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    How to Write a Novel
    How to Write a Novel
    How to Write a Novel
    Ebook56 pages49 minutes

    How to Write a Novel

    By T. Hew Riter

    ()

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    About this ebook

    As an author of more than twenty books, I am often asked, “How do you write a book? Or more specifically, how do you write a novel?”

    This is an interesting question, but not one that can be easily answered. The obvious, and common response is to “Just start writing.” And, of course, “Write about what you know.”

    But, I suspect the question is as much about the mechanics of writing as it is about the philosophy. When I write non-fiction, I absolutely write about what I know and where I am a recognized expert on that subject matter.

    However, fiction is a different matter entirely. Since fiction, by definition, is ‘made up’, how can you possibly write with knowledge about it? The simple answer is that you cannot. But, do not lose hope. With fiction, you define the world that your characters operate in and what rules govern their actions, so in that respect, you are the ultimate expert.

    Some schools of thought require that the writer develop a full outline, character profiles, and relationship matrix before writing a single sentence.

    I use a different approach.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherT. Hew Riter
    Release dateJun 5, 2017
    ISBN9781370403929
    How to Write a Novel
    Author

    T. Hew Riter

    Riter has written novels and stories for thirty years. Having served in Viet Nam as a Translator/Interpreter, He quickly adapts to new cultures and sees a story or an adventure everywhere. He has ‘dabbled’ in witchcraft, though he is not a witch. All of his novels and stories have interconnecting threads that link them into a larger universe, spanning space and time. Some of the links are obvious, while others are very subtle. Some of the events in the stories are based on real life, while others are pure fiction. The distinction between fact and fiction is up to the reader. Growing up on farms in Kansas and Missouri, he has a wealth of knowledge relating to self-sufficiency. His time in Viet Nam taught him many survival skills that are combat-proven. He sees the world as it is, not through the rose-colored glasses provided by politicians and the media.

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      Book preview

      How to Write a Novel - T. Hew Riter

      How to Write a Novel

      T. Hew Riter

      Smashwords Edition

      Copyright © 2017

      ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

      This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite eBook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      Cover design by bobooks

      ISBN: 978-1370403929

      Contents

      Introduction

      Getting Started – Which Viewpoint?

      Getting Started - Ideas, Concepts, and Genres

      Getting Started – Essentials

      Main Characters

      Situations

      Protagonists and Antagonists

      Getting Ideas

      Abuse Your Hero

      Build Empathy and Antipathy

      Select Your Tools

      The Mechanics

      Start Writing

      Really Just Start Writing

      Start with a Bang

      Do Not Worry About Syntax or Grammar

      Do Not Obsess Over Structure and Order

      Sometimes, Your Story is Just Horrible

      End With a Bang

      Getting Published

      Introduction

      As an author of more than twenty books, I am often asked, How do you write a book? Or more specifically, how do you write a novel?

      This is an interesting question, but not one that can be easily answered. The obvious, and common response is to Just start writing. And, of course, Write about what you know.

      But, I suspect the question is as much about the mechanics of writing as it is about the philosophy. When I write non-fiction, I absolutely write about what I know and where I am a recognized expert on that subject matter.

      However, fiction is a different matter entirely. Since fiction, by definition, is ‘made up’, how can you possibly write with knowledge about it? The simple answer is that you cannot. But, do not lose hope. With fiction, you define the world that your characters operate in and what rules govern their actions, so in that respect, you are the ultimate expert.

      Some schools of thought require that the writer develop a full outline, character profiles, and relationship matrix before writing a single sentence. What’s the fun in that? That sounds like a lot of work. In real life, when you meet someone, you do not have that information, you may know nothing about an individual, and you certainly do not know where the relationship will end up. Why should you require more of your characters and story than what real life offers?

      As for outlining before starting; I only do this with non-fiction, professional works. When it comes to fiction, my preliminary outline consists of only three components:

      The Beginning

      Something Happens

      The End

      The ‘Something Happens’ section typically grows incrementally as I progress through the story. Again, I will write chapter headings in my manuscript in the order I expect the events to unfold. But, they are merely suggestions that help me focus on where I think the story should go. Sometimes, I may define a few chapter headers following the current chapter I am working on, to reduce the possibility of writer’s block.

      In my fiction works, I never know what is going

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