Probably there is no such a person who has never thought over how to plan writing a book. Creation of own fantastic world with fictional characters that perform the actions forbidden in the reality – this is the main aim of any novelist. Nevertheless, all novice authors always ask themselves where to start, how to transfer the entire creativeness of their ideas on the sheets of paper, how to structure the chaotic thoughts into a coherent novel that will capture the reader’s attention from the first page. Planning a book helps to avoid the vast majority of typical writer’s mistakes that occur while developing a plot. Moreover, it serves as a great tool in preventing different mishaps with characters. For the reason of that, before starting a work each professional writer should thoroughly inspect the main rules of how to plan writing a book.
The Importance of Planning
Every author either experienced or inexperienced one should be aware of the planning significance. Undoubtedly, in order to develop a real masterpiece, it is essential to go through a durable planning process due to a number of the following reasons. First of all, the human’s memory is an unreliable source and in most cases of disorganized writing, all interesting and creative details are lost during the bookwork. Secondly, it is important not to get lost in the causal relations of the story. Last and most important, the book should be performed in a form which would be understandable for readers; it could not be a simple flight of ideas.
Planning Stages
The process of planning a book is a complex one and requires the implementation of different steps whose number varies. One of the possible classifications distinguishes between the following four: organization, making master lists, ability to write anywhere, and brainstorming ideas.
- Organizational aspect consists of making and labeling the file folders. This process could be performed both on the computer and manually and should include at least one folder for such categories as goals and deadlines, characters, maps and settings, scenes, and research. Then all the files should be appropriately organized within the filing cabinets by alphabetical arrangement and division into sub-categories. After that, it is important to ensure that all the necessary materials including other books or dictionaries are located conveniently and do not require much effort to find them.
- Making master lists could serve as a great tool in defining whether the novel makes sense. This technique presumes writing numbers from 1 to 30 so that by number 1 will be described the opening scene while by number 30 a closing one. By the remained numbers will be described all the intermediate scenes of the future novel.
- Ability to write anywhere presumes the creation of a special kit that will contain all the necessary writing instruments such as notebook, dictionary, tape recorder, stationery, and a small calendar. Such a kit will be extremely useful not only for writers who lead an active lifestyle but also for those who leave the house less frequently, as the inspiration can find a person anywhere.
- Brainstorming should be used to provide the future book with innovative and creative ideas. In this process writer can involve his/her friends or colleagues, as their ideas could bring some freshness into the novel. Still, the main focus of the brainstorming should be directed to those parts of a story that lack some interesting and breathtaking moments.