Beginnings–Starting a New Novel

January 8, 2012 by Chris · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Lessons Learned

I’m wrapping up my first mystery novel to soon be published on Amazon. Now, it’s time to move onto the next. My January includes a new beginning–starting a new novel.

I don’t rush the process of a fiction book. I muse, and I observe. I like to get a new Moleskine for each new book. Fiction books are different than non-fiction. I use a Moleskine to get into with the likes of Hemingway to inspire me. There’s also a connection to the physical act of writing. Yes, I use a word processor to write, but I hand-write my notes and ideas.

A basic plot line comes easy to me. It’s the fleshing out that takes time. I keep a Moleskine with me to always be ready to write notes. I also like to people watch. Whenever we are out and about, I’m ready to observe and note. That’s part of the process, albeit, ongoing throughout the writing even to through editing.

For the rest of it, I use writing exercises to develop characters. Books such as The Weekend Novelist Writes a Mystery. I like having the structure this book offers, leading me through the process. The biggest benefit is that it can prevent you from creating one-dimensional characters.

As I take notes, the story builds itself. Things start to click. The act of doing all of this sparks my subconscious to fill in the blanks. The trick is to keep fertilizing and watering the garden. Let your mind play out scenes. Keep your eyes open to learn more about human nature. You can’t learn in a book what the local watering hole might teach you.

I filled two Moleskines with notes. After I wrote my draft, I went back to see where my notes could fit in my novel. Not all of them make it, but my observations help give my writing form and substance. It’s on to the next!

Tags: characters, moleskine, novel development

Always Prepared For Character Material

November 12, 2007 by Chris · 1 Comment
Filed under: Lessons Learned

If there’s one thing I learned from writing is that you can never predict when the muse will pipe up. Take the other day, for instance. My husband and I were at the local watering hole. I observed this interesting interaction between two of the patrons. Perfect, I thought. I have to add this to my book. Of course, I didn’t want to lose the thought, so I whipped out my handy Moleskine Writing Journal and entered my thoughts for the scene. There’s something about a Moleskine too, being the journal of choice of the likes of Hemingway and others. It makes me feel like a real writer.

I keep two journals. One is a larger Moleskine that I keep at home for entering thoughts and then the smaller one in my purse so I always have something to write on. The muse’s ways are mysterious and unpredictable. You always have to be prepared.

Tags: character, moleskine, muse, writing