Novel Preparation: Tips for Planning Your Novel

So you’ve gotten your idea for your novel. And you may have even decided on how you want to begin it and end it, but you are not sure about everything that should happen in between.  This requires plotting.

Every writer must find their own unique way of getting the job done, but one thing I strongly suggest is that you get a notebook.  I like notebooks because they are easy to carry with you and do not require charging or booting up.  When a thought comes to your mind, you can write it down quickly without having to point and click.  I have found that some of my best ideas come to me when I am away from my computer. 

However, if you prefer keeping notes electronically, do so.

Of course, notebooks are only helpful if they are well organized.  You can either use a notebook that is already divided into sections or you can get a different notebook for each category.  Large binders are probably the best because they allow for easier expansion.

Your notebook should contain at least three main sections: plot, characters, and outline.  

Before plotting however, ask yourself one important question: what is the theme of my story? The theme is the overall message you want your story to convey.  It is the impression you want to have stick with your readers long after they have finished reading.  You could also say it is the whole point of your story. 

Once you have decided on a theme, you need to decide on a situation or a number of situations that will move your story in the direction of your theme.  You must decide on the problem to be faced, what characters will face this problem, and in what setting will this problem be worked out. Now you can begin the daunting task of plotting.

In my next post, I will discuss the map you will need to create for your novel-writing journey.