It is often said that everyone has at least one novel in them, but very few of us ever attempt to put pen to paper and convert our thoughts into ink.
This is where Qatar National Library’s (QNL) English Creative Writing Circle can help. Like every year, the writing club is taking part in November’s NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), which sees participants commit to trying to write a 50,000-word novel in just 30 days.
Undoubtedly, the challenge is daunting – the 50,000 words averages out to about 1,700 words a day – but NaNoWriMo is not a competition and there are no hard and fast rules. The novel doesn’t have to be finished and the 50,000 words may be made up of plot, character development or simply your ideas. The real aim is to encourage people to have a go, build up their confidence and learn to love writing. Grammar, spelling or syntax are not important, what is important is getting your ideas onto paper.
This is all made easier in QNL’s English Creative Writing Circle because participants can talk to like-minded people, bounce ideas off them and receive constructive criticism. Importantly, the members all have different experiences of writing – some are complete beginners, others are published authors but together they create a supportive and non-judgmental environment.
The group will meet at the Library every Tuesday from 9 – 11 AM during November, so if you think you have a novel in you, this is the perfect time to get it out!
If you can’t get to the meetings, though, here are some ideas on how to get your ideas onto paper:
1. Isolate your idea
Every book begins with an idea. It could be based around a character, an event or a place. It doesn’t matter how simple it is, but spend time brainstorming, writing down associated themes, character arcs and thoughts. Let your imagination run wild.
2. What’s going to happen?
Some writers know their plot from the start. J K Rowling famously knew what was going to happen to Harry Potter by the time she had finished the first book. Other authors find that their ideas develop and change as they come to understand their characters more, and some just follow their imagination. However, having a plot outline can provide direction and a framework. Break your story down into the main events. This will provide you with a map which your characters can then navigate.
3. Who are your characters?
Characters are the beating heart of your story. Although you create them, they can then take on a life of their own and you need to know who they are. What are their motivations for behaving the way they do, what is their background, what are their frailties and strengths. The more you know about them, the easier it will be to create believable personalities for your readers, who can then become invested in the character.
4. Be disciplined!
Writing can be hard work and procrastination is all too easy. Set some dedicated time aside each day or each week when you spend time working on your novel and be strict about it.
5. Get your ideas onto paper.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and the same is true of writing a novel. Just start writing! The first draft doesn’t have to be perfect, rather it’s more important to get your ideas down. It can always be refined later.
6. Revise, edit and revise again.
So, you took the first step and now you have a rough draft. Now is the time to take a step back! Leave your manuscript alone for a few days and then come back to it with a fresh pair of eyes. Now you can start editing your text and taking a critical look at your plot and characters. Are they believable? Does the plot make sense? Don’t be afraid to delete sections and rewrite them if necessary.
7. Ask for feedback.
Share your work with friends, family, or writing groups. Ultimately, these people will be your readership, so criticism - both positive and negative - can be invaluable. Having said that, you can’t please all of the people all of the time, so don’t be afraid to reject their suggestions either. At the end of the day, this is your novel.
8. Polish and publish
After incorporating feedback, it’s time for a final polish. Check for grammar and spelling errors and ensure your pacing feels right. Once you’re satisfied, explore your publishing options. Whether you choose traditional publishing or self-publishing, take the leap to share your story with the world.
Click here for more information about the English Creative Writing Circle and NaNoWriMo at QNL.
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