How To Write a Novel: The 5 Draft Method

    After scrounging around on Wattpad for a while; reading profiles and others' stories, it has occurred to me that a lot of you have aspirations of being published. Self-publishing, or Traditional, it doesn't matter. Perhaps Wattpad is an inspiration, an outlet, or perhaps it is just a muse or a feeler for your creativity and current ideas. Whatever the case, being published means a lot more than having a million reads or votes on Wattpad. Some of the best stories I have read here have less than 100 votes. Likewise some of those in the 100's of thousands were (publishing world speaking) really horrid. You have to have compelling content, well written words and it all has to be done correctly.

    Every author will have their own way of doing things. Each one of us is unique, not only in our ideas and stories, but in our preparedness and tactics as well. What works for me, may not work for you. That is okay! The goal is having an end result that is the same: readable, enjoyable, and with the ability to garner attention from the industry that drives us all. So, how do we do that? Follow along. I will take you step by step through my self-created "5 Draft Method". I will also give you pointers and suggestions throughout, and I will offer alternate means for doing certain tasks. Like I said, everyone is different, but our goal is the same.

    Before we ever start the rough draft, or Draft 1 in my method, there are certain things we have to remember, others we have to forget, and still others we need to learn. First, and foremost, you have to have a compelling story idea. Without a story idea you have nothing. You aren't going to write 75,000 – 120,000 words if you have no idea what you are writing about. When you have a basic idea, write it down. I use a notebook a lot for my basic ideas. Some people use Word, or notepad on their computer. Use what is best for you. Just get the idea down on paper. Once you have the idea down so you can see it, you need to figure out if it is truly something you can write about. Perhaps the idea of an elephant that learns to speak English is a good idea, but can you actually write enough about it to create a gripping novel? Maybe. You just have to think about it. This is what I call "fleshing out the idea"

    When you flesh out your idea, you are giving the back bone of your story substance. Ask yourself questions, and then answer them, and do it all on your paper (or computer). How did the elephant learn English? Does he understand it or just say words? Is he a wild elephant or a trained one? Where does he live? Will he get captured or stolen?  Once you feel you could go on and on and on, do so. You will know you are on to something when you keep coming up with questions about your idea. Write them down, answer them, read the answers, perhaps they spark further ideas, or better yet, more questions. Don't be afraid to spend a few days here. If you have the idea and a plethora of questions and answers, you may be more confident to begin. If you don't, but you really love the story idea, then tell the idea to a few friends or relatives. Post it on Facebook, or your blog. See what kind of questions others ask about it. Take your time here. There is no rush, you aren't getting published tomorrow. Breathe. This writing a publishable novel thing is not a one day process, a good novel, a "perfect" novel can take months, even years. My first full length novel, for example, has taken me over 3 years so far, and I'm no where near complete. Before you ever begin writing your story, you must have something to write about. Remember this always: When starting a story, the most important thing is the idea behind it. Your idea. You have the ability to unfold a story never before told. You can give life to anything and send someone's imagination running wild. Take. Your. Time.

    Now, while all this is going on, your brain is going to go off the charts. Not only will you be answering these questions, but you will be developing the story, the plot, the backbone of the entire book. In your mind you will see the story unfold. Perhaps you start at the birth of the elephant and the story goes all the way to his untimely demise. Whatever it is, you will actually begin development of the story before you ever put the first sentence down on paper. Its going to happen, this is how our brains work. Go with it. If you get great ideas, write them down, if you get character names and location ideas, write them down! They are called notes for a reason. A writer friend of mine uses index cards for this portion of her works. She says it helps her put the story together like a puzzle. She will write a few instances about whatever she is thinking on each card as they come up. Then, before she starts writing, she shuffles them around on the floor in front of her and gets the order of the story all mapped out. Its what works for her. Try it if you like. It may work for you. Personally, I don't need to do this. I have grown accustomed to my brain and how I write, I've been doing it for many years now. I know when I am done with my notes how the story is going to be mapped out. I am also fully aware that this will change a dozen times before I am finished. So does my friend. I just so happen to not need to be as organized as she is. Find the way that works best for you, try a few different things out, don't be scared to experiment. Its the only way to get comfortable with your own words. A notebook, index cards, sticky notes on the wall, some computer based text editor, or even a software specifically designed for story creation (there are several out there, search for them, some are even free). Whatever it takes for you to get your story idea out of your head and on paper where you can physically see it, that is what needs to be done.

    Now, once you feel you are ready to begin writing, you have just a few things to think about. First and foremost HOW are you going to write? Is your rough draft going to be hand written on a legal pad with a pen? Are you going to use a text editor, or specific computer software designed for manuscripts? Me? I use my idea notebook for my ideas and then everything goes digital. I use LibreOffice (because I run Linux) which is the same as Microsoft Word. I save each draft as I go and add to the new ones with each step in the process. Again, find what you are most comfortable with. Trial and error. Once you find your comfort zone things will go much smoother and quicker for you. Believe me, there is no wrong or right way to write, so don't be afraid to try things out.

    You also have to forget a few things. First forget spelling and grammar. Easier said than done for some, already done for others. Unfortunately, I cannot forget spelling. It is a pet peeve of mine. I can't let a word go misspelled longer than the time it takes me to finish the sentence it is in. For your first draft though, we are not worried about it, honest. It will get fixed. Mistakes will happen, words will be used wrong, or out of context. ITS OKAY. Let them go, we will fix it, I promise. Next, forget structure, margins, titles, word count, forget it all. You don't need any of it. However, I highly recommend you do not use text speak, words such as "u" and "ur" and "h8r". Use your full words. Spell them out. Write like an educated person that wants to be taken seriously in the industry. Finally, forget most of the rules you learned in English class. At least as far as writing goes. Here is what you should hold on to: ONE space after each period. Numbers one through ten are spelled out, 11 and higher are written in numerical form. Double space the entire document (even if writing long hand on paper) and lastly don't start every sentence with the same word. Use the thesaurus. Look up synonyms and antonyms then, use them. Believe me, even in the rough draft it will matter. Not as much, granted, but it will matter.

    Once you are here, you are ready to actually start writing your story! Congratulations, the brain storm is over, preparations have been made and you are ready to write the greatest novel of all time! So let's start with Draft 1!