Scarlett Van Dijk
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Blog
  • Sky Stone Series
    • Map of Branzia
  • Poetry
  • Other Writing
  • Contact Me
  • Other
    • Images
    • Links
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Blog
  • Sky Stone Series
    • Map of Branzia
  • Poetry
  • Other Writing
  • Contact Me
  • Other
    • Images
    • Links

Writing the First Draft

1/11/2013

2 Comments

 
Picture
So, you have an idea for a novel. You have an outline. It's time to start letting your novel grow. It can be a daunting process, beginning a novel. It's going to be over 50 000 words of awesomeness. At least… that is what you hope it will be.

The first line. How should you start your novel? There are so many dos and don’ts out there that it seems every line you come up with hits a snag. Should I start with a prologue? A monologue? A setting? Action? My advice: Pick something and roll with it. The writing process is a long journey but only you can make it arduous. Your first line, likely even your first page, may change completely once you look back over it after finishing your draft. Your first page may end up becoming a scene you wrote later in the book. Yes, the first page needs to be able to hook your reader but right now just concentrate on writing. Let the words flow.

It is the same scenario for every chapter. Write the words down on that paper or screen and worry about the details later. Your first chapter should be about allowing the story to grow. This is when the plot comes together, characters are born, settings are created. Your first draft is probably not going to be a masterpiece. You may even cringe when reading it back. Worry about those mental checklists later when you write draft 2, 3, 4, until you have a complete manuscript (then worry about it some more).

My advice is: just write and enjoy the journey. Allow your characters to pursue adventure, fall in love, fight, cry, laugh, save the world. Be dazzled by the brilliance that is your imagination. Editing is the next step. Editing polishes those words into something amazing. But… that comes later.

Scarlett Van Dijk

Image courtesy of anankkml / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
2 Comments
Beth Bowland link
1/11/2013 12:44:06 pm

Great Post! I'm going to share this! :)

Reply
Scarlett Van Dijk
2/11/2013 02:16:40 am

Thanks Beth. I'm glad you liked it :)

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    A Writer's Tale

    Scarlett Van Dijk

    Writer of young adult, fantasy series, the Sky Stone series, poetry and short stories.
    I hope to update this blog weekly with tips for writers and some personal stories. There will also be guest posts from fellow writers. Stay tuned!


    Categories

    All
    Guest Posts
    Guest Posts
    Guide To Fantasy Writing
    Life
    My Writing
    Writing Tips
    Writing Tips

    Archives

    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013

    Subscribe to my blog to receive email updates of my latest posts.

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    RSS Feed

© Scarlett Van Dijk 2016