I'm writing a novel. I need help coming up with a structure, guideline, and developing a plotline.?

Question

I've got ideas but I can't seem to make them go together how I want. I think that by getting some sort of structure to my thoughts I can do a better job at figuring out what ideas need work on going with the flow along with an easier method of figuring out the entire story. I still don't really have a plot, even.

Answer 1

Are you sure you're writing a novel? Just what do you have? Vague ideas?

Okay. Write down all the ideas that you have onto 3x5 note cards, one per card. Then, sort the cards into the order that you want the ideas to appear in your novel. Start writing down more ideas on more note cards to fill the gaps.

Some things to consider are:

Plot - what's the action? what's happening?
Character - who's doing it? What's he/she/they like?
Setting - where's it all taking place?
Style - are you writing from a first person point of view, with the main character saying "I did this", or are you writing from third person, in which you write "He did this"?
Theme - man vs. man, man vs. nature, ...

Answer 2

Okay, so you're not really WRITING a novel, you're brainstorming it, right? I think the best thing to do is just write out your characters and bits of story that pop into your head. Find a notebook or something that you can just jot down something that pops into your head. Then, when you get a free minute or so, sit down and close your eyes and just brainstorm on one character or try and build on one event. Something like, "okay, she's a brunette, she's tall, brown....no, blue eyes....she likes....chicken....and dancing....." And just see what your brain comes up with. Then write it down and if it doesn't come all together at once, at least you have something to build on when you get that sudden spark of genius! Best of luck!

Answer 3

Maybe you should start out by writing some short stories first.