Novel Writing - Made Easier

I always wanted to be a novelist. Even when I was a kid, I dreamed of writing books that would make readers think, laugh, and have a feel-good feeling by the time they reached the end. I never received a lot of encouragement. I think back then, we all held novelists up to be really smart people who had some special unequaled talent. Not so. I know a lot of novelists. I've never met one who was over-the-top smart. Unequaled talent? We all have different levels of talent. I believe it can be developed--to a certain extent.

There's an old saying that it's just as difficult to write a bad novel as it is a good one. Oh, how true! The thing is, a bad novel can usually be made better and better and better until it's a good novel. (All those betters symbolize rewrites. )

In my class, Lamar Novel Writing Month (for lack of a better title) we'll write together. We'll chat and outline, and work on our characterization and we'll plot and brainstorm. And we'll write. Every day during the month of October, we'll write. There won't be any homework assignments. We're on the honor system here. :) You can share your writing if you want, but you don't have to. Participation in class will help you have a completely outlined book and hopefully, a good portion written by the end of the month. You'll know where you're going from beginning to end. I'll be your encourager, your mentor, your accountability partner, your writing coach--whatever you need during the month of October.

Don't know where to start? Here's a tip for you: take your favorite book, preferably a recent commercial novel, and read the first chapter with pen in hand. Make notes while you read. List the characters. What do you learn about them from that first chapter? Do you get a hint at the conflict? How many characters are introduced in that first chapter? Pay attention to the description used. What's the setting? Highlight every use of the senses. Got another favorite novel? Do the same thing. Look at that first chapter only. Now compare those two first chapters. What have you learned?

I hope to see you in October for Lamar Novel Writing Month.
Jess