Novels, Part 1 of 2: How to Start
Consider The first draft is you just telling yourself the story. – Terry Pratchett Many think the year’s eleventh month is November. To a half million people worldwide, these thirty days have a special, exhilarating name: NaNoWriMo[National Novel Writing Month]! From the 1st through the 30th, hundreds of thousands are averaging almost nine pages a day to make their fabulous visions real. Minute-by-minute, they’re accumulating 50,000 words. Whew! Succeeding at NaNoWriMo requires special preparation and stamina [I’ve done so]. Whether aiming to meet the 30-day challenge or allowing more time, here’s how to start a book. How to Write a Novel in 13 Steps. Among the tips offered here, the recommendation that starting by thinking through the main characters is important. Why? “Readers become invested in what happens to them. You can develop the most brilliant, twisty narrative, but if the reader doesn’t care how the protagonist ends up, you’re in trouble.” Mind Map Your Novel This technique is a great way to plan a novel can be. Mind mapping can start with a central premise [what if a cat flies to Mars to become human] and allows possibilities to be explored and characters developed easily. How to Start A Book Don’t have time to write? Consider, … time is not something we have; it’s something we make. Set aside time, even just 10 minutes per day. Start a timer … to reinforce the feeling that you’re keeping an important writing appointment. In 10 minutes you can: Write a quick scene synopsis Find out as much as you can about a setting Create a character profile detailing a character’s appearance, goals, fears, strengths, weaknesses, secrets The internet offers lots of advice on how to write books. I liked the above resources best, as well as the two videos offered below. Both are packed with great insights. If you’ve got a story to tell [or are curious about how the process begins], keep award-winning and best-selling author Margaret Atwood’s words in mind, If I waited for perfection, I could never write a word. Succeed and Soar! COMMENT. How to Write a Book, 13 Steps from Top Selling Author Click Here to View. 17 minutes, 36 seconds. How to Write a Novel, for Beginners Click Here to View 10 Minutes, 33 Seconds Join me in drafting a complete novel [or memoir] during 2024. Each Weekly Class [via Zoom] includes: Inspiring Resources Enriching Discussions Encouraging Support Enlightening Feedback Goal: 430 page first draft by mid December Cost: $100/month. [Sample first class for $25. ] Write me with questions and to register. Classes begin mid-January, 2024, Shop Sandra’s Succeed & Soar Art on Puzzles As well as tote bags, tee shirts, journals, puzzles, phone cases, ornaments, face masks, towels, blankets, cups, pillows, shower curtains and more Puzzles are great for quiet time, focus and centering. A pleasant way to share time with others or relaxing alone. Puzzles are made from premium 0.2” paper stock A semi-gloss coating on top surface makes image pop Puzzles available in two sizes [18”x24”, 500 pieces and 20”x28” 1,000 pieces] Safe storage in in handsome, sturdy box with artwork printed on top Puzzle pieces are unique shapes Prices vary, from: $40 NOTE: Sometimes art size must be adjusted for whole image to fit on item. Use CUSTOMIZE. tools with item to: Enlarge, reduce size of art Change placement of art and text Over 60 background colors can be chosen [shades of yellows, blues, greens, grays and more]. NOTE: Sometimes art size must be adjusted for whole image to fit on item. Use CUSTOMIZE. tools with item to: Enlarge, reduce size of art Change placement of art and text Over 60 background colors can be chosen [shades of yellows, blues, greens, grays and more]. Purchase this Puzzle View All Puzzles Thanks for your support!
Worth Living For
As long as there must be war, I ask and I must answer: Was I worth dying for? — Eleanor Roosevelt ThoughtCo says the human body is 65% oxygen, 18% carbon, 10% hydrogen and 3% nitrogen. Along with the calcium, phosphorous, rubidium, aluminum, arsenic, lithium and other elements, a person’s ingredients could be purchased for $1. When bodies are valued this way, George Carlin could believe, “War is rich old men protecting their wealth by sending lower and middle-class young men off to die.” What is war? Margaret Atwood said, “War is what happens when language fails.” Stephen King observed, “Fighting for peace, is like f***ing for chastity.” Bertrand Russell offered, “War does not determine who is right – only who is left.” More thoughts. What causes bloodshed? Leslie De Jong believes, “All war originates within as an internal conflict,” which Wellness Mind says can come from: discontent with what is [or is not] happening in someone’s life Intolerance Inability to forgive Low self esteem So, maybe, if battles inside leaders were settled, all that has to die for us are internal clashes. PsychCentral’s six steps include making time for ourselves and getting out into nature. LifeHack’s 40 ways to peace of mind list being kind, avoiding comparisons, getting enough sleep and frolic. BTW, DataGenetics believes the oxygen in human bodies is worth $9.83, the carbon eighteen cents. The 0.25% of us that is potassium is most valuable, $104. All told, they value a body at $160. What are you worth? Each November, readers are invited to support the effort and resources that produce Succeed and Soar. Keep this project going and growing. Invest Here. Thanks! Purchases of my art also help. Succeed and Soar‘s first Zoom Chat touched on the origins of the universe, why its beginnings from the explosion of a very tiny particle [the Big Bang] doesn’t make sense, Critical Race Theory’s Pittsburgh origin, how thought becomes physical matter and more. A fascinating and fun discussion. My goal is to build community that shares uplifting, enlightening conversations each first Thursday, 7pm Pittsburgh [Eastern US] time. Mark your calendar! This Ivan Doig novel tells of an eleven-year-old orphan who sets off for adventure instead of an orphanage. I was charmed by this story and felt hugged by the book.Charming, wise, and slyly funny, Last Bus to Wisdom is a last sweet gift from a writer whose books have bestowed untold pleasure on countless readers Book Browse Let’s discuss during December’s Succeed and Soar chat. Chicago Tribute Review Eleanor’s Wisdoms Succeed and Soar’s “Eleanor’s Insights” series is illustrated with photographs of ‘wild places.’ Art is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. Shop Here