Writing my first manuscript

Apr 4

The day I turned on my computer, determined to start writing a novel, I was intimidated by the flashing cursor on a blank screen. What would that first word be? Was I really going to try and write a full blown novel? What if I couldn’t think of the right words to represent my story? What if I was no good?

These are only some of the many questions I asked myself. I had no training, or writing classes, under my belt except for k-12 schooling. Which had been 20 plus years ago. Although my full-time job involved writing reports, they are strictly fact-based. No room for wordsmithing the thought into a more creative dynamic. As you may have read, in my journal entry The Voice, I had a lot of fear cursing through my brain on why I shouldn’t write.

After I had tamed The Voice, as best I could, I reminded myself why I wanted to write a novel in the first place. It wasn’t to make money. It was to have fun and try to make a dream come true.

With that in mind, I reread my very basic outline and just started to type. I am fortunate enough that, on days when my creative juices are flowing, and I am in the zone, words naturally flow. However, on days when I sit and stare at my computer, or notebook, and the wheels aren’t turning I don’t force it. I never have fun when I do. This is partly why it took me years to finish my first novel. I needed to want to write.

Others have found dedicating a specific amount of time, or setting a word count goal, every day works for them. Personally, I get stressed out that I am either not accomplishing anything, or not hitting my goals. I am a check-the-box kind of person, and when I can’t check the box I get down on myself. Rather than create boxes I might not check, I just write when my mind says, “I am ready to tell your story now, let’s do this!”

Of course, what worked for me, or someone else, may not work for other writers. I encourage anyone who wants to write, or currently writes, to try different techniques until your own rhythm is found.

What Tools To Use

A writer needs to do what works best for them. This includes a writing platform. Personally, I have used the Scrivener software. Why? Honestly, a couple writers I know use it and it was cheap. I did find it helpful to organize chapters, character profiles and research. What I did not find it helpful in, and this may be my very basic understanding of the platform, was ‘CTRL+Find’ and ‘Replace’. I had to go through each chapter to replace a character name, for example. There are numerous Youtube tutorials, which I still need to take, and would recommend checking these out to see if the platform would support your needs.

Others have been very successful in using Microsoft Word, Google Docs or even writing it out by hand on paper before transferring it over to an electronic platform.

I would recommend using whatever tool you currently have access to and are comfortable using. Especially if you are testing the waters, to see if writing is for you. Don’t spend a lot of money, or any for that matter (Google Docs is free), unless you believe it is necessary. A ‘fancy’ tool won’t make the writing better. It might make the project organization easier, but the words will still be your words.

Just Write, Don’t Think- Too Much

As I wrote, I didn’t pay attention to typos, grammar or sentence structure. I just started to get words onto the page. I reminded myself I would worry about all the fine details during editing. Full disclosure: I reread sentences and paragraphs to ensure I had successfully articulated the idea I was trying to get across. I didn’t perfect the idea, but I had to make it cohesive enough to be able to come back to it and understand what I was trying to say. Especially, given the fact I knew it could take weeks, months or years for me to come back to a chapter/idea.

I also didn’t fret too much on scenery, clothing or weather descriptions. For example, I knew I would have to research what a private plane looked like - made a note to do so - and moved on. If it was going to be raining, I just put ‘it was raining’. I could flower up the description later. Getting my first draft on paper didn’t hinge on ‘dark billowing clouds started to encroach…” If the words came to me easily, sure, I would write them. But I would not become hyper-focused and stagnant until I could perfectly describe something. The same with some of my character descriptions. I knew I had certain character types/personalities, but I didn’t really know how each of the upwards of 20 characters were going to look. Unless it came into play in the scene, I wrote what I felt at the time and fleshed it out later.

Character Names

When I started the writing process, I would get hung up on character names. I wanted to get them just right and would spend time trying to find the ‘right’ name. I quickly learned the name wasn’t going to change what the character said or did. I let my desire for having named characters go and found it easier to write. For The Perilous Road to Her, I knew the names of three of my main characters immediately. But others - for example, William’s brother, who is a major character - I simply wrote “W’s brother” until the day his name came to me.

Researching character names can be a lot of fun! What I had to ask myself was, is the name absolutely necessary to know during this first very rough draft? If it would distract me to the point I could not write, I would find a name. Otherwise, I used a specific keyword that I could ‘CTRL+ Find’ and ‘Replace’ later. In The Perilous Road To Her, I changed the name of a couple minor characters after my editor had done her first round of editing. It wasn’t even her recommendation. No name is set in stone.

Sequence of Story Points

For The Perilous Road To Her, I was fortunate to have the sequence of events flow through my fingertips in the order they were meant to be in. The only exception was, as I was nearing the end of my draft, I had added a prologue to develop the backstories of Olivia and Claire. However, in the end I moved portions of that into chapter three and saved the rest to be used in another story if warranted.

As I start to plan my next novel, I have actually taken the time to outline the major events and the order I currently feel they will occur. Whether you complete an outline or not, it could be helpful to understand that where an event currently resides in a story may not be the best place for it in the end. That doesn’t mean you wait to write it, it just means it may get moved. Placing it somewhere else may then open up a world of possibilities of where the story can go, how characters react, what Easter eggs you may be able to hide for later. The possibilities are endless.

The goal for the first rough draft is to get words on the page!

To Write in Order - That Is The Question

I am only one manuscript in, so I am not an expert when it comes to the order to write in. My brain likes to be organized and stay the course, so to speak. Currently, I write start to finish. I don’t know what ideas will come up writing chapter 3 that could influence chapter 10. However, if an idea you have been mulling over for a scene or chapter later on in your story is calling to you - write it! Writing is much more fun when you are passionate and excited about it. Why bury that passion ‘for later’? In the end, the story will come together piece by piece whether you write chapter one first or the last chapter.

Takeaways For Writing a First Draft