Writing My Second Novel - Writers Forum

Delvok · 11-13-2007, 06:44 PM

In short, I want advice on how to get the most out of plannification (plot, characters, theme, etc etc) before I start work on my second novel. I need as many guidelines, pointers, advice, as possible.

I've written a first novel but it was done without planning and it was a mess. It is unreadable and the way I've written it makes it very hard to edit and put myself into. I wrote it by just sitting down, over a period of a few weeks, and writing. This was done without characters established, plot structure, theme, or even idea. I thought I could pull a story together merely by writing it out and then re-write it and make sure all the essentials were there, or added in.

I want to try my second novel differently, by planning it out as much as possible. Thus, I want advice by anyone who can give me good ideas for planning out any aspect of my novel. I want to try to get AS MUCH PLANNING AS POSSIBLE so please be expanisve or long in your responses. I've tried writing one cold turkey but now I want to try one entirely planned out (and I think it'll be much better).

I already have a premise established: An old man gets sent to trial being accused of being a high-ranking member of Hitlers Waffen-SS, and thus is to be tried for war crimes. The main character is going to be a journalist who is reseraching the trial and case, thus presenting an unbiased view, but who will become very close with the old man. The old man at first denies being a member of the Waffen-SS to himself and the world (his family etc don't know and he doesn't want to bear the shame) but eventually reveals it to the journalist (who he has taken a liking to because he reminds him of himself) that he was a member. The complicated thing is that although he joined and was willing to serve the fatherland he realizes, before killing anyone, that what is going on is wrong. For the rest of his period in the SS he tries to save people and let them escape from the ruthless SS murders which are conducted, with tragic consequences.

First I need help with getting the most out of plannification. Also, feel free to comment on my story idea if you have anything constructive to say.

Joe Moore · 11-13-2007, 07:48 PM

Check the following links. They might help you get started on book #2:

Outlining
Getting organized
Line editing

ClancyBoy · 11-14-2007, 01:53 AM

Kurt Vonnegut planned Slaughterhouse Five with crayons on the back of a roll of wallpaper.

Not sure if that helps. Every time I try to plan my writing I never stick to the plan.

WriterDude · 11-14-2007, 03:50 AM

I'm currently working on a fantasy/sci-fi novel, but the general idea is somewhat the same.

* Create each character with a biography, short description, name, nickname (if any), likes and dislikes (usually people, but anything goes) and so on.
* Think of all possible locations the story will visit. The court, his home, the SS HQ, a small village in Germany, the current city and so on. Write details about all of these places. At this point you only want possible location, not actual locations. It doesn't matter if you scrap a location or two later on or change some.
* Are there other important parts of the story? Write a few details about all of it.
* Write a very short version of the story. Each chapter could be a paragraph or two. We only want the highlights, you can fill in the details later.
* Finally, read through your short version and compare it to the character's biographies, locations, important story bits and so on to make sure everyhing fits and doesn't contradict itself. If you said the old man hate heights, does it make sense for him to be a pilot during the war? Maybe, maybe not. Maybe, as he could have experienced a lot of bad things in air-combat and become mentally scarred for life (and perhaps that's why he joined the SS in he first place?), or maybe not if he had been afraid of height all his life. Things like this need to be sorted out before you write the finished story.

When you are satisfied with the short version, use it as a background to write the full version. Expand the highlights (and make sure you don't change these parts, only extend them) and fill in the "page fillers". These are less important parts of the story, but they should of course fit into the rest of the story. And of course, they should be interesting to read even if they don't contribute much to the plot.

JohnN · 11-14-2007, 05:27 AM

I like the storyline, I would....

1. Outline Story, which you have done (have you done the ending?)
2. Outline Main and Secondary characters (you have done main, secondary?)
3. Outline what happens in each chapter
4. After writing what happens in each chapter write down how this advances the story. As you say, you don't want mess in there.

Then start writing.

Delvok · 11-14-2007, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClancyBoy

Kurt Vonnegut planned Slaughterhouse Five with crayons on the back of a roll of wallpaper.

That's possibly, single-handedly, the most outrageous and interesting thing I've ever heard. I really like that novel, but the fact that he created it that way? Very peculiar.

Thank you Joe Moore, John N, and of course Writer Dude. You've got me thinking more about my story, and being interested in it, and provided me with a vehicle to base my planning (which can only strengthen my novel).

Again, thanks! You guys have been great help!

ClancyBoy · 11-15-2007, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delvok

That's possibly, single-handedly, the most outrageous and interesting thing I've ever heard. I really like that novel, but the fact that he created it that way? Very peculiar.

I know, especially since Vonnegut's novels never read like they have any planning behind them.

JohnN · 11-15-2007, 06:21 AM

No problem i like giving my two cents

WriterDude · 11-15-2007, 08:39 AM

No problem, Delvok. That's why we're here.

HarryG · 11-15-2007, 02:54 PM

I don’t know what you’re writing ‘qualifications’ are, but you’re taking on a subject that needs qualifications because you couldn’t handle it just like an ordinary novel. You will need a mountain of research for the actual content and the ability to put it all into historical context.

Joe Moore has posted some links that should help, but you’re particular points are not easily answered. However, difficult as the project may sound, it has been a well-trodden path over many years now. The Nobel prize winner for literature, Guenter Grass, has written about it, and could well be the subject of your story, your proposal sounds like his autobiography in some ways.

I can’t answer your specific points, not here, the reply would be book-length, even if I could answer it properly, which I doubt, but the idea of your project is sound, the biggest war in history, now that actual participants are almost extinct, has aroused a great deal of public interest, rightly so, and the current generation are eager to read about their father’s war.

Good Luck.