Writing Step 5: Take 1 chapter at a time

Writing Step 5: Take 1 chapter at a time and expand it. Pull dialogue out. Show don’t tell. Learn more: http://ow.ly/1nUYI

Writing Step 4: Non Fiction:

Make sure your facts are correct. Locations, dates, names etc.

Writing Step 4: Fiction:

Do a character sketch for your main characters. Visit my blog to see what this is or click into the Notes section of this page.

Writing Step 3:

Fill in the chapter info from your outline. Don’t know it – skip it. Write what wants to be written even if it’s 1 paragraph.

Writing Steps – Step 2.5

Put your  ideas into chapter order.

If you don’t know what to put,  Type ? next to the chapter # and move on.

Example:

Chapter 1: car scene

Chapter 2: ???

Chapter 3: Ski Scene

Chapter 4: Snowing

Chapter 5: ??

Writing Steps – Step 2

After storing your ideas for 2 weeks to 1 month, take the ideas you’ve been jotting down and begin to organize them in an outline fashion. Start with a beginning, a middle and an end.

Do whatever it takes to get them into some sort of order: cut and paste them in order, retype them in order…

Writing Steps – Step 1

For 2 weeks jot your ideas down and store them in a safe place. (i.e. a notebook, a drawer, a folder…)

Don’t do anything with them at this time just keep writing down your ideas…

Character Sketch

A character sketch is key before you start any work of fiction. It will help you stay consistent with your characters action, reactions, and much more through out your book. Below is a condensed version of a character sketch. If you would like a more in-depth form, please contact me at: jen@theauthorfirst.com or Jennifer@lgrouponline.com.

CHARACTER SKETCH

NAME:_______________________________ETHNIC ORIGIN:_______________________

HEIGHT:__________AGE/BDAY:___________EYES:______________HAIR:___________

BODY TYPE:  _________________________SELF IMAGE:____________________________

HEALTH:_____________________________APPETITE:______________________________

EDUCATION:_________________________________________________________________

PERSONAL GOALS: ___________________________________________________________

PROFESSION:_________________________WORK GOALS: __________________________

FINANCIAL SITUATION:_______________________________________________________

COMMITMENTS/

RESPONCIBILITIES:___________________________________________________________

MARITAL ATTITUDE:__________________________________________________________

HOBBIES/INTERESTS:_________________________________________________________

FEARS/APPREHENSIONS:______________________________________________________

YEARNINGS: _________________________________________________________________

SENSE OF HUMOR: ___________________________________________________________

HABITS/QUIRKS:______________________________________________________________

STENGTHS/POSTIVE TRAITS:                                                  WEAKNESS/NEG. TRAITS:

_____________________________________________________________________________

BACKGROUND INFO:

_____________________________________________________________________________

PARENTS/RELATIVE INFO:

Writing…

So I am taking time out of my own writing to write for my clients. It’s so much fun and actually helps to inspire me.

Finally…

Ok, I finally sat down to actually work on my own writing. I have about 1/2 of the book complete with editing changes and all.

Aside from that, I have been helping a client write a book which has been so much fun!