Planning, Planning, Planning Please! - Writers Forum

scifi maniac · 11-15-2005, 05:57 AM

I've got an idea, and i've only been having it rampage through my head for a little while, about a week or so. I want to get it down before it slips away, and I don't know where to start. I've got the basic plot, like the start and a rough ending. So, how do I flesh it out to make a novel? I know this idea is large enough to make a novel, I just don't know where to start planning. How do I plan, what strategies should I use and how much planning is too much?

mammamaia · 11-15-2005, 08:49 AM

if you don't know the first thing about how to write a novel, i don't know how you can expect to be able to do so... but, basically, you first need to set down all those ideas you have on paper...

then, figure out who/what your main characters are, what their goals are, and how they're going to go about achieving them...

what/who stands in their way?...

what will happen if they fail?...

where does it all take place?...

do you need to do any research before jumping into the writing?... such as about the setting, time frame, technology, etc....

that's all i can think of, off the top of my head... if you've read enough good novels by the best writers and done enough other good fiction writing of your own, you should be able to take it from there... if you haven't done one or both, you'll need to, if you want to be able to write a marketable piece of work...

hope this helps a bit... love and hugs, maia

amusinglackoftalent · 11-15-2005, 09:05 AM

SciFi, just go buy a book on how to write a novel. As a matter of fact, I think the one I use is called, How to Write a Novel...Catchy, isn't it? If organization and planning are all you need, and I know it sounds as if I'm 'over-simplifying', then one of these books will probably do the trick. If you have the drive and the writing ability a book like this can serve as a nice road map.

JustJim · 11-15-2005, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amusinglackoftalent

SciFi, just go buy a book on how to write a novel. As a matter of fact, I think the one I use is called, How to Write a Novel...Catchy, isn't it? If organization and planning are all you need, and I know it sounds as if I'm 'over-simplifying', then one of these books will probably do the trick. If you have the drive and the writing ability a book like this can serve as a nice road map.

One problem with 'How to Books' on writing is that often they try to shoehorn the beginner into a certain method of writing, and such methods might just not suit that particular person. I have an excellent book on novel writing, it has excellent advice, but I've never been able to follow it completely because it tries to put the writer into a verbal straightjacket as to method.

The above is not to say that books on writing should not be consulted. What I'm trying to stress is not to feel frustrated if one book on writing fails to get you producing a masterpiece. In any case, it often takes years to become a successful novelist. I recently read a preface to a novel by Thomas Hardy, he mentions twenty to thirty years. But I think that's a bit over the top and reflects his opinion of his own work. The fact remains, however, that authorship of fiction is often a grueling task. Don't let that discourage you, because writing is also one of the most satisfying occupations even if you never get published.

Luck

amusinglackoftalent · 11-15-2005, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustJim

One problem with 'How to Books' on writing is that often they try to shoehorn the beginner into a certain method of writing, and such methods might just not suit that particular person. I have an excellent book on novel writing, it has excellent advice, but I've never been able to follow it completely because it tries to put the writer into a verbal straightjacket as to method.

Scifi, JustJim is absolutely right. I may have gotten 'lazy' with brevity. What I meant to convey if I did not is that a 'how to' book can help you with the mechanics of construction, with organization of your thoughts. (With some of the things Maia mentioned as well.) I derived my interpretation, thus my answer, from your use of the word 'planning'. The 'process of creation' must be your own. Your words must be your own and your 'style' must evolve as nearly everyone's evolves, through attention to your craft and peserverance.

Oracle · 11-16-2005, 10:36 AM

Start by making a quick list of the characters you've thought out so far. Give them a little description so you'll remember who they are. Then, make some point-form notes on the chronological order of the plot. If there are parts you haven't figured out yet, just put "gotta think about" or something like that. Once you've got your rough ideas down, you can write notes on some of the concepts (this applies mostly to sci-fi) you'd like to apply to your story (eg. magic system, scientific stuff, way a certain society works, etc)

Then the next step is to figure out where you want to begin, and get writing. It took me 8 or so tries to find the right beginning, and even now I'm about to rewrite it. For some stories, it can be a pain in the butt. For others, the beginning is obvious.

As you come up with new ideas, jot them down. Also, if it's a large project (like a big novel series or something), date ALL of your notes. Sometimes old notes will become outdated when things are changed, so you have to know when you came up with certain ideas.

suzakugaiden · 11-16-2005, 04:57 PM

You technically don't even need much planning, as my NaNo's shown me.

Honestly, I'd avoid how to books. They never really tell you anything useful. Mostly, they regurgitate stuff that you already know or at the least should.

ravravrav · 11-17-2005, 02:40 PM

My site has a set of free tools to help you plan your writing at http://www.filmfiler.com/products.html

scifi maniac · 11-18-2005, 07:13 PM

I've found a new strategy I'm going to try and use. It's called the 'Snowflake Method' and was written by a professional writer to help him write. I don't know if it will work for me, but I'm going to give it a try. If anyone else is interested, go to http://www.rsingermanson.com/html/the_snowflake.html

CabinFever · 11-19-2005, 07:34 AM

I've had a lot of fun over the last month or so trying the demos for various 'writing software' which may help you too. Some are developed to hold your hand and lead you step-by-step through the story creation process (very basic - like a teaching process) while others are developed to provide a method of organizing the structure of a story (very free-form - but you need to know the writing basics and terminology).

I've settled on one program that is free-form and helps me get the whole story planned out. The price is high (especially this close to Christmas!) but for me it's worth it. It meshes well with the way my mind works and I've been able to go from the idea-stuck-in-my-head, to the planning, and finally to the actual writing.

I don't know if I'm allowed to mention product names here so I won't just in case. Google "Writing Software" and try out the various demos you find. You'll learn a lot in the process and perhaps come across something that will help you flush out your idea.