Write Your Fiction Novel Today

How many times have you said to yourself, "Self, I have got to write a book." Quit telling yourself to write your fantasy novel and get started today. Here is how you do it.

You are reading this Hub right now because you want to write a fantasy novel. And, you want to write it today. Well, this hub will teach you some things you can do today to get going on your novel. You may not finish today, but the only way to ever finish is to apply the backend to your chair and start typing or writing. Let's get started. . .

Plot!

Did you start to have heart palpitations when I said that? Did it give you flashbacks to when your older brother used to scare the living crap by hiding in the dark?

Plot isn't really that complicated. Take today for example. When was the last time you found yourself complaining about something that happened to you. That was a plot. Plot is conflict in motion. Since we are talking about fantasy writing, you simply come up with someone who is in conflict with someone or something else.

For instance, I am going to give myself 3 minutes to come up with a plot. It may stink. But I will have a plot within 3 minutes. Drew is my character. He lives in a small hut outside a very small village. He is intelligent and works hard. He works as a farmhand for the local farmers. He has no family. The village found him one day wandering in their village. They guess he was about 15 at the time. Now he is 18. No one knows where he came from or whose child he is. He wants bigger and better things (note, now we are getting a little plot and conflict beginning. Drew has some potential issues and may want to get them resolved). One day, a random stranger comes into town and asks after him by description. The stranger is odd and Drew hides out. The next week, another stranger comes looking after him. This one is even more odd. Finally, Drew realizes there are several groups of people searching for him as he has the key to a vital resource (power, magic, secret knowledge, etc) even though he doesn't know it.

So, that actually took me five minutes because I had to answer two phone calls at work while I was typing it. Not too bad. A little basic plot with some potential. Feel free to use it if you want, or switch it around and makes some adjustments. But you can see, working up a plot isn't all that hard. As long as you really want to.

Now it it your turn. Spend the next ten minutes typing or writing in your notepad. Create a basic plot and you will have the first step all done.

Characters are tough, aren't they? Not really. Who do you like the most in your life? Why? What about them do you like? What are their weaknesses? Make a list of two or three people you really admire. Then list the characteristics that you most like about them. These are the characteristics of your hero. Make sure to mix in a few weaknesses. No one, except comic book heroes, are perfect in every way.

Now, who do you despise? Why? Do they whine, mope, or laze about? Are they mean? Are they wicked? Are they vindictive? Do the same. Make a list of two or three people you really despise and then list the common characteristics that you so very much dislike about them. This is the base for your villain. Be sure to mix in a few good characteristics or redeeming qualities (once again, avoid the comic book villain mentality.)

Now give your hero and your villain some history. Let's take our hero, Drew. He is hardworking and diligent. He doesn't complain. He sometimes takes unreasonable chances and he has a burning desire to know the truth. (This last could be a redeeming quality or it could be his downfall if he pushes it too hard). The villain, unknown to Drew at the beginning of the story, is the man who took it all away from Drew. He killed his parents and stole Drew's memory. The villain is the King. He lusts for power. But he is kind to small animals. Why does Drew come into conflict with the King? Because the King thinks Drew has the knowledge he lusts for and because Drew wants to know the real truth (and the King doesn't want him to find out).

The only way you will be a writer is to get writing. Go sit down and start. You can make excuses all day long--I don't have time, I'm busy, I don't know what to write about, etc. The only way to be a writer is to write.  If you are anything like me, you will always look for something to do before writing.  I want to write, but it is imperative that I clean out my sock drawer right now.  I am going to write just as soon as I fix the small paint chip on my storage room wall.  You know the drill, if you want to write-- WRITE NOW!

I have read each of the books listed below and would recommend them to anyone. They have great ideas, tips and tools for any level writer. If you have the inclination, get your hands on one or two today and get reading to become a better writer.