One word at a time.

Kind of sounds like the "eat an elephant" joke, doesn't it? But it's also true.

Learning how to write a novel may seem a daunting task, even when you want to do it. But if you're at all like me, you have to write. And it can't be short.

I've tried short story writing. And every time someone reads one of my "short stories", they always ask, "Where's the next chapter?" I can't do short. I can only do long. Don't ask me why.

Why do I write?

For me, writing is like breathing. Stop, and I'd die. It's my vice of choice, my sanity, my stress release from a bad day or bad week. Such necessity kind of forced me to figure out how to write a novel.

How about you? Do you find yourself scribbling scenes on whatever scrap of paper is handy?

Guilty! So do I.

Do story ideas begin boiling over in your head while you watch a movie?

Yup, me too. Or the news, or (I'm so embarrassed) sometimes... commercials.

Do you read others' novels and think, "I can do better than this!"

Uh huh. I know exactly how you feel. It's like being possessed.

And this isn't a new obsession. Oh no.

Long before I knew how to write a novel, the seeds of "need" were sown. In eighth grade, my English teacher had us keep journals. And she read them as part of our grade for class. (Not out loud in front of the class, thank God!) Her comment to me was, "You write very well."

Tell that to an uncertain 14-year-old, and guess what? You've boosted her ego by miles. Something I can do well! Yippee!

So, blame it on my teacher. I've been writing fiction insatiably ever since.

Now, I can't stop myself. Literally. (Or is that literaturely? Go ahead. Groan at my bad puns. I'm used to it.)

I have characters that started forming in my head all those years ago, and metamorphed into their current form over the (many) years since.

Yeah, I hear voices in my head. All the time. Some days, they won't shut up.

But that's part of the fun. My characters have been hanging around long enough, I know them well, and still, they tell me how to write their novel. Especially when I'm in the shower. Of course.

Or going to sleep.

Do you find yourself exploding with ideas when you're drifting off? Or waking up?

Must be those great delta brain waves. You think you're relaxed and your brain's on fire.

As if you don't need sleep??

I mean, really! Can't those ideas come when you're awake? Better yet when you're "in the mood" to write (and have the time)?

Oh no... they have to come while your hands are full, or you're at work, or driving.

But I digress. (Always.)

If you want to learn how to write a novel, you've come to the "write" place. Because I want to help you.

One word at a time.

We'll talk characters. We'll dissect plot. We'll learn setting, description, dialogue, editing and find writers resources. We'll discuss all those words and how to stuff them into 300-400 pages. In good order. And cut the "fat" to make a winner.

So your readers can't put the book down, and they call you the next morning saying things like, "I couldn't go to sleep until 3:00 this morning. And it's YOUR fault! I couldn't put your book down!"

Yup. I've been told that by a friend who read one of my novels. Such a giddy "I did it!" feeling that brings! It's even better when they ask, "When's the next one going to be done?"

So, get out your notepad (or if your handwriting's as atrocious as mine, your laptop) and learn how to write a novel. One step at a time.

Come on! I can't help myself! (Or is that stop myself?)

But I can help you.

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Pease fill out my reader survey and let me know more about you, so I can improve this website.

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June 2010 Update

Just had to let you know I've added a little info about changes happening at my how to write a novel site and at home in the last twelve months. Click the "About Me" button above left and check it out at the bottom of that page.