How I Write a Novel

A number of people have asked me what is the practical, day-to-day process of writing a novel. So here goes . . .

For me, the initial inspiration usually comes with a single scene, a possible book title or an idea. If I'm lucky, that idea or scene starts to develop into a series of other ideas that eventually link up into some kind of story line. At that point, I try and get two or three weeks away from the "day job" and writing the first draft - which I aim to complete in one go without stopping - typing it straight onto a laptop.

It is through this process of being "locked away" with the book, that I get to know all the characters, the locations and the main points of the story. I think as I write and, because I am constantly typing, I have a finished draft of a novel, ready to develop.

From there, I take this first draft and break its plot down into a structure - a beginning, a middle and an end - with a main story and a number of sub-plots.

I look at structure and, above all, I develop the characters that I've met in the first draft. I also do the necessary research regarding locations, timelines and any technology I might employ.

The purpose of all this background work is to have enough ground work done to embark on the second draft, which will be close to how the finished novel will read.

Then, usually a year after writing the first draft, I take it and all my notes, charts and diagrams and lock myself away for another three weeks to write the second draft.

This time I write much more slowly and attempt to get all my facts, characters and storylines correct as I write. Again, this is undertaken in one setting, to get me back into the world of the novel. Once this second draft is done, it is only a matter of editing and polishing to reach the final draft that goes to my agent.

The whole process, from conception to the handing in of the finished manuscript takes me around two years - but then again, that is part time writing. If I am ever lucky enough to become a full time author, then the process will take less time to complete.

Welcome to my Book Blog

Hi, and welcome to my virtual book store on Blogger.
I'll be building on this blog over the next few weeks but, in the meantime, you can get full details of both my adult and children's books on www.virtualtrilogy.com and www.captaincockle.com.
Looking forward to blogging with you on writing, science fiction, pyramid power, artificial intelligence and the wonders of marine life.
Be blogging you!

John Joyce