During one of the Singapore Writers Festivals, bestselling author Alexander McCall Smith said that we each have a novel inside of us waiting to come out. When people find out I’ve published two and written three, they ask, “How did you do it?”
My answer? Just write. Type the first word, and then the next, and then the next. Repeat this process until you reach 50,000 on your word count.
But as simple as it sounds in theory, it isn’t so in practice. For some of us, it can take a lifetime. Wrapping your head around the idea of authoring a 50,000-word novel from scratch can seem daunting. Thoughts like, “Can I really do this? Am I crazy? Who’s going to want to read it? Will it ever get published?” will swim through your head, arms frantically flailing like that of a drowning man. When allowed to flail often enough, I guarantee you that your dreams of calling yourself a novelist one day may remain just that — a dream.
When I penned my first novel, it took me four months. I was a full-time editor for a monthly teenage magazine, and carving out the time to do the book was a major challenge. In between cover shoots and editing articles about first crushes and first periods, I was piecing together my manuscript. It wasn’t easy, and my editor (who is now one of my best friends) bribed me with bottles of wine to hasten my writing.
Five years later, I was able to churn out the first draft of my second novel in 30 days. My secret? Chris Baty’s book, No Plot? No Problem! A Low-Stress, High-Velocity Guide to Writing a Novel in 30 Days. His techniques really work, so well in fact, that I lent my book to a friend who wanted to write a novel too. He still hasn’t returned it, but I am happy to say that the lessons I’ve learned from Mr Baty have stuck.
If you desire to write a novel, take time to try these tips, most of which were inspired by Baty, and tweaked with a littler personal flavor from yours truly. These worked for me and can work for you. Happy novelling!
Step 1: Write a contract, sign it, and tack it on your wall
Baty’s book has a template for a written contract to self, which you just photocopy and sign. Create one of your own, print it out, then hang it where you’ll see it everyday — like next to your dresser mirror or on the door.
Step 2: Designate a word count quota for each day
A novel is literally an epic goal.But just like all big dreams, it can be broken down. To quote Lao Tzu, the journey of a hundred miles begins with one step. Are you ready to start your adventure into novel country? Baty did the math: a typical novel consists of 50,000 words. If you give yourself a month, divide this number by 30 and you will get 1,667 — that is your word count for a day every day for a month.
Baty created a convenient chart that added up 1,667 by the day, so all you have to do to see if you’re on track is to do a word count and match it to his. If you skip, the rule is simple: make up for all the past days in one go. Once, I skipped a week, and I made up for it on the weekend, and typed 15,000 words in one day. For additional accountability, I typed my word count on my Facebook status — my family and friends cheered me on to get it done!
Step 3: Write, don’t edit…
Baty recommends you send your internal editor packing for that one month. Why? An editor will want to hone sentences to perfection, and if you do this while writing you will never get it done. I should know — I edit it for a living. When you write and edit simultaneously, it’s like a driver and a backseat driver arguing about where to go. When that happens you will go nowhere. So send him/her away, then let your creative juices flow. Drive towards where the story takes you, and this can be anywhere really because there are no rules: it’s just you, your imagination and possibly the people arguing in the next table (eavesdropping is an amazing source of dialogue content!).
Some call this process verbal diarrhea, but just do it. Keep writing, even if you feel you’re talking nonsense. You will realize that before eloquence can rear its brilliant head, you may have to get the junk and glib thoughts out of the way.
Step 4: Create a ritual for writing
This is psychology, really. When you do something as part of a routine, you train your brain to get into writer’s mode once you perform the said ritual. Some ideas: Pick a time of day that’s dedicated purely to writing. Dr Wayne Dyer is known to get up every morning at 3 or 4am to write, when all is quiet. For me, I enjoy going to my favorite coffee shop on a Saturday or Sunday morning, where I type while drinking unlimited cups of coffee.
Prep a cup of coffee, tea or a glass of wine and place it on your desk before you start writing. Wear a hat (mine was a grey fedora I bought in Harajuku) or a scarf to tell yourself you are in novel-writing mode. Pick one thing and just do it.
Step 5: Put together a writing playlist
My fave albums were by David Gray (White Ladder) and Frou Frou. Each time I played them, I typed away like a maniac. For a rather emotional scene when the main character grappled with emotional issues about her dad, I was listening to a Kate Nash song, which fuelled me to write several pages of copy without stopping. Go figure, but music works!
Step 6: Get a witness to be your partner in crime
His/her role is to check in on you. “How’s the novel? Did you clock in your 1,667 words today? Why not?” Before the 30 days, you must prep said partner in crime to be persistent with you.
Step 7: Can’t think of anything to write?
Baty recommends tactics that bulk up your word count quickly — such as song lyrics (a favorite) and dream sequences (I actually used this in the book). Another tip, which I do not recommend if you have a problem with alcohol dependence, is to pour yourself a glass of wine. It truly loosens the grip of your inhibitions. I typed a rather amorous scene in less than an hour, clocking in a record 2,000 words with no effort at all. My good friend and fellow author, Noelle de Jesus, paid me the best compliment when she described the scene as very involving.
Step 8: Find yourself a favorite spot…
Whether it’s in your own house or a coffee shop by the river, go there. People may argue about a place providing inspiration, but a happy place works for a lot of writers. When the coffee is good, the Wi-Fi is free, the waitstaff know your name and save you your favorite table away, writing your novel becomes a joy.
Step 9: See the end in mind…
When stumped or lazy, take a moment to mock up a fake cover of your finished book. This tactic I attribute to Dr Wayne Dyer, who keeps a “fake” cover of his finished book on his desk while he is in the writing process. Look at it, and claim that your work is done. Then get back to your keyboard, and just keep on tapping away.
Maya Calica - Maya Calica
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