What exactly would be the best way to plan your novel, considering the sheer size of the story (Which is about 60,000 words) without following the traditional Beginning, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action and Conclusion planning style?
What exactly would be the best way to plan your novel, considering the sheer size of the story (Which is about 60,000 words) without following the traditional Beginning, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action and Conclusion planning style?
Antoinette I just have to comment on where you pull your ideas from... I know magicians have rabbits and hats, but I thought it was just politicians that pulled ideas from there!!! Sorry it made me laugh. Paul.
Do I really plan my novel?
well, i know exactly what theme i have in mind and my likely audience.
then i just write, am not sure this works for everyone though.
Halfway through a title pops in. I create my characters as inspired.
What is the genre of your novel? In what time and place is it set?
What is the theme of your novel? What is it about? Can you summarise the theme of your novel in a sentence? What does the protagonist hope to achieve by the end of the novel?
Now that you know what your protagonist wants, make a list of the rounded-characters, including the protagonist. 5 or 6 rounded-characters is best.
After you have decided on your characters, you can write a short synopsis on each of them. Have at least one characteristic that is unique to, and so, defines each of your rounded-characters.
What class or social background do they come from. Are your characters rich, poor, young, old, married, single, male, female, hard working, lazy, honest, deceitful, educated, kind, generous, bitter, jealous, revengeful, etc.
Now plot your novel..Think about how you're going to start your novel. How are you going to get from the beginning to the middle, and from the middle to the end?
Make a list of the dramatic scenes in your head that will form individual chapters.
Make a list of 20 working chapter titles from your ideas.
3000 words a chapter is a good guide, or, 8 - 10 pages. However, chapters do not have to be uniform in length, but it's not advisable to have chapters of less than 5 or 6 pages.
I hope my brief summary helps.
Good luck.