THE WRITE APPROACH?

Many new writers are deterred by the thoughts of having to complete an entire novel. The good news is that completing a novel is completely possible; the bad news is that not every completed novel will be a bestseller. The excuses for not being able to complete the novels range from procrastination and writer’s block to lack of time and financial support. Obviously every novelist has their own tried and trusted techniques but I would like to share what worked for me, having recently completed 4 novels for young adult readers, one of which has been launched internationally.

Many writers rely on spontaneity to ensure fresh and creative ideas.  This is great for short bursts of writing but completing a novel requires a lot more planning and organizing. The type of writing process followed will determine the speed with which a writer will complete his/her novel. I’ve outlined the key steps below.

• Step one: Write an abstract of what your novel will entail.

• Step two: Determine the primary characters (number of key characters, key function of characters etc.)

• Step three: Draw a flow diagram or decision tree that will relate relevant key events for the main plot(s). This is important because it will ensure a smooth flow of the story.

• Step four:  Interweave sub-plots. The sub-plots should add a lot of flavour to the main story and should also be relevant to the main plot.

• Step five: Place events plotted in the flow diagram (step two), within chapters.

• Step six:  Provide broad outlines of all events/happenings within each chapter. This would provide a skeletal framework of the actual novel.

• Step seven: Complete a detailed character analysis (at this point, the writer should know what each character is expected to achieve and must be able to define the characters in terms of: physical descriptions (eye colour, hair colour, height, weight, face, built), dialect, conflicts, motivations, goals, likes and dislikes, quirks, if the character is on the side of good or evil etc.). It is particularly useful if the author can liken each of the characters to an existing character (be it the next door neighbour or a character like batman.). The importance of doing this is, of course, so that you can fully relate to each of your characters as their creator and your flow of thoughts will not be interrupted during the actual novel writing by having to think what each character will say or how.

• Step eight: Return to the first chapter and write the detailed novel within the constraints of the chapter outline.

This method may be frustrating initially but as it becomes part of your writing etiquette, it will get easier. It will certainly decrease the chances of writer’s block. Spontaneity should not be disregarded within the structured writing framework, but it should be managed within it to get best results. One technique is where surplus ideas, thoughts, paragraphs etc. are scribbled on a ‘scratchpad’. Who knows, this may provide a nucleus for a new book.

Writing should be judiciously conducted everyday, whether you’re a full time writer or not. Deciding on a regular time slot within your current schedule will also assist in ensuring that the novel develops and progresses because you will be obliged to write.

I hope that this approach will prove as useful to other novelists, as it did for me. For a detailed writing model, please email me at Magicon@webmail.co.za

Happy writing!

By Nalini Sooknanan

Article printed in the Write Stuff Magazine (Writers 2000); 2005