How do you prepare to write a novel?

Answer 1

When a story pops in my head I take notes then....
1) I figure a time line and start developing characters
2) I make reference notes on each character...age, description, how they link to story and so on
3) Once I start typing I usually do not not where it is going to take me.
4) After a few chapters I read and edit my own work, I continue to due this throughout the manuscript
5) I find myself playing the roles of each character in my mind..building dialog
6) Always carry a note book when you are away from your desk. Some of your best thoughts will come when you least expect it
7) Once you are finished...edit...write and rewrite. Do not send sloppy work filled with typos to an editor
8) I always get copy rights on my work before submitting
9) From there either hire an agent or do your own leg work. The Writer's Guide is a must have book! It list Publishers, what genre they accept and so on.
10) Always follow the publishers submission guidelines...if not you are wasting your time.
11) Do your homework before submitting work

That sums it up! If you are meant to be an Author is in your heart....it is a lot of commitment!

Answer 2

1. Write an outline.
2. Research.
3. Rewrite your outline.
4. Write your first chapter.
5. Research.
6. Rewrite your first chapter.
7. Revise your outline.
8. Research.
9. Repeat ad naseum.
10. Decide it's all crap. Spend a day at the park in the sunshine around people that do not exist entirely in your own head.
11. Revise your chapters/outline.
12. Research.
13. Revise some more.
14. Submit for a second opinion.
15. Tear your hair out waiting for an opinion that you know will be totally wrong anyway.
16. Revise everything.
17. Walk away in disgust.
18. Submit for publication. What's the worst that could happen? They could tell you it's crap, but you already know that, so what the hell.
19. Tell everyone you know this writing thing just isn't going to work for you. Fiction is bogus anyway, the province of writers who are too disconnected to understand the real world.
20. Get acceptance letter in the mail.
21. Die of shock. (Optional)

Answer 3

HuggyBunny's got it right. Unless you have a computer in which case it goes like this:

Step one: sit down at computer
Step two: make sure it's on
Step three: engage brain, disengage internal editor
Step four: write
Step four and a half: SAVE YOUR WORK (backup, print it out, whatever you have to do)
Step five: finish what you write
Step six: revise what you write
Step seven: submit, submit, submit

If you're asking how I prepare to write a novel, it goes like this:

Get a really good idea
Percolate it in my brain
Get a handle on my main character, follow him/her around the landscape in my head for a while and see if I like him/her/the landscape enough to cope with all of them for 80K words.
Sometimes I jot ideas or dialogue down.
Sometimes I don't.
Sometimes I write a chapter or so and realize "this was a good idea in theory but actually it sucks."
Sometimes I can salvage some of the idea, sometimes I go back to the drawing board and start again.

Then I follow the same steps as above. Longhand or computer.

It's not rocket science. The two hardest parts are remembering to back up your work and finishing.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Ariel is quite correct. First comes the idea, then block out a story line with the charactrers, setting, time frame, etc.

The most important thing however is to be persistient. Write every day, even if you end up sh**itcanning what you wrote.

I've written two novels and am working on a third. None have been published yet, but I keep on writing. Never Give Up!

Answer 5

Get a typewriter/word-processor, come up with an idea, sit down every morning at 0800 and don't stop until you have four pages of usable copy. Robert A. Heinlein became one of the most famous and success full Science Fiction authors in history that way, winning 6 or 7 Hugos along the way.

Answer 6

Not sure if you are asking for advise here, or if you want to know what I do.
So here's what I do.

Research my idea, try to come up with a twist that will make my plot different, and then just write.
I'm not one who uses an outline, even though it has been recommended. I just find it too restrictive for my creativity.

If you're asking what you should do, visit this site and read as much as you can. Take notes and learn, learn, learn!
Then find an editor, or someone that will proofread your work.

Answer 7

Have a story to tell, first. Then, create or flesh out your preliminary major characters, maybe even writing a short bio of each (as pertains to the story). Then, try out a few opening scenes, on paper of course, choose the best one, and go!

Answer 8

Personally, when I start writing, I create individual note pagesfor all my potential chapters,andsubject matter. Then I research everything, placing notes upon thepages. Makes it easier, so that you can then just start writing with everything already in order before you. Also it helps in arranging the storyline.
I hope this helps. P.S. check out emtheme.com

Answer 9

The first thing to do is develop your characters. Then an outline of what is going to happen in your story. There are a lot of good books that can help you.

Answer 10

Step one: Buy paper.
Step two: Buy pen.
Step three: Bring brain.
Step four: Put pen on paper.
Step five: Write.
Step six: Write NOVEL.
Step seven: Finish novel.
Step eight: Publish.