subject you'll be writing on. Go with a subject you enjoy or one that you have a lot of expertise in. Just remember, no matter the subject, you need to ensure there is a demand for that information.

Decide on the Audience

Now it's time to decide on the audience for your book. Ask yourself what the age of the children will be who are reading your work. Will this age require illustrations? You want a book that will fill a specific need. Once you know the audience, you can make sure your book caters to that audience.

Write a Short Summary

Next, write a short summary of the book. With just 1-4 sentences, summarize the entire book. This will take a bit of thinking on your part, which will help you to begin to craft the book in your mind. This summary can become your mission statement for the book to keep you focused as you write and make sure you stay on task and on subject.

Choose the Title for the Book

The next step to take if you're wondering how to write a book is to choose the title for the book. You need a title that is focused and compelling. A good title will make it easier for you to write the book and will keep you focused on the direction you're going in while you are writing.

Write Summaries for Every Character

Write down all of the characters you plan on using within your book. Then, write summaries for every character. Start out with a paragraph for each one and then build up to an entire page for each character if you are writing a longer book. The better you know the characters, the better your book will read.

Develop a List of Scenes

Another great idea to help you write a book is to develop a list of scenes. List all the scenes that are needed to turn your idea into a book. You can write this down on paper or you can put the list into a spreadsheet. Then you can use this list of scenes to guide you as you begin the writing process.

Start Writing

Now you're actually ready to begin writing. All of the previous steps will help you in the writing process. You'll have your summary, title, character summaries, and list of scenes to help you as you are doing the actual writing. Create specific times to write to ensure that you write every day if at all possible.

Take Time to Edit

When many people want to know how to write a book, they often forget about taking time to edit what they write. However, some writers make the editing phase take too long. Don't allow editing to become an exercise in procrastination. Get in there and start editing. Cut areas that are not needed in the book. Edit grammar and make any changes in the storyline that are needed. Just don't allow this to take so long that it gets you off track.

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3 Ways to Create More Suspense in Your Writing

Suspense is defined as an excitement that one feels while waiting to find out what has happened and what will happen next. The element of suspense arouses the curiosity of readers and keeps them engrossed in the story. Human beings by nature are eager to discover the hidden secrets of the unknown phenomenon existing around them. Suspense, thrill, mystery and adventure tempt the readers and maintain their interest in the novel or drama they read till end.

Suspense actually includes those factors that are the components of a melodrama. Thus it has its links with horror, mystery, terror and fear as well. All these elements go side by side in any piece of writing that can be termed as a melodrama.

Different writers use different tools to create suspense in their writings. It mostly depends on their imagination and how they express their thoughts as means of communication to their readers. In other words each writer has his own style of creating suspense depending upon the plot in his novel.

The first element of suspense in a story is created by introducing a mysterious plot that makes events complicated for the main characters. The story starts with excited events like murder, kidnapping, robbery, accident etc. They are trapped in a series of unexpected events that arouse a lot of question in the minds of the readers and to find answers to these questions they prefer reading the story in one sitting. The author gives a lot of twists and turns to the events developing the plot. Each time the readers are startled by the sudden and unexpected change of events and this prompts them to follow the author's trail of creating suspense. They are eager to know that how the problems would resolve and the different characters will reach their destination. In the story "Heat Lightning," by Robert.F. Carro, suspense is created in the same manner as the girl running away from the killer identified him only in the end. The readers anxiously read the story to find out who is the killer.

The second element is that of specifying the time factor. Most of the suspense stories are set in a specific time span expending to a night, fortnight, a period of vacation etc. It sets a limited time for the characters to attain their goals before it's too late. This is a vital tool used by the writers to create suspense. It is the same technique used to take the readers to the heights of thrill and adventure. It creates climax of the story.

The third element is the setting of the story. Create a dangerous environment that brings tension and worries for the main characters. They must be entangled by danger and fear of the enemy mostly a villain. Let them be isolated from others. There must be some dreadful encounter with the enemy. This arouses questions like, "what should the hero do to come out of a terrible situation?"

This is how we can develop even a simple plot into a unique one that indulges the readers in the story and maintains their interest.

Here is another article from me. Hope it 'll entertain and engross my readers.
Naheed Haq.