Getting ready to write is a lot like getting ready to run. You just have to run a bit faster and juggle a lot more balls!
When you’re writing a novel, you can’t just turn up one day and start writing. You have to have a plan and follow it carefully. You have to take time to research, to think, to turn ideas into fully fledged characters and settings, to weave the story, to create scenes, and to develop the plot. You need to have a game plan and stick to it!
The same goes for when you’re preparing to write a novel. You have to set aside time every day to work on your project, and you need to plan out each session. This article will tell you exactly how to do that.
Create a Study Break
When you’re first starting out as a writer, it’s easy to become obsessed with your work. You’ll put in long hours, churning out words, only taking short breaks to eat, drink, and sleep. You might even forget to have fun! If you find yourself in this situation, you need to take a step back and remind yourself why you’re doing this. Sometimes, the only way to achieve perfection is by stepping back and taking a break. Going through the motions without a break can burn you out and make you want to throw the towel in. So, take time out for yourself during your creative writing sessions and remind yourself why you’re there.
It’s important to note here that this is different from taking a break from your normal duties as a writer. For example, if you’re on an airplane and the cabin pressure begins to drop, you don’t just pull a sickie. You have to continue flying because your ‘creative writing break’ is only one item on your to-do list. It’s not a free pass to slack off.
Map Out the Structure
The first step in the creative writing process is to map out the structure. This means figuring out how you’ll lay out your material and how you’ll organize it. You’ll want to write a synopsis of the entire novel, and then you’ll break down this synopsis into individual chapters. You’ll also want to create a character outline and plot outline. You’ll need these two documents to flesh out your story and decide on your characters’ journeys. To create the plot outline, you can simply write down all the major plot points and follow the thread to create a clear picture in your mind of what happens in the story.
Once you have these three documents prepared, it’s time to begin putting them into practice. You can start by taking the plot and organizing it into the first draft. From there, you can continue to add to it and adjust as you go. To begin with, you can try writing one section of the plot per day, focusing on that for the day and moving on to the next the next day. This approach will help you build up a solid foundation for your plot and give you time to adjust as you go.
Brainstorm Ideas
The best way to develop ideas is to brainstorm. The act of coming up with lots of ideas, throwing them out there, and seeing which ones stick is a great way to develop material. There are many apps and websites which can be useful for this, and you can find lots of advice online on how to do this effectively. When you run out of ideas, it can be a bad sign. But you should know that nothing stops you from coming back the next day with another idea and following where it leads.
Organize Your Materials
Once you have a solid plot built and you’re ready to begin writing, it’s time to organize your materials. You’ll want to create a notebook or file where you can keep all your work. This doesn’t have to be fancy, and you can even use a simple Excel worksheet to keep your notes in. Just make sure you have everything you need in one place. As mentioned above, taking time out to write is important, so don’t put this off. Once you return from your ‘creative writing break’, it’s time to buckle down and get to work.
Plan Out Each Day’s Writing Session
When you’re writing a novel, you have to plan out each day’s writing session. Just like you would a regular workday, you can set aside time in the morning to write for a few hours and then get on with your day. It’s important to note here that this doesn’t mean you have to sit down and write for an hour straight without stopping. You can set short writing breaks throughout the day, as long as you follow the daily schedule.
You can use a simple pen and paper to make this easier. Just write down the days and hours that you have available for writing, as well as any important notes. You can even make a simple calendar so that you can keep track of all your appointments. This will help you plan out each day’s writing session without any distractions or errors. It also helps you look back at what you’ve written and see how much you’ve accomplished. Instead of getting bogged down in the ‘what happens next’ puzzle, being able to look back at your calendar and see all your completed dates can give you a sense of accomplishment and pride.
Take Breaks
Taking breaks is extremely important as a writer. Just like when you’re running, you need to stop occasionally and take a break. If you continue to write non-stop, you’ll either burn out or end up with sloppy, unpolished work. So, it’s important to take time out for yourself during your writing sessions. This doesn’t mean that you have to stop writing entirely. You can take a walk, go for a drive, or cook dinner. Whatever you do, just make sure that it gives you time away from your work so that you can come back and continue where you left off. When you take a break, you’ll have time to come back with new ideas and fresh perspectives, and you’ll be able to put these into practice as you continue writing.
To end this article, I want to stress that getting ready to write is not as easy as it may seem. The process is a lot of work, and it doesn’t happen overnight. So, don’t expect to just walk in the door and start writing. You have to put in the work to make it happen. But that’s what makes it so special when it does happen. As a writer, you’ll find that the work is not sitting still. You’ll be creating something new every day, and that’s something to be proud of.