Did you outline your novel, or simply proceed with the ideas that inspired you to pick up your pen?
I started off as a pantser and wrote a first draft, but I was far from satisfied with the end product. I decided to start again using most of my original ideas and writing. I already had the theme and genre of my novel. I also had the beginning, middle and end.
I divided my ideas for the beginning of my novel into a series of chapters, and did the same for the middle, which had the most chapters, then I made a list of chapters for the last section and the ending. Lastly, I reduced my list of characters to eight, including the protagonist.
After much rewriting and many thorough edits, I am happy with my manuscript, but I still have work to do.
It has been a long, exhausting, mind-bendingly hard struggle with many head-scratching moments. My brain feels like a worn-out piece of chewing gum, but I felt more confident writing to a plan.
I would never dream of planning a novel. That would be like planning to dream.
Best not to decide exactly on a character's type or personality buy allow them to grow and develop in their own way within the story. Sometimes my characters surprise me by becoming something I didn't suspect! And even the most type-bound personality can sometimes do something 'out of character' or react in an unexpected way. This is what makes people, real or imaginary, interesting.
Hi Elsie.
I settled on eight characters, four male and four female. In the beginning I knew them, but not well enough to individualise and define them from each other.
Malorie Blackman writes a two or three page synopsis about each of her characters before she starts writing. I didn't do that. I simply gave each of my cast a particular characteristic that defined them from each of the other characters.
I settled on an impulsive male cavalry commander as the protagonist, a wise mentor to the protagonist, an unswervingly loyal knight, a psychotic tyrant, a young girl with amazing healing powers, a short-tempered female cavalry commander, a dedicated female cavalry commander. A fearlessly brave female cavalry commander.
Then came the mind-bendingly hard process of ensuring they all stayed in character.