Our lives are all about stories. From a young age we are told stories, we learn to read through story books, and then later we become submerged in the narrative of our own lives. No matter the culture, mankind is fascinated by stories and most people could reel off a list of their favourite novels. The thing is that most of us could also write a great novel if only we had a better understanding of how to do so.
Read this book to learn about what it takes to write a great novel. See what is involved in devising a plot which will draw readers in and keep them interested. Discover how to make your characters memorable and believable. Find out how to avoid pitfalls and common mistakes. Consider this book as your companion – your aid to writing your first novel.
Credits
Preface
Chapter 1 WHAT IS A NOVEL?
The Origins of Storytelling
Presentation of Novels Today
What Constitutes a Novel?
Genre of Novels
Audience and the Novel
Chapter 2 STRUCTURE AND STYLE
Narrative or Story Structure
Other Devices Used in Story Writing
Style in Writing
Basic Rules of Style
Chapter 3 DEVELOPING A POINT OF VIEW
Introduction
Chapter 4 DEVELOPING THE MAIN PLOT
The Plot
What is a Plot-Driven Novel?
Developing the Plot
Theme
Chapter 5 WRITING A SYNOPSIS
A Matter of Words
Writing a Synopsis
Chapter 6 DEVELOPING SUBPLOTS
Deciding on Subplots
Chapter 7 CHARACTERS: HOW TO DEVELOP CHARACTERS
The Importance of Characters
Chapter 8 DIALOGUE AND CHARACTERS
Dialect
Chapter 9 MAINTAINING THE READER’S INTEREST – DEVELOPING PACE
Use of Pace
Creating the Pace
Chapter 10 REVISING YOUR NOVEL – THE IMPORTANCE OF EDITING AND REVISION
How to Revise and Edit
Chapter 11 DEALING WITH WRITER’S BLOCK/MAINTAINING YOUR CREATIVITY
Writer’s Block
Not Writing a Novel - Tips to Get Started AND Finish that Novel
Chapter 12 MANUSCRIPT FORMAT AND LAYOUT
Preparation
Chapter 13 MARKETING YOUR NOVEL
Marketing Options
Marketing Your Book
Marketing Elements
Projecting for the Future
APPENDIX
Distance learning and online courses
E-books by John Mason and ACS Staff
Printed books by John Mason
Useful contacts
ACS global partners
Social media