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Question: What are the basic steps to writing a successful novel !?
Do u gather your thoughts before and let things kinda fall in place or do you create as you go!. What's the first step to writing a novel !?Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
The creative aspects, such as an outline and character development, will come to you in your own way!.
That, however, is only half of it!. To write a novel you need patience, self-discipline, and a committed work ethic!. As I have said before, writing a novel is like running a marathon!. No matter how excited you are at first, eventually you find yourself tiring!. You have to keep at it!. Then comes the editing of the first draft, rewriting it, editing it again, allowing someone to read it and point out all the mistakes you missed, back to editing!.!.!.
Still, when you have what you consider the finished product in your hands, even if it never gets published, it is still an accomplishment of which to be proud!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Different writers use different techniques!. Some like to work from a chapter by chapter outline, others like to start in and see what their characters do and how they interact!.
The first step to writing a novel is, to quote one of the great authors of our time, 'to apply the seat of your pants to a chair and begin writing!.'
Writing is perhaps the media that most invites procrastination but if you set yourself a target - even as little as three pages a day - you will soon build up a serious body of work!.
The bottom line is, the best technique is whatever works for you!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Everyone does it differently!. Some people write extensive outlines and character sketches and get all their research in place before they ever begin to actually write the story!.

Others wing it!. Just start writing what's in their head and see where it takes them!.

Most people probably fall somewhere in between!.

The point is, your way will be unique to you!. And you won't find out what method works best for you until you start writing!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Do you gather your thoughts and plan!? Depends on the writer!.

That's a huge thing, in fact!. You have to experiment and get to know the method that works for YOU!.

Another basic step: Grammar!. Seriously!. Take the written word and respect it- don't kick it in the nuts and expect others to straighten it out!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

There's no set way!. Different ways work for different people!.

"Get it down!. Take chances!. It may be bad, but it's the only way you can do anything good!."
-William Faulkner

Take Faulkner's advice!. If you're going to listen to anyone, it might as well be a renowned author!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Personally i need to gather my thoughts and know where i'm going before i begin!. For me, there's no use in just surging into a story with undeveloped characters and an undeveloped plot; they're not a strong sense of direction!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

step 1) come up with a good ideaWww@QuestionHome@Com