It is said that everyone has a novel in them. Sadly, most people don’t ever get to write that novel. Sometimes it is down to a lack of motivation. Other times it may be due to a lack of confidence, uncertainty about what to write, or doubts about how to get started. All of these things can be dispelled when you have a clearer idea about what writing a novel involves.
This book takes all the important considerations in writing a novel and presents them in a way which will stimulate the reader into taking the plunge. Use it as a guide to help you work out your characters, plot and audience. Make informed decisions about style and point of view. Learn some of the tricks of the trade which other writers use, and find out how to market your completed work.
Credits
Preface
Chapter 1 WHAT IS A NOVEL?
The Origins of Storytelling
Presentation of Novels Today
What Constitutes a Novel?
Genre of Novels
Audience and the Novel
Chapter 2 STRUCTURE AND STYLE
Narrative or Story Structure
Other Devices Used in Story Writing
Style in Writing
Basic Rules of Style
Chapter 3 DEVELOPING A POINT OF VIEW
Introduction
Chapter 4 DEVELOPING THE MAIN PLOT
The Plot
What is a Plot-Driven Novel?
Developing the Plot
Theme
Chapter 5 WRITING A SYNOPSIS
A Matter of Words
Writing a Synopsis
Chapter 6 DEVELOPING SUBPLOTS
Deciding on Subplots
Chapter 7 CHARACTERS: HOW TO DEVELOP CHARACTERS
The Importance of Characters
Chapter 8 DIALOGUE AND CHARACTERS
Dialect
Chapter 9 MAINTAINING THE READER’S INTEREST – DEVELOPING PACE
Use of Pace
Creating the Pace
Chapter 10 REVISING YOUR NOVEL – THE IMPORTANCE OF EDITING AND REVISION
How to Revise and Edit
Chapter 11 DEALING WITH WRITER’S BLOCK/MAINTAINING YOUR CREATIVITY
Writer’s Block
Not Writing a Novel - Tips to Get Started AND Finish that Novel
Chapter 12 MANUSCRIPT FORMAT AND LAYOUT
Preparation
Chapter 13 MARKETING YOUR NOVEL
Marketing Options
Marketing Your Book
Marketing Elements
Projecting for the Future
APPENDIX
Distance learning and online courses
E-books by John Mason and ACS Staff
Printed books by John Mason
Useful contacts
ACS global partners
Social media