novel writer's program for success

NOVELIST'S PROGRAM FOR SUCCESS:

DEVELOP YOUR OWN CRITIQUE & SUPPORT GROUP
Negotiate with at least one and up to four other KNOWLEDGEABLE NOVEL WRITERS to set up a novelist's writer buddy or private work group -- a circle of peers. This novel writer's buddy group or circle of peers should help each other and listen to one another during bouts of doubt, writer's depression, snags, blocks, to help brainstorm or research when needed, and also to cheer each other's breakthroughs, epiphanies, and euphoria. Think commiseration, help, and celebration.

1000 NEW WORDS A DAY
Write a minimum of 1000 new words of fiction a day at least six days a week (6000 words a week miniumum). It is preferable that you write twice that or more, but the point is to develop the habit of writing. NEVER STOP WRITING AT A SCENE BREAK OR AT THE RESOLUTION OF A CRISIS. ALWAYS STOP WRITING AT A HIGH TENSION POINT. This prevents stalling out and writer's block. NEVER RE-READ WHAT YOU HAVE WRITTEN. Just go on. Fixing is done after you've reached the end of the story. If you need to change what happened before, just make a note in the manuscript as to what change you feel is needed, then write on as if that change has been carried out. (Note that at 6000 words a week, it will take you about thirteen [13] weeks to write an 80,000 word book.)

KEEP TALLY & BACK UP YOUR WORK
Keep track your daily word count to a running tally, posting it daily. Always back-up your work to keep it safe. Google offers a free service where you can upload documents. BACK UP DAILY.

HITTING A SNAG
Don't fret. Think of the END of your book: How does it end? Think of the characters in your book. What are they like and what would they be doing or thinking? Think of your story world. What could be happening? Should you introduce a new character? Maybe something happens in your world or to your character that adds a wrinkle to his or her dilemma. If you can't figure out how to unsnag yourself, skip that scene or several scenes and go on drafting from where you know the story again. If all else fails, you can:

Plot Map
Outline
Build a scene by scene synopsis
Brainstorm with other writers

READING YOUR WORK
Once you have reached the end of your work-in-progress, take a day off to celebrate. Then:

If you have just finished your first draft: Print it out and read it straight through, making short notes in the margin or on a separate note pad (include page and paragraph) about any content problems you see. Do not blue pencil grammar or punctuation at this time. Do not "fix" the story at this time. Do read it straight through. Do not go back and reread. This draft read should take you a maximum of one to two weeks.
If you have just finished your second draft: Read it on screen out loud to yourself or to someone else. Fix the spelling, grammar and punctuation issues that you see and hear as you go. Process at least 5000 words a day, preferably 15,000 words. An 80,000 word book should take you six days to read through at optimum work levels, but, for those who have limited time, plan to allow four weeks for this process.
If you have just finished "finalling" your manuscript: Do a proof read and last edit. This can be accomplished using a silent read and/or reading it aloud again. Allow one to four weeks for this.

EDITING / REWRITING YOUR DRAFT, SECOND DRAFT, OR FINAL VERSION OF THE MANUSCRIPT

NEVER WORK ON THE ORIGINAL FILE. ALWAYS WORK ON A COPY OF THE LAST BEST FILE OR ON A NEW INTERFACE. The draft is your reference, not your working copy. The same is true for your second draft.
Again, you must work from start to finish without going back. You ONLY go back after you've reached The End and start another third draft...which is the most it should take if you have maintained story logic and cohesion. If you are stuck on plot holes, before starting the third and final round, make a scene-by-scene outline, plot map, and/or detailed synopsis. Then start round three and move through the manuscript from front to back.
There are several methods to use when second drafting or finalling a novel. You can use the printed copy and, setting it beside you, completely retype the work into a brand new interface, or you can add/edit a copy. How you do it depends on what works best for you. SECOND DRAFTING should take you anywhere from four to thirteen weeks to accomplish. FINALLING a manuscript should take you one to eight weeks.

WHAT NEXT?
Work with a buddy or small circle of like-minded writers to read each other's author final manuscripts. Hopefully not everyone's manuscript is author final at the same time...or else everyone's manuscript IS ready at nearly the same time. Either way works, but decide a reasonable but effective schedule. Each person is looking for plot holes, logical errors, grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors in other members' manuscripts. Each member should give a running dialogue on what they liked and what stopped them in their reading of your work...and you in theirs. Plan on spending two weeks per member's book multiplied by the number of members in your circle. It should take you only two weeks to read and comment on an "author final" manuscript, four at the outside, including nitting for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors your eye picks up. Your main job as a member of a novelist's peer review circle or novel buddy is to find places where the story stops you reading or drops you out. Note that spot and why it dropped you out, made you pause, or caused you to suspend belief so you can tell the author. Make note of stylistic and voice problems that negatively affected your read. PLEASE TELL THE AUTHOR WHAT WORKED -- WHAT EXCITED, DELIGHTED, TERRIFIED OR INTRIGUED YOU. EFFUSIVE PRAISE WHEN WARRANTED IS A NOVELIST'S BEST REWARD...aside from selling the manuscript, of course.

AFTER THE PEER REVIEW
After your work has been read and commented on by your novel buddy or peer circle, think about what they said. Pay attention to places they all independently pointed out as a problem for them. Pay particular attention to places most or all members agree as problematic. If you agree with them, change the manuscript. If you don't agree with them, don't.

SUBMIT
WRITE YOUR QUERY, SYNOPSIS, OUTLINE, AND BLURB. SELECT THE AAR AGENTS AND PUBLISHERS YOU WILL SUBMIT TO, LISTING THEM FROM BEST TO LEAST BEST. SUBMIT YOUR NOVEL STARTING AT THE TOP OF YOUR LIST. It is usually wise to get your peer circle or buddy's help with queries, blurbs, cover letters, and synopses.

KEEP SUBMISSION RECORDS
Keep a running tally of who you submitted to and when, when they replied, whether they rejected your manuscript, or if/when they requested a partial and/or the whole manuscript. When you secure an agent or publisher, certainly post your success for all to celebrate. Have a party!

Lesson TOC (Table of Contents)...4

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