Pretty much the first decision you’ll need to make is how much planning you’ll do in advance. Some novelists like to plan out every chapter before they begin. Others pick up a blank page, write the first line, and keep going from there. Most, though, fall somewhere in between those two extremes.

Is planning what to do before writing?

Before you begin the writing process, it is a good idea to make sure you understand your task and have a good idea about how you will manage your time as you work through your assignment. Planning is useful because it can help you organise your thoughts and prioritise the way you present information.

Should you plan a story before writing?

But, most writers agree that planning your novel is essential to prevent major plot and character mishaps. Planning helps prevent this from happening so, follow the tips given below and you’ll not go far wrong.

What should I plan before writing a story?

How to plan your novel in ten steps

• What’s at the heart of your novel? …
• Are you writing a particular genre or for a certain kind of reader? …
• Write the cover blurb. …
• Get to know your characters. …
• Where is your novel set? …
• Do your research. …
• How will you structure your story? …
• Write a chapter plan.

Do writers make it up as they go?

In fact, many writers prefer to make up the story as they go along. Plotting is excellent if that’s how you roll, but it’s also perfectly acceptable to sit down and start writing with only a vague idea of what you’re going to write about.

How do I plan my writing?

Early planning

1. carefully read and think about the assignment or task, and its purpose.
2. brainstorm lists of key words and topics, to give direction to your reading and research.
3. draw mindmaps, diagrams and flowcharts.
4. discuss your ideas with someone else.
5. list all the readings you could use.

Can you write a novel without planning?

Whether you normally outline or not, give writing without one a try right now. Take any story idea you have, or choose one from this master list, and write for fifteen minutes without planning or plotting. You can start with an idea for a character, a scene, or a setting.

How long do you spend planning a novel?

The average person writing a book for the first time can expect to spend anywhere from 4 months to over a year writing a book. While this might seem like it takes a long time to write a book, there are always methods to shorten this.

How do you do planning?

How to build a plan that works

1. Write down your goal.
2. Create a plan by dividing your goal into chunks.
3. Review your plan daily.
4. Stay on target.

What are the 10 steps to writing a book?

The First 10 Steps to Write Your Book in 2021

1. Create your intention. Your intention is a brief statement of when, where, and how long you’ll write each day. …
2. Find an accountability partner. …
3. Write a premise. …
4. Get feedback. …
5. Read your competition. …
6. Create an outline. …
7. Write your first chapter. …
8. Build your author website.

Where should I start planning my novel?

To plan your novel, you start with a basic idea (the center of the snowflake) and slowly add details to the idea (the fractals of the snowflake) to spiral into more and more detail. To follow the snowflake method, start with a one-sentence description of your novel—including the character, goal, conflict, and setting.

Where should I start my story?

Starting Stories: 5 Great Beginning Strategies

• Strategy 1: Begin with action or dialogue. …
• Strategy 2: Ask a question. …
• Strategy 3: Describe the setting. …
• Strategy 4: Begin with background information. …
• Strategy 5: Have the main character introduce himself or herself.

What to know about your story before writing it?

Writing Tips: 6 Things To Consider Before Writing A Novel

• Genre. So many people misunderstand the concept of genre. …
• Stakes. What’s at stake is another way of asking what the protagonist(s) stands to lose should they not complete the task(s) they set out to achieve. …
• Point of View (POV) …
• Setting. …
• Character. …
• Controlling Idea.

Can you write without writing?

Yup, you heard that right. Regardless of whether you’re a planner or pantser or plantser, you can always work on writing by outlining. Outlining is a great way to sort through the direction of your story.

How do I know what my story is?

To find the story you’re really telling—the story that’s really worth telling—you must look deeper.



3 Questions to Help You Find the Heart of Your Story

1. Plot: What Is Your Story’s External Conflict? …
2. Character: What Is Your Story’s Internal Conflict? …
3. Theme: What Is Your Story’s Theme?

What is the heart of every story?

The heart of a story is generally considered to be “what the story is about” at its deepest level. Down there, that’s where we discover the truth about our human condition. The best protagonists glimpse the ugly truth and see a way to rise above it–above themselves.

How do you know if a story is really good?

How to Tell a Story Effectively

1. Choose a clear central message. A great story usually progresses towards a central moral or message. …
2. Embrace conflict. …
3. Have a clear structure. …
4. Mine your personal experiences. …
5. Engage your audience. …
6. Observe good storytellers. …
7. Narrow the scope of your story.