Are you a pantser, or did you plan your novel?
Did you outline your novel, or simply proceed with the ideas that inspired you to pick up your pen?
I planned my novel from the beginning to the end, then wrote the first draft. However, I was far from satisfied with the end product. I realised that the ending didn’t have conformity with the beginning. But changing the ending and the beginning, meant doing a complete thematic and structural edit of my first draft. But as I did this, I had ideas for further improvement. After much rewriting and many thorough edits, I am happy with my manuscript, but I still have work to do.
How are you getting on with your novel?
Thanks Jimmy, poem[s] sent.
Penny, congratulations on writing two novels.
I've finished two novels, and I'm halfway through the first draft of a third. So far I'm unpublished.
I'm definitely a planner.
Firstly I live with the main characters in my mind, for months and even years. Then I write the opening and closing scenes. Then I focus on the story arc. I write scenes that correspond to points on the story arc, knowing that I may jettison them at a later stage.
For my current novel I have had the other characters write about the eponymous protagonist and how they perceive her. That's given me a considerable understanding of who she is, and how to write about her. It's given me some text for the novel, but much of it is backstory. And all of that is to prepare the first draft...