Who can advise on how to do an outline for a novel? Is it simply chapter one followed by a brief summary, followed by chapter two with the same and so on until the end? Are you expected to say much about the characters?
Who can advise on how to do an outline for a novel? Is it simply chapter one followed by a brief summary, followed by chapter two with the same and so on until the end? Are you expected to say much about the characters?
Thank you again, Toni and Adrian. I've ordered the Forster book from the library and will no doubt end up buying it. As for NaNoWriMo, I'm wondering how it works. Can you file one slab of 1,000 words, followed by another piece of 4,000 words and so on, without having roughly equal chapters? Do you need an overall title and chapter headings? Do they expect you to file an outline with chapters and characters before you send off the actual words of the novel? Sorry for all the queries.
The reason I say do what you want (apart from my general disregard for the rules), is because what works for the goose might not work for the gander. Some prefer visual aids, such as post notes, or story maps. I prefer to have a general timeline of what happens. When I write, I do so for myself. I think I would be draining the fun from writing if I know exactly what's going to happen - but that's just me.
Have you checked out any of the Nano forums?
Anthony, I believe that most people who enter NaNoWriMo, plan beforehand.