And here’s a slight problem – even though I have written several novels over the years, the starting process usually eludes me. How exactly did I start my last novel??
Maybe it came to me, fully formed, in a dream? Nooo.
Thankfully, I kept some of my old notes. And there, in all its glory (not) is a rather befuddled brainstorming process on bits of paper that, over time (and undoubtedly much pulling out of hair) eventually morphed into the novel I ended up writing last year.
Phew, thank goodness I kept those notes. So this morning I’ve just come up with version #1 of the next novel. This is such an embryonic phase that I thought it was worth sharing. There may be some of you out there who have had a gem of a novel idea present itself in a flash of lightning, and if so, I’d love to hear from you. Though I suspect the reality is more similar to my own laborious process.
Hi Tina
Mine came to me in a dream (oh that sounds sooo hokey!) but it was a fragment that I woke up with wondering what happened next? Unusual for me as I dont normally remember dreams. I am having difficulty making the space to sit and write, however every now and then I will ‘hear’ a phrase in my head that I would like to use and I jot it down till I can get to my laptop. I have a brainstorm too and I know a planning session would probably help but my creative brain doesn’t want to be that linear. So I have partial plans and then gaps that I haven’t quite figured out yet. I live in Taupo too. Wishing you well with that brilliant brainstorm.
Amazing, you got an idea in a dream, so it really does happen! I hope you find time to develop it into an interesting story. Great to hear you live in Taupo. Come along to my writing workshop at the Library, if you can, on Wednesday 13 March @ 12.30 for Book Month.
Hey Tina
Your workshop sounded great but I had to work. I hope it went well? I want to acknowledge your courage and service to the community in providing the workshop. Go you.
It’s really scary to start writing something that I think could be a novel for the very first time. That negative voice kicks in ‘who do you think you are? and what would you have to say that anyone would want to read?’…so I have to work at ignoring that and trust that it will all work. So thanks for your encouragement.
Thanks, Larnie. And yes, it’s totally scary starting a new novel. So much is uncertain! And there is always the possibility that the thing will simply fall over after only a dozen or so pages. In the end, you just have to be true to yourself and your inner voice. By the way, Bateman tell me that the digital version of the Handbook will be ready in about 2 weeks. I’ll be posting about it on the Facebook page.
Hello again Tina
I have made more room in my life for writing! yay. Its only a few hours a week at present but I am working on expanding it. Cause for celebration.