My new novel begins life
I have too many projects on the go at the moment, so I’ve decided it’s time to start my new novel. Well, I wouldn’t start an old novel, so I guess a new one means I’m using one word too many already, thinking of those 300 pages to fill.
First to the practicalities. The subject; more commonly known as ‘what’s the story about?’ When I have that paragraph nailed down to as close to ideal as I can get it, I’ll have the blurb for the back of the book already written, because there are several ways one chooses which book to read.
One: you look at the front cover. It has to be so good that you’re prepared to turn to the back cover. It’s always easier if the front cover says ‘from the writer of’ and hope you’ve heard of it.
Two: you gaze at the back cover and read the blurb. The short paragraph that’s supposed to make you want to go and buy the book immediately. Perhaps you don’t buy it there and then because you know it might be cheaper online.
Three; you do what half the world does these days; you go to somewhere online, like Amazon and you go look ‘inside the book’ to read the first few pages before deciding to order. If you like what you see then you either have it sent to your Kindle in milliseconds or you order the actual book (yes, people still do read books and like to hold the actual pages.) Most online companies can get the book to you next day, but if you don’t mind waiting, it’ll be with you in 3-4 days more, quite possibly with free delivery unless you live in the Caribbean, where postage will cost you more than the book itself. It saves you going back to the superstore to pick up the novel for a few cents more, but then it’ll cost you a few dollars extra as you pick up some more groceries you don’t really need. I digress.
It’s time to plan.
