The Beginner's Guide to Writing a Novel: How to Prepare Your First Book for Publication

208 Pages·2006·1 MB·English

by  Marina Oliver

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Contents
List of illustrations ix
Preface xi
Acknowledgements xiii
Foreword by Diane Pearson xv
1 Taking Those First Vital Steps 1
The reasons novelists write 1
Being professional 2
Being methodical 5
Novels are easier to publish than short stories 9
They’ll take so much time! A fallacy 9
Studying the market 10
Studying the craft 14
Discussion points 15
2 Finding the Right Story 17
Looking for ideas everywhere 17
An example 20
Plotting 21
Doing research 25
Discussion points 29
3 Creating the Right Characters 30
Choosing your cast with care 30
Fleshing out characters 32
Working out relationships and conflicts 41
Discussion points 42
4 Getting Ready to Start 44
Choosing the right title 44
Using the right viewpoints 46
Establishing your voice 49
Getting the beginning right 50
Discussion points 56
v
vi / T H E B EG I NN E R ’ S GU I D E T O WR I T I NG A NOV E L
5 Looks and Language 58
Presentation matters 58
Making language work for you 65
Using grammar, punctuation and spelling 67
Using vocabulary, slang and dialect 69
Using dialogue 72
Discussion points 74
6 Setting the Scene 75
Paying attention to detail 75
Checking the facts 76
Teasing the senses 78
Using description and flashbacks 78
The middle must be compulsive reading 83
Useful reference books 85
Discussion points 87
7 The Overall View 88
Avoiding writer’s block 88
Directing your scenes 90
Controlling the pace 91
Considering the overall pattern 92
Keeping the pages turning 97
Cliffhanging techniques 99
Writing a satisfying ending 100
Discussion points 101
8 Submitting Your Work 102
Final polishing 102
Using an agent 106
Entering competitions 107
Choosing the right publisher 108
Preparing proposals, outlines and synopses 109
Multiple submissions 113
Discussion points 116
CON T EN T S / vii
9 Working with Other Writers 117
Different methods 117
Books and magazines 118
Joining home study courses 120
Obtaining professional criticism 120
Networking 121
Joining writers’ groups 121
Attending courses, workshops and weekends 124
Resources on the Internet 125
Discussion points 125
10 Being Published 126
Contracts, copyright and legal matters 126
The process of publication 128
Book jackets 129
Publicity in many guises 130
Advances, royalties and subsidiary rights 136
Public Lending Right 137
Allowable expenses 137
Income tax and VAT 139
Final tips and words of encouragement 140
Discussion points 142
Appendix 1 – Sources of Quotes 143
Appendix 2 – List of UK publishers 147
Appendix 3 – Internet Sites 151
Glossary 159
Useful Addresses 168
Further Reading 177
Index 187
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List of Illustrations
1 Two character profiles 34
2 An edited page of a script 61
3 A title page 63
4 An example of poor layout 66
5 An example of good layout 66
6 Keeping track of scenes 93
7 The peaks and troughs of one plot 96
8 Adding two subplots 96
9 Publicity aids you can organise 133
10 Simple income and expenditure records 138
ix