The idea is wonderful but can be very overwhelming and stressful. Ideas and continuity is the key factor to bear in mind when moving from one chapter to next. The trick is to avoid too much thinking on getting started and simply get started. Thoughts, plots and crossplots which gradually start to fall into place. Key characters will soon develop a repertoire of their own. A novel may sometimes need to be rewritten many times before a final polished version becomes available.
The main idea and theme surrounding ideas for your novel will be at the back of your mind. From chapter one, the writer will know how the story reaches a climax and when. The final outcome of the story has to be planned carefully and a simultaneous, not so forced ending reached as naturally as possible.Most often the end of a storyline should not end abruptly.
First things first. Forget about how you will get published. A polished masterpiece needs to be in your hands first. Once this is more or less accomplished then you can progress onto the next step. Rather focus on the here and now and give your novel the ultimate best. Find ways to let the creative juices flow and churn a best novel ever written in the face of time.
Also decide if your storyline will be written in the first of third person. If writing in the first person, a key character will let the story unfold as he or she sees it, happening in the here and now. You may have to become this key character and give life to his or her story.
Collect wads of paper and jot down the key essence and theme of each Chapter. This will also give you an idea of how long your novel is roughly going to be. Work around each idea for each chapter and fill in the body, paying attention to every possible detail. As you progress, you need to back as thoughts and new ideas crop up. Sometimes you may need to change the storyline slightly to accommodate these new developments.
Try not showing your unfinished work to others unless you choose to include a co author. Once again try not copying story lines from movies or other works. Let this original idea be yours alone. Some chapters may still be hanging, leave them aside if unfinished and continue with your plot. You can come back later and finish them when necessary. This also allows you to go back and create space in the scenes for chapters to follow.
There has to be continuity and a smooth flow throughout the write. A novel is not simply a jumbled collection of words bound together making no sense. It should not confuse the reader but stimulate one to read on until the end. The initial preparations will be chaotic and quite confusing. Organisation and planning is vital and very important.
Each writer will play around with many different writing styles and planning methods until the they find the best one that work best for them. As the manuscript comes to reality, read and re read the script jotting down notes and changes that will make this finished work look better. Depending on the commitment and speed of any writer, a good novel can be churned in a few months. It is the editing and polishing that takes longer, before you submit to publishers.
In all of this never give up. Stay positive and let your dreams alive until the finished product is ready. Choose a safe and tranquil writing spot away from too much noise and distractions. When an “aha” moment arrives, it is best to jot down your thoughts immediately on any available scraps of paper. Much later the same tempo may be completely lost or even forgotten. Best of luck with writing your next or first novel.
