Well, it’s our 12th week of lockdown. How are you doing? I’m hoping that you and yours are keeping safe, that the strategies you’re using to stay sane and creative are working, and that you’re finding some signs of hope in a world that seems to be coming apart at the seams. I’m checking in with my social media feeds less often. It just hurts so much to read the news right now.
Last month, I got a creative boost, participating in a series of webinars hosted by Grace Lever at The Doer’s Way. It was the inspiration I needed. Right now, I’m working on developing a new course, Your Novel: From Idea to Draft. I really believe that doing your homework up front—learning about your characters, setting, conflicts, refining your story idea, and then creating an outline—is essential to first draft success.
Accepting the fact that characters will simply do unexpected things while you are writing your first draft, having an outline means that, when you finally have a few moments to write, you can get the writing done. No waiting for the muse to drop by, because … well … what if s/he doesn’t? That’s precious writing time lost.
The following is the outline I’m working on for my first draft of the course. If you see anything missing, please let me know. I’m also planning to include a personal review of each participant’s final outline and hope to offer several opportunities via Facebook for participants to ask questions live as they progress through the course.
Week 1: Introduction
Why you’re here
What you’ll learn.
Why this will work.
Turning your idea into an idea that will support a novel.
Examples.
Your turn.
Week 2: Characters
The foundation of your story.
Their strengths, weaknesses, goals and needs create opportunities for conflict.
What you need to know.
How to find out more.
Who is telling your story?
Point of view and who should tell your story.
Week 3: Setting
World Building – why this is essential even if your book is set in your home town.
Building your story world – where to find resources
Your senses
How to write description that doesn’t bore your reader.
Week 4: Conflict
5 sources of conflict—What are they? How can they work in your story?
Goals and obstacles—chapter by chapter, scene by scene
Beginning. Muddle. End
Week 5: Plots and Plans
Two classic plotting strategies
Genre specific patterns
Templates to fill in or adapt
Begin with “must”
When do you know you are finished?
Week 6: The End–The Beginning
You made it! Hurray!
Tips for finding the time and the willpower to get that first draft written
Book story outline consultation.
Let the drafting begin!
I’d love your input. If there are things you think should be covered that are missing, just let me know. I’m hoping for an end-of-June release, if not sooner.
In the meantime, here are some writing prompts to keep you busy, creative and distracted in a world that you create with your amazing imagination.
Use one, some, or all of the words in one of these groups to inspire a story or poem:
- Coffee, table, crowd, danger, corner, door
- Signal, red light, siren, warning, escape hatch
- Beach, serene, rumble, sky, wind, boat, gulls
- Forest, crack, whisper, branches, hoof beats, joy
- Office, empty night, sounds, secret, hide
Here are some opening sentences to try:
- “Put that knife away!”
- Henry always gets his own way.
- A loud noise woke us up, and we scrambled to peek out of the tent.
- Being Helen’s friend could be a challenge.
- The pool was so inviting.
- How do you solve a mystery when you’re six feet away from your suspects?
- Never meet the love of your life on April Fools Day.
- Normally, my usual coffee shop is a great place for me to work in peace—but not today.
- This was the best school trip ever until ….
- Yesterday, Helen ran away from home.
- Life is never like the movies, or should it be the opposite: Moves are never like real life.
- But, he followed me home!
Perhaps one of these titles will inspire a story: Snow in May, Where’s a Superhero When You Need One? Dinner for thirty, Summer on the Road, Adult Recreation Center, Reservations Required, Death in Clover, Call of the Mild, Singing Off Key, Love and Puppies.
Use one of the small dialogue excerpts below to inspire a scene or two.
What are you doing?
Texting Henry.
He’s not supposed to know we’re here.
Why are we running?
Be quiet. Just keep moving.
What’s that smell?
Dragon.
I have no idea, sir.
What are you telling me?
I’m saying that we can’t find any reason for the engines to fail.
We’re here.
But it’s really dark.
Of course, it’s dark. You don’t think a time machine should simply appear out of nowhere in broad daylight, do you?
I understand that you don’t like me.
You’re right. I don’t.
Then, you’re going to like this even less.
Dislike what?
I was just told that we have to work on this together.
No. I need to save my battery for later.
I’m not sure there will be a later.
I wish you all a safe and creative June!
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