6)
Write a synopsis before you start your story.
I
probably hate this more than anyone. I know synopses are hard to write, but
at this point, we’re only using it for a guideline so it doesn’t matter if
it’s done perfectly or not. Remember, a synopsis is a roadmap. Without it,
you my become lost. With it, you can find your way to where you’re going,
even if you do stray. Write a short synopsis about your story before you even
start chapter one. That way, if you decide your story is starting to slow
down or sag in the middle, you can revert back to your synopsis and see what
is supposed to happen next. This will keep you on track.
7) Don’t
edit or rewrite while you are creating.
This is very important, so I’m going to repeat it. Don’t edit or rewrite
at all! Yes, you’ve heard me correctly. Now let me tell you why.
When I first started writing, I never got
past chapter four of my novel. That was because every day when I sat down
to write, I re-read what I’d done the day before and decided I needed to
change something or make something better. I guarantee if you keep going
backwards, you’ll never move forward.
Don’t worry if you can’t remember the hero’s
eye color from chapter one, or if you can’t think of a name for a secondary
character. Type in xxxx’s and go back later and fill it in later. If not,
it’ll only slow you down and stop the creative flow. If you don’t know the
price of a bottle of Dom Perignon and it’s not vital to the story at that
point, then forget about it. Put in those xxxx’s. You’ll know it’s expensive,
and that’s all that counts. Your point comes through and your research on
this minor point is pushed aside for a different time, allowing you to continuing
progressing with the story.
A word of warning, tho. This xxxx method
will not work for important things in the story. Don’t think you’re going
to put in xxxx’s for the 68 times you used the hero’s name in the first
chapter and get away with it. Hero and heroine’s names are important. You
need to know them right away to help you get the feel of the character you’re
writing about. Or if you have a vital plot element or clue, you need to
put that in the writing right away. Know your important elements to the
story. If you are writing a medieval historical and no nothing about the
middle ages, then you need to do that research upfront before you write
a single word. Do this kind of major research BEFORE you start writing.
8) Read
over the chapters you’ve written on your own time.
After
a day of writing, I settle down in bed with something to read. My own work,
that is. I read over what I’ve typed that day to keep it fresh in my mind,
and for a sort of reward. If you want, read it with a red pen in hand and
circle typos, but do not go into the computer and change them. That will
be done after the first draft is totally completed.
You
can write questions to yourself in the margins to check or research minor
things later. But this is done on your own time. This is not to happen in
the allotted time for writing. If you want to look through a character naming
sourcebook to find a name for the neighbor’s daughter, then do that while
you’re sitting in the car waiting for your children to come out of school.
Or while you’re waiting for the timer to go off so you can turn (or burn?)
the dinner in the microwave. (Or sitting in the bathroom may be time waster
for you. Use this time to flip through a research book then.) Filling in
the blanks should not take away from your regular writing time.
9) Don’t let anyone else read your work until you are finished.
Too
many times one’s spirit is broken by the critique of a friend or family
member, even though they mean no harm and think they’re only helping you.
Keep your story ideas and work to yourself. That way, if someone doesn’t
like it, you’ll never know and it won’t upset you. This way, you can keep
your passion level for you story high and it won’t cause you to have self-doubt,
which will only slow you down. You don’t need the approval of others. Know
you are a good writer and that no one else’s criticism or comments can bring
you down. You don’t need to hear anything negative about your work. Or at
least not now. You need to stay positive, and the only way to do this is
to keep your story under wraps until you’ve completed at least the first
draft.
If
you have a few critique partners who you trust, you can show them the first
draft once it’s completed if you feel you need to. Then, it is a good idea
to have someone read over the completed draft for typos and grammar checks
before you send it to an editor.
10)
Reward yourself.
This
may sound like it’s not important, but it is. When you reach your goal for
the day, reward yourself in some way. Polish your nails or soak in a hot
tub (while reading your work of course.) Tell yourself you deserve a little
pampering because you’ve met your goal for the day.
It’s
also important to reward yourself while you are working. I keep a bowl of
M&M’s on my desk (especially during those nasty time-consuming edits),
or a bowl of Cheez-its or other finger food. A can of your favorite soda
will do as well. Every time you finish a chapter, or a page or a paragraph
or whatever you decide is best for you, give yourself a treat. Positive
reinforcements go a long way and spur you on to continue.
Then,
when your first draft is completed in a month, tell your husband or boyfriend
or significant other to take you out to dinner to celebrate with a margarita!
He’ll be glad to, since he’ll think you’ll be cooking regular meals again
and now he won’t have to sort his own socks. He’ll think life will be back
to normal. Let him think it.
Then,
after the Death by Chocolate arrives, or the triple ice cream sundae
you can break the news to him that you plan on doing this all again next
month. And the month after that, and the one after that …
