Walkio

I've come across a few writers who say that they happily start novels, but they never seem to finish them. They have all the enthusiasm at the start, though they get bored somewhere about page 150, or they simply cannot think of how to end it. And so they start another, and end up with about five different beginnings, and none complete.

If this is you, then try this - it may just help.

My actual writing time on a novel is about two months - that is, I sit at the computer and write it from start to finish. That doesn't seem like a long time at all. However, I spend as much time (if not more), actually working on the plot before hand. In that way, I know exactly what happens when and where, and all I have to do is write it down. Sometimes I can write a chapter in a morning.

So, here's what I suggest you do. Take time to actually think up a novel outline. What genre is it? What's it about? Who are the main characters? How does it end?

Then write this very brief overview and sit back and look at it. Now, take a few weeks to expand it out. Where do the points of cause/conflict/change come in? Add the twists and turns and the sub-plots. You'll be able to see exactly how everything fits in because you know what's going to happen next.

Keep working until you have a detailed chapter by chapter blueprint of your novel. In each chapter overview, you should write what happens, who the main characters are and from whose viewpoint you're writing from (if 3rd person), and you can also note down specific jokes or quirky bits of dialogue you want to fit in there.

Be as creative as you can when you create this blueprint, and then sit down and write it out. If you do this, as opposed to just sitting at a computer and writing whatever comes into your head with little sense of direction, I think you'll be surprised. You'll finish your novel quickly, so won't get bored, and you shouldn't get writer's block because you know exactly what you're writing about.

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aspiring

If I did as detailed a plan as that, I'd never get it finished. I like to be excited about not knowing what's going to happen next. Of course I know where my plot's going, but I can't possibly plan it as tightly as you suggest.

Also, the finishing it part isn't about planning, for me, it's about sheer donkey-work - forcing yourself to write after the initial enthusiasm has gone.

I did once plan a novel as tightly as you suggest. It was hell - I found myself sticking so rigidly to the plan that I had very little creativity when writing the chapters. The book was 20,000 words too short for the genre.

I guess it can work for some people though - just not for me.

Walkio

Yeah, people have there own way they like to write. I was just offering 'another' way if anyone found that 'there way' was proving a problem.

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ButteredKazoo

I find that writing like that is boring, but on the other hand it is a good way to get things done quicker and to reduce writers block.

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Hakeem

You bring up a very strong and solid point Walkio.

This all is similar to NewNovelist. It is good for beginners..

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Mike C

Yet another outlining thread, at least the second this week. Does nobody bother reading anything before posting?

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Walkio

I haven't learnt to read yet.

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Banzai

This is pretty much what I've done with my latest project, and it's working brilliantly. I've found that since I've mapped out the plot already, I can put more creative energy into the details, so it has not only helped me to keep going with the story, but (I think) improved the quality of my writing.

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Fantasy of You

All hail Mike. The most positive guy around.

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Mike C

Or write - I think you meant 'their' not 'there'.

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Mike C

I was merely pointing out that a quick search would reveal probably 50 threads that already cover this subject. Including one at least this week.

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bob rulz

I could never plan a story like that. I already find myself getting too out of hand with developing my story (mainly backstory and important characters) without doing the detailed chapter-by-chapter synopses. Besides, if I finish my novel and I don't feel like certain parts are fleshed out enough or that certain plot points are missing, or whatever other things along those lines you can come up with are, that's what rewriting and editing is for.

wowzer77

Outlines are always good, but I'll always start one and then five minutes later I realize I'm writing it like its a novel..I don't know why really..it's like I start off writing it as a long detailed summary...and before I know it I'm describing the thoughts in the characters' heads and using dialogue. But anyways, I tend to write in spurts...I'll do two chapters, not write for three days, then another 3 chapters...ect.

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