My New Novel

I try and make my chapters about eight-ten pages long, and then let them pile up until the story ends. When it does, i go and edit it, which frequently leads to bits being cut out and recycled and chapters melding together to keep the length up. As for working on the whole thing, i personally write out the scenes i have pre-planned and later thread them in with the rest of the story. it often leads to a bit of re-working, but can make writing the novel go a bit faster.

Well, a novel should start from around 70,000 words. Although there's no hard and fast rule. McEwan's On Chesil Beach was a lot shorter than that. When writing a novel (some tips of how I do it but again there's no right way). 1. Start at the beginning and work till you get to the end. 2. Aim to write every day - even if you don't achieve this. 3. Write even when you don't feel like it. It is hard and excuses will soon stretch into weeks. 4. Don't edit until you get to the end. Otherwise you start to worry too much if it's any good and get slowed down. 5. Edit when you get to the end. This takes me longer than writing the novel. Things to think about when editing - 1. Is this scene necessary? 2. Is this character distinct? For example I wasn't happy with a character so I made him a 'master of disguise'. When he arrives in the first scene now he is wearing an enormous wig and huge glasses. 3. Does the plot actually have any interest? 4. On the first edit I fill out the story. 5. Every other edit I cut back. I set myself the task of deleting 40 words a day. Which sounds odd - but then I am continually thinking what can go. 6. Keep the novel in your head as much as possible when doing other things. This will help when going back to it. Drew http://drewgum.wordpress.com Pre-order my novel here - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Me-Mickie-James-Drew-Gummerson/dp/0224082442/ref...

I think you need to do this now. But don't be disappointed if it doesn't turn out to be the best novel ever. My first book was terrible - the second was a lot better. But I've found that I've improved immensely from reading on here and writing in very small chunks. I firmly believe that my third novel will be wonderful! You have so much time and so much talent - just don't expect the world to move every time you put pen to paper.