Writing: Prep Work

Novel in 90 Days: Getting Ready

Taking the Writers' League Class? Get ready, 'cause we're writing a book!

• Begin making space in your life for your novel. Get your house clean, streamline your desk. Enlist the help of family and friends that you are making a commitment to getting your novel written.
• Really think about your novel. Figure out where and what time this story takes place, who the main characters are, what they want and how they’ll get it, or if they’ll get it. Write a two or three page “guide,” just as you would give someone directions. You should also know your GMC (Goal, Motivation, Conflict) for your book. Why are you writing it? What is it you want to convey to the reader?
• Collect things that will help you along the way. I collected photos of what my characters look like, made out a blueprint of my protagonist’s house and office and got a map of Galveston, which is where part of my book takes place.
• Create a tagline for your novel. The tagline for SCOOP was Janet Evanovich meets the Ya Yas. Encapsulate your idea in one sentence. All of this is to get your wheels turning, to get inside your novel and work it from the inside out.
• Be accountable. Log on to novelin90days@yahoogroups.com and subscribe to the Novel in 90 Days group. We’re going to post our word counts and progress there.
• For more information on Novel in 90 Days, visit Kit’s blog at kitfrazieroffleash.blogspot.com or email her at kitfrazier@yahoo.com