Novel Writing Process 1

7/27/2019 Novel Writing Process 1

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Novel Writing Process


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3/24

Decide StoryPre-plot ideas

Research background
http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/b280026a-56a0-4fe1-bcb9-ddea07b889c7/b280026a-56a0-4fe1-bcb9-ddea07b889c7/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/b280026a-56a0-4fe1-bcb9-ddea07b889c7/b280026a-56a0-4fe1-bcb9-ddea07b889c7/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/914f6a05-38b8-4f44-81f4-76156305cade/914f6a05-38b8-4f44-81f4-76156305cade/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/914f6a05-38b8-4f44-81f4-76156305cade/914f6a05-38b8-4f44-81f4-76156305cade/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/914f6a05-38b8-4f44-81f4-76156305cade/914f6a05-38b8-4f44-81f4-76156305cade/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/b280026a-56a0-4fe1-bcb9-ddea07b889c7/b280026a-56a0-4fe1-bcb9-ddea07b889c7/


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5/24

Get The BasicsCharacters

Plot

Setting
http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/abedc90a-5d2c-4d5e-b243-a1e88be6328f/abedc90a-5d2c-4d5e-b243-a1e88be6328f/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/abedc90a-5d2c-4d5e-b243-a1e88be6328f/abedc90a-5d2c-4d5e-b243-a1e88be6328f/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/4c586f11-ab1f-4bc0-8692-d657d471d176/4c586f11-ab1f-4bc0-8692-d657d471d176/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/4c586f11-ab1f-4bc0-8692-d657d471d176/4c586f11-ab1f-4bc0-8692-d657d471d176/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/36f8c524-b000-4f7d-b975-431f690d739c/36f8c524-b000-4f7d-b975-431f690d739c/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/36f8c524-b000-4f7d-b975-431f690d739c/36f8c524-b000-4f7d-b975-431f690d739c/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/36f8c524-b000-4f7d-b975-431f690d739c/36f8c524-b000-4f7d-b975-431f690d739c/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/4c586f11-ab1f-4bc0-8692-d657d471d176/4c586f11-ab1f-4bc0-8692-d657d471d176/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/abedc90a-5d2c-4d5e-b243-a1e88be6328f/abedc90a-5d2c-4d5e-b243-a1e88be6328f/


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Character Sketch

Character Type:

Connection to Lead:

Story Goal:

Race :

Gender:

Age:

Appearance:

Height:

Body Type:

Hair Color:

Eye Color:

Habits/Mannerisms:

Distinctive Speech Pattern:

Personality:

Background:

Personal Life:

Private Life:

Work/School Life:

Strengths:

Weaknesses:


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Internal Conflicts:

External Conflicts:

Character Name

Belong To:

Notes:

Plot Sketch

1. The End

2. The Beginning

3. Major Twists

(Don't worry about the linkage or order yet)

Is it a stand alone novel our series?

Setting Sketch

Location(s)

Name of setting

Characters living in region time period

Year or Time period

Season

City & County


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Basic Political

Culture

Level of technology

Who have power in this world

Relation to rest of world

Current state (& how it got there)

Magical system (if its one)

Miscellaneous notes

Any notes or details that would make the general setting clearer in your mind

and the readers.

o

Ex. Setting undergoing a heatwave, a drought, myths, what it is

known for, locals hanging spot, tourist hanging spot, etc.

Also how the location & time affects the characters

Character(s)

Character names

Character's home surroundings

Character's workplace surroundings

Character's school surrounding (if one)

Miscellaneous notes

Feelings of their whole surroundings


9/24

Set A Firm FoundationTimeline

Fill in plot
http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/a4d528a1-11a1-4dfd-9de3-02121a974823/a4d528a1-11a1-4dfd-9de3-02121a974823/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/a4d528a1-11a1-4dfd-9de3-02121a974823/a4d528a1-11a1-4dfd-9de3-02121a974823/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/b97cbdc0-85ec-4a12-b01f-acb0b52a6ad0/b97cbdc0-85ec-4a12-b01f-acb0b52a6ad0/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/b97cbdc0-85ec-4a12-b01f-acb0b52a6ad0/b97cbdc0-85ec-4a12-b01f-acb0b52a6ad0/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/b97cbdc0-85ec-4a12-b01f-acb0b52a6ad0/b97cbdc0-85ec-4a12-b01f-acb0b52a6ad0/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/a4d528a1-11a1-4dfd-9de3-02121a974823/a4d528a1-11a1-4dfd-9de3-02121a974823/


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11/24

7. Pinch 2 (where you add more pressure until the situation seems hopeless foryour characters, hopeless point)

8. Try/Fail Cyle (where the protagonist try and fails to make the win at the end ahard win, have at least 2)

9. Ice Monster Prologue (like a prologue, but don't have to be, story builder)

simple arc: growth

complex arc: shift

Action/Plot Character/Arc Romance/Friendship Betrayal/Trust

Hook

Plot Turn 1

Pinch 1

Midpoint

Pinch 2

Plot Turn 2

Resolution

Try/Fail Cycles

e.x

Plot

Action/Plot Character Arc Romance/Friendship Betrayal/Trust

Neo is a shlumpy

underachiever

Neo is a shlumpy

underachiever

Neo is alone Cypher is their friend

Neo learns aboutthe Matrix

Morpheus tells Neohe's the One

Neo meets Trinity Cypher makes a dealwith the agents

Agents kidnap

Neo

Neo is the wimpy

new guy; can't do

anything

Trinity isn't interested in Neo Cypher discovers an

unauthorized trip into

the Matrix

Neo escapes the

Matrix

Neo meets the Oracle Neo falls in love with Trinity Cypher tells the Agents

where they are

Morpheus is

captured

Oracle tells Neo he's

not the One

Trinity won't open up, Neo

thinks she loves someoneelse

Neo spots the trap, they

try to escape


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Neo becomes the

One

Neo realizes the

power is in him

Neo risks his life to save

Trinity and Morpheus

Cypher attacks in the

real world

Neo defeats theAgents

Neo becomes the One Trinity falls in love with Neo Cypher betraysMorpheus and kills the

crew

Try/Fail Cycles

Neo Realize the power is in him

neo becomes the one neo becomes the one trinity falls in love with neo

neo defeats the agents

Fill In Plot

Action CharacterRomance Betrayal

Ice Monster!Neo is ashlumpyunderachiever

Neo is a shlumpyunderachiever

Neo is alone

Neo learnsabout theMatrix

Neo meets Trinity

Agents kidnapNeo

Neo escapesthe Matrix

Morpheus tells Neohes the One

Cypher is theirfriend

Neo is the wimpynew guy; cant doanything

Trinity isntinterested in Neo

Neo falls in lovewith Trinity

Cypher makes a

deal with theagents

Crew discoversan unauthorizedtrip into theMatrix


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Neo meets theOracle

Cypher tells theAgents wherethey are

Oracle tells Neo

hes not the One

Trinity wont openup, Neo thinks sheloves someoneelse

Neo spots thetrap, they try toescape

Cypher attacksin the real world

Morpheus iscaptured

Cypher betraysMorpheus andkills the crew

Neo risks his life tosave Trinity andMorpheus

Try/Fail Cycles!Neo realizes thepower is in him

Neo becomesthe One

Neo becomes theOne

Trinity falls in lovewith Neo

Neo defeatsthe Agents

The End The End The End The End


14/24

Put Up The StructureCheckresearch list

Scene List
http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/914f6a05-38b8-4f44-81f4-76156305cade/914f6a05-38b8-4f44-81f4-76156305cade/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/914f6a05-38b8-4f44-81f4-76156305cade/914f6a05-38b8-4f44-81f4-76156305cade/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/914f6a05-38b8-4f44-81f4-76156305cade/914f6a05-38b8-4f44-81f4-76156305cade/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/9971f154-e93d-4257-969c-adea916e09cc/9971f154-e93d-4257-969c-adea916e09cc/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/9971f154-e93d-4257-969c-adea916e09cc/9971f154-e93d-4257-969c-adea916e09cc/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/9971f154-e93d-4257-969c-adea916e09cc/9971f154-e93d-4257-969c-adea916e09cc/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/914f6a05-38b8-4f44-81f4-76156305cade/914f6a05-38b8-4f44-81f4-76156305cade/


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Research List

From decide a story to full in the structure create a list of things to investigate and add

the link under it.

PreScene List

Fill in

Scene List Sketch

Take plot & break it into scenes & chapters (roughly 3 scenes per chapter)

What happen in book (broken by chapters)

DON'T MOVE TO THE NEXT STEP UNTIL, you feel the book is clear (the book's

voice)

MAKE SURE you CONSULT with yourTIMELINE

Ch # Sc # Time Location POV Characters Present Summary
http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/9971f154-e93d-4257-969c-adea916e09cc/9971f154-e93d-4257-969c-adea916e09cc/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/9971f154-e93d-4257-969c-adea916e09cc/9971f154-e93d-4257-969c-adea916e09cc/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/9971f154-e93d-4257-969c-adea916e09cc/9971f154-e93d-4257-969c-adea916e09cc/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/a4d528a1-11a1-4dfd-9de3-02121a974823/a4d528a1-11a1-4dfd-9de3-02121a974823/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/a4d528a1-11a1-4dfd-9de3-02121a974823/a4d528a1-11a1-4dfd-9de3-02121a974823/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/a4d528a1-11a1-4dfd-9de3-02121a974823/a4d528a1-11a1-4dfd-9de3-02121a974823/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/a4d528a1-11a1-4dfd-9de3-02121a974823/a4d528a1-11a1-4dfd-9de3-02121a974823/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/9971f154-e93d-4257-969c-adea916e09cc/9971f154-e93d-4257-969c-adea916e09cc/


16/24

PreviewResearchwhat needs to be research

Preview(update plot if needed)
http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/914f6a05-38b8-4f44-81f4-76156305cade/914f6a05-38b8-4f44-81f4-76156305cade/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/914f6a05-38b8-4f44-81f4-76156305cade/914f6a05-38b8-4f44-81f4-76156305cade/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/f85ae62b-bed2-40a8-96e2-11b693f41149/f85ae62b-bed2-40a8-96e2-11b693f41149/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/f85ae62b-bed2-40a8-96e2-11b693f41149/f85ae62b-bed2-40a8-96e2-11b693f41149/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/f85ae62b-bed2-40a8-96e2-11b693f41149/f85ae62b-bed2-40a8-96e2-11b693f41149/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/914f6a05-38b8-4f44-81f4-76156305cade/914f6a05-38b8-4f44-81f4-76156305cade/


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Research List

From decide a story to full in the structure create a list of things to investigate and add

the link under it.

Preview

Full in

Preview Your Info

Review yourScene Listto make sure that it aligns with theBasicsand you're reading

to write your story.

Check for things like:

Character-Plot Congruencies

Character-Setting Congruencies Character-Timeline Congruencies

Plot-Setting Congruencies

Timeline-Scene Congruencies
http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/f85ae62b-bed2-40a8-96e2-11b693f41149/f85ae62b-bed2-40a8-96e2-11b693f41149/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/f85ae62b-bed2-40a8-96e2-11b693f41149/f85ae62b-bed2-40a8-96e2-11b693f41149/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/9971f154-e93d-4257-969c-adea916e09cc/9971f154-e93d-4257-969c-adea916e09cc/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/9971f154-e93d-4257-969c-adea916e09cc/9971f154-e93d-4257-969c-adea916e09cc/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/9971f154-e93d-4257-969c-adea916e09cc/9971f154-e93d-4257-969c-adea916e09cc/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/71e92ab0-467c-42fd-9ea5-efc236fa61ae/71e92ab0-467c-42fd-9ea5-efc236fa61ae/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/71e92ab0-467c-42fd-9ea5-efc236fa61ae/71e92ab0-467c-42fd-9ea5-efc236fa61ae/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/71e92ab0-467c-42fd-9ea5-efc236fa61ae/71e92ab0-467c-42fd-9ea5-efc236fa61ae/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/71e92ab0-467c-42fd-9ea5-efc236fa61ae/71e92ab0-467c-42fd-9ea5-efc236fa61ae/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/9971f154-e93d-4257-969c-adea916e09cc/9971f154-e93d-4257-969c-adea916e09cc/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/f85ae62b-bed2-40a8-96e2-11b693f41149/f85ae62b-bed2-40a8-96e2-11b693f41149/


18/24

Write The Book

Write the book chapter in sessions.

Every time you begin a chapter write a "5 minute description".

Also use the "writing progress chart" for each session to record growth.

When done with book, start the edit process.
http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/c8950d2a-b2b8-4908-a768-48a3b71297de/c8950d2a-b2b8-4908-a768-48a3b71297de/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/3fe2cb4a-1712-4fb5-a8a3-6ba11c1d01d4/3fe2cb4a-1712-4fb5-a8a3-6ba11c1d01d4/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/3fe2cb4a-1712-4fb5-a8a3-6ba11c1d01d4/3fe2cb4a-1712-4fb5-a8a3-6ba11c1d01d4/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/c8950d2a-b2b8-4908-a768-48a3b71297de/c8950d2a-b2b8-4908-a768-48a3b71297de/


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Five Minute Description

MAKE SURE THIS DESCRIPTION EXCITES YOU

Ex.

James kiss Courtney

Courtney rejects & hugs him

James drops while she is in his arm to not get hit

Or

James kiss Courtney

Courtney rejects it & hug him

Someone affects them & James drops with Courtney in his arms

Writing Progress Chart

Date Time Written Word Count Word Per Hour Location Devices Used

7-10-2013 1am - 4am (3) 2000 666.66 bedroom personal laptop

7-10-2013 5pm - 6pm (1) 1000 (3000) 1000 living room home desktop

ex. end of the day

Plot started: 7-10-2013

Plot finished: 0-0-2013

Novel started: 0-0-2013

Novel finished: 0-0-2013


20/24

Edit Your DraftUse your tool

Scene List

Timeline Sketch

To Do List

and then follow theAction Steps
http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/9971f154-e93d-4257-969c-adea916e09cc/9971f154-e93d-4257-969c-adea916e09cc/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/9971f154-e93d-4257-969c-adea916e09cc/9971f154-e93d-4257-969c-adea916e09cc/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/a4d528a1-11a1-4dfd-9de3-02121a974823/a4d528a1-11a1-4dfd-9de3-02121a974823/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/a4d528a1-11a1-4dfd-9de3-02121a974823/a4d528a1-11a1-4dfd-9de3-02121a974823/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/2bd1f288-70db-44ce-a364-c9615f4e2a53/2bd1f288-70db-44ce-a364-c9615f4e2a53/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/2bd1f288-70db-44ce-a364-c9615f4e2a53/2bd1f288-70db-44ce-a364-c9615f4e2a53/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/aa6d11ac-c6b6-4b2f-9c73-8052b9e5609c/aa6d11ac-c6b6-4b2f-9c73-8052b9e5609c/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/aa6d11ac-c6b6-4b2f-9c73-8052b9e5609c/aa6d11ac-c6b6-4b2f-9c73-8052b9e5609c/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/aa6d11ac-c6b6-4b2f-9c73-8052b9e5609c/aa6d11ac-c6b6-4b2f-9c73-8052b9e5609c/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/aa6d11ac-c6b6-4b2f-9c73-8052b9e5609c/aa6d11ac-c6b6-4b2f-9c73-8052b9e5609c/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/2bd1f288-70db-44ce-a364-c9615f4e2a53/2bd1f288-70db-44ce-a364-c9615f4e2a53/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/a4d528a1-11a1-4dfd-9de3-02121a974823/a4d528a1-11a1-4dfd-9de3-02121a974823/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/9971f154-e93d-4257-969c-adea916e09cc/9971f154-e93d-4257-969c-adea916e09cc/


21/24

Scene List Sketch

Take plot & break it into scenes & chapters (roughly 3 scenes per chapter)

What happen in book (broken by chapters)

DON'T MOVE TO THE NEXT STEP UNTIL, you feel the book is clear (the book's

voice)

MAKE SURE you CONSULT with yourTIMELINE

e.x

Plot

Action CharacterRomance BetrayalIce Monster!

Neo is ashlumpyunderachiever

Neo is a shlumpyunderachiever

Neo is alone

Neo learnsabout the

Matrix

Neo meets Trinity

Agents kidnapNeo

Neo escapesthe Matrix

Morpheus tells Neohes the One

Cypher is theirfriend

Neo is the wimpynew guy; cant doanything

Trinity isntinterested in Neo

Neo falls in lovewith Trinity

Cypher makes adeal with theagents

Crew discovers
http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/a4d528a1-11a1-4dfd-9de3-02121a974823/a4d528a1-11a1-4dfd-9de3-02121a974823/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/a4d528a1-11a1-4dfd-9de3-02121a974823/a4d528a1-11a1-4dfd-9de3-02121a974823/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/a4d528a1-11a1-4dfd-9de3-02121a974823/a4d528a1-11a1-4dfd-9de3-02121a974823/http://evernote//view/19985392/s168/a4d528a1-11a1-4dfd-9de3-02121a974823/a4d528a1-11a1-4dfd-9de3-02121a974823/


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an unauthorizedtrip into theMatrix

Neo meets the

Oracle

Cypher tells the

Agents wherethey are

Oracle tells Neohes not the One

Trinity wont openup, Neo thinks sheloves someoneelse

Neo spots thetrap, they try toescape

Cypher attacksin the real world

Morpheus iscaptured

Cypher betraysMorpheus andkills the crew

Neo risks his life tosave Trinity andMorpheus

Try/Fail Cycles!

Neo realizes thepower is in him

Neo becomesthe One

Neo becomes theOne

Trinity falls in lovewith Neo

Neo defeatsthe Agents

The End The End The End The End

Scene List

Ch # Sc # Time Location POV Characters Present Summary


23/24

Timeline Sketch

What happen when, who's together when it happens, where's everyone is when it

happens, when important events occurs (show who knows what)

In story, plus before & after

Also what the characters do at those times

To Do List

Every problem you find, put in the list, then mark then by LARGEST TO

SMALLEST (complication)

Editing Action Steps

The day after start

Make tool (usually take a day) To do list

o Handle the biggest problem 1St, then smallest (not 1St page to last)

o If you find new problems add them to the "to do list"

o Use your scene list as an anchor


24/24

Documents

Novel Writing Process 1