Excerpt from WRITING A NOVEL
The Art of Storytelling

INTRODUCTION

Dear Aspiring Author,

Writing a novel or non-fiction book is hard work. But don’t let that stop you.

If you have a story to tell or knowledge of a topic that hasn’t been written about before (or even if it has and you can put a new spin on it) then the best way to begin is by getting those ideas down in a notebook or on computer. What you’ll discover in this book are the steps to get started and continue until you have your first draft completed. I’ve also added helpful links in the appendix that you can use on your journey.

I wish I’d had even some of this information when I first started writing and publishing because it would have saved me a lot of time, money, energy… and frustration.

If you choose to go down the indie author route, it will be completely up to you to publish your own book but it will be worth it, especially when you hold that first paperback copy in your hand and tears of joy well in your eyes. And they will. All of your hard work has finally paid off and you have a tangible book in your grasp to prove it.

No matter how overwhelmed you might feel right now, by the time you read to the end of this guide you will know exactly how to develop an engaging story and get it into the hands of readers worldwide. Yes. Worldwide! And it’s your choice as to how you want to publish – either as an indie author or a traditionally published one.

The one thing you must keep in mind is that if you don’t start you’ll never finish. Don’t think about writing, don’t talk about writing, don’t even dream about writing… Just write! WRITE! Get that story onto the page.

I’m not going to give you a long spiel about being an however many times published indie author, or nominated for this award or that award because that’s not why we’re here. Although it would more than likely give you the confidence you need to begin your writing journey and the trust in me to help you get to where you want to go. If you’d like to find out more about me and my books you can here: https://www.m-anderson.com.au. What I can tell you is it’s a long, creative process that requires dedication, discipline, and allocated time. If you don’t make the time to write your book it will never get written or published. So make a conscious choice to set aside time to write each and every day.

So let’s get started. Good luck on your journey to becoming a published indie or traditionally published author. You can DO THIS!

ONE: What is a Novel?

“The idea for a novel is like a little tiny fire in a dark night. And, one by one, the characters come and stand around it and warm their hands.” Stephen King

A fiction novel is a work of prose that typically ranges from 70,000 to 100,000 words, although some novels can be much longer (depending on the genre). It is a form of storytelling that allows an author to create a complex world with fully developed characters, intricate plots, and themes that explore a range of human experiences. Novels can be written in many different genres, including science fiction, romance, mystery, thriller, historical fiction and many others, and can be targeted towards different age groups or audiences.

A novel usually has a central story arc, a series of events that unfold and challenge and change the characters over time, and multiple subplots that are woven together to create a cohesive narrative. The characters in a novel are typically multi-dimensional, with their own motivations, histories, and unique voices. The setting of a novel can be a real or imagined place and is often described in great detail to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind.

One of the advantages of the novel form is that it allows for a more in-depth exploration of themes and ideas than shorter forms of fiction. Novels can delve into complex issues such as human relationships, morality, identity, social justice, and politics. They can also provide a window into different cultures, times, and places, allowing readers to broaden their perspectives and gain insight into the experiences of others.

The novel is a rich and versatile form of storytelling that has the power to transport readers to new worlds, challenge their beliefs and assumptions, and provide a deep and satisfying reading experience.

Overview of the writing a novel

The writing process can be broken down into several key stages:

Idea Generation: This is the first stage in the writing process, where an author comes up with the initial idea and genre for their story. This may involve brainstorming, mind-mapping, or simply reflecting on personal experiences or interests to come up with a concept that can be developed into a compelling tale.
Planning: Once an author has a basic idea for their story, they will typically begin to plan out the plot, characters, setting, and other key elements. This may involve creating an outline, storyboarding, or creating character sketches and profiles to help develop the story and ensure that it has a clear structure and direction.
Drafting: The drafting stage is where the author begins to actually write the story, putting their ideas into words and creating a first draft. This is often the most challenging stage, as the author must balance the need to be creative and expressive with the need to maintain consistency and coherence in their writing.
Revising: Once the first draft is complete, the author will typically go back and revise it, making changes to the plot, characters, or other elements to improve the story. This may involve adding new scenes, changing the dialogue, or reworking the structure to make it more effective.
Editing: After revising the draft, the author will then typically edit it, focusing on issues such as grammar, punctuation, spelling, and other technical aspects of the writing. This is often a detailed and time-consuming process that requires careful attention to detail and a strong grasp of language and writing conventions.
Publishing: The final stage in the writing process is publishing, where the author shares their work with the world. This may involve self-publishing, submitting the work to literary agents or publishers, or using other means to get the story in front of readers. This stage requires an understanding of the publishing industry and the ability to market and promote the work effectively.

The writing process is a complex and repetitious one, with each stage building on the previous one to create a final product that is engaging, effective, and meaningful. While the process can be challenging, it is also deeply rewarding, allowing authors to express themselves creatively and share their stories with readers.

Want to continue reading? Pick up your copy here Coming Soon

Bella Luna Books, Australia

M. A. Anderson

Excerpt from WRITING A NOVEL The Art of Storytelling

INTRODUCTION

Excerpt from WRITING A NOVEL
The Art of Storytelling