The Handy Little Book for Writers Series

This is the first book in a series called The Handy Little Book for Writers Series. The idea of this first Little Book is to get you started on your novel or any book you may have been wanting to write for that matter. Although this book and the series are slanted towards writing a novel, the methods used and the assistance given in the series can be used equally well for any form of book you may wish to write. Many have ideas and dreams but never progress beyond that – mostly because actually starting is for many, the hardest part. Some of us who have always wanted to write a novel have the impression that once you have an idea you can just write “Chapter 1” on the top of the page and then away you go. Unfortunately for most writers, that’s not the way it works. Even the most successful and experienced novelists can’t do that. The great majority start with the OUTLINE. An outline is a summary of what your story will be about. If you don’t know where you are going, you will never get there. This Little Book aims to be as simple and straightforward as possible – to guide you through the steps in the quickest and simplest way. You are not given superfluous detail at this point, so as not to get you bogged down with reading instead of writing. Other books in the series will provide more detailed help and advice on specific topics related to writing a book.

This is Book 2 in this series, because of the importance of your motivation, your commitment and your planning to the outcome of your attempt to write. As was said in Book 1 of the series, thinking about what you want to do and planning how you will do it is vital to your success. Even the most successful of authors cannot simply sit down and write ‘Chapter 1’ and go on to write a book successfully. A plan and an outline of your book as well as a summary of the proposed chapters before you start the first draft will most certainly help you. There are many other things that will help to get you to completion that were not mentioned in the first book. Book 1 was simply the structure guide to get you started on your book. However, motivation, commitment, and planning as you continue are also greatly important. This book hopes to give you guides to each of those aspects. Just as writers write in different ways (and you must endeavour to find your own best way), so different things will spark interest in different readers of this book. Most of the inspirational information contained here comes from sources I have found when researching for the class I teach called “Let’s Write a Book”. These thoughts have helped the class members and I am happy to now be able to pass them on to other prospective book writers. I hope that everyone will find sparks of interest within these pages that will encourage motivation to not only begin to write, but to continue. If you are well motivated and have the required self-belief, I am sure you will become well aware of the need for making a personal commitment to your dream, as well as the obvious need to plan your time to work on it.

Many writers starting out on their first book are put off by the idea of writing an outline first. Indeed they object to anything at all that isn’t actually writing the book. Most understand that they will be writing a draft at first and that this draft will then be polished into something suitable for publication. So, they say, I have my story idea, why can’t I just start on the first draft? Why can’t I just write “Chapter 1” at the top of the page and just start? Well, you can try it if you like, but it will lead to a long hard road and that road will probably be one that will never end. The great majority who try this become so frustrated and so bogged down that they never make it to publication. Most, actually, don’t write anything - except “Chapter 1”. Writing an outline is not the nasty chore that some assume it to be. Your Outline is the most helpful tool you will have. Writers write in different ways, but that aside, the great majority need some sort of outline as their guide. Even those who know a great deal of detail of what they want to be in their book from the beginning to the end, still find outlining their ideas an invaluable tool. If an outline is done well, once you start your first draft you will be so grateful. Your outline can be used to keep you moving forward - momentum is important when you are writing. An Outline is like a map. If you haven’t got a map you are most likely to become lost. You will never get there if you don’t know where you’re going.

This 5th Little Book in the Handy Little Book for Writers Series answers questions on size and content of chapters and tells how to decide what they will be. Chapters are a way of holding your reader. Your chapters must follow a logical order, even if your story moves around. The end of a chapter is a pause; it finishes something but if you do it well, there is a hook, which hints at what is to come or tantalises in some way so the reader wants more. The beginning of the next chapter needs to be like a mini beginning, it needs to take hold of your readers and lead them on to more of your story. This is particularly important if your story takes a different turn in this chapter. Chapters are also useful to you as the writer. For very many reasons, not the least of which is urging you on to keep writing. Chapters can be writing goals – one a week for instance, or if you’re really on a roll, maybe even one a day - think of that, your book would be finished in no time. Chapters and their summaries are a wonderful aid. They are like a map. When you start your draft, they guide you step by step.

This is another in the Handy Little Book for Writers Series and so it is brief and to the point. These books are small on purpose so that they won’t take too much time away from your writing. This one is all about creating characters and getting to know them well - it is not about any other aspect of writing. For that reason I hope prospective writers will take the small amount of time needed to read this book and that your plot and your characters will benefit. Characters make your story. It is therefore important for a writer to create realistic characters so that the reader finds them believable - whether they are loved or hated. Your story is carried along by your characters so it is important that you get to know them. If you don’t know them, neither will your readers. This Little Book hopes to help you to create characters who will be believable and who will come to life in your plot. Take your time to think about the suggestions here

This book is meant as reference for new writers. Whatever we are attempting to write, we owe it to ourselves to at least know what is meant by structure, and what the various theories are on how a story, book, novel, or whatever we are attempting to write, should be structured. The fact that so much is written on the subject seems to indicate that there is a need for some kind of plan to ensure that your work follows a logical plan. It seems to be general wisdom that writers need a structure that will ensure that they tell their story or get their message across in the best possible way for their subject matter and for their readers. What is Structure? For me, the simple answer is that structure is about the way you set about telling your story so that the reader will gain the most understanding or satisfaction from it. Nevertheless, new writers may be overwhelmed by the thought of having to go to such lengths before even beginning to write. Please don’t be daunted. Don’t be put off by this. The reality is that all you need is an awareness that you must write your work, whatever it is, in a logical progression and in a way that will make it a good experience for the reader.

This Little Book is a collection of suggestions and guidance to help a new writer through the process of writing the first draft. Starting the first draft of a novel or any kind of book can be daunting, particularly if you are not appropriately prepared. This Little Book is a guide to the tools you will need to use and the preparation required before you make that start. Once you are aware of what is needed and when you have adequately prepared yourself, you will know you are ready to make a start. In fact, you will almost certainly be eager to start and watch your book unfold This book will tell you how to use your outline and your chapter outlines to the best advantage. Your chapter outlines are your most important tool. They will be your friend, your guide, and your map to your story. Use your map and you will not get lost. It will also discuss the value of unleashing your creativity by ‘writing fast’ and not editing as you go. Writing and editing use different parts of the brain; you should not try to do both things at once. Write now, edit later. You will also be reminded of the need for continued planning and commitment. You need to maintain your motivation, and you must commit yourself to a time to write. This Little Book assumes that you have done all the preparation and you are now ready to start the first draft of your novel or book. If by chance you have not done the preparation steps, then I suggest you should look at Book 1 in The Little Book for Writers Series. It will show you how to prepare in six easy steps.

This Little Book is a collection of suggestions, tips, and guidance for editing your first draft. Editing and Proofreading are time-consuming tasks and they can be daunting for new writers. However, it is suggested here that you don’t pass the task off to someone else - at least not at first. Editing and proofreading your own first draft will do two things. It will ensure that your work remains your own without the chance of any outside interference. It is easy for new writers who are unsure of their skills, to be intimidated and persuaded to make changes that alter the intent of their work. So doing it yourself at least at first draft stage will firm the story, the characters, and the intent in your mind. It will also teach you a great deal. If your first draft is extremely rough you will have a lot of work to do. Learning how to do it the right way as you edit will help you to be a better writer when you next write a first draft. There are some plans of action and a lot of worthwhile tips in this Little Book. I hope they help you

This Little Book aims simply to be a guide to new writers on the subject of publishing. It takes the form of a discussion of the different forms of publishing available in today’s changing market. Each different form is discussed and the difference in the requirements of each is addressed. Many new writers, particularly writers of novels, will seek the recognition of a publisher’s acceptance of the quality or saleability of their work. They will need to know how to approach a publisher who will pay them, and this advice is given here. Others will for whatever reason, be prepared to pay to self-publish their work. While yet others, will seek to use free publishing services. Appropriate advice is given for each of these options. While it doesn’t aim to be an exhaustive list of publishers, there are valuable lists of publishers in the various categories. There is also invaluable information about the use of agents and editors and how to find them.