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How to Write Your Novel

How to Write Your Novel

Currently in its second printing

by: Margaret Chittenden

ISBN (paperback): 0871161788

Published: 1995

* * Now in its Second Printing!* *

"Margaret Chittenden has produced the definitive resource for writers--an indispensible reference book."

-- Stella Cameron

Part I: PREPARATION

Introduction:
Get ready. Think positive. Believe in yourself.
Chapter One: PERSPIRATION & INSPIRATION
How to get ideas and what to do with them.
Chapter Two: THINKING IT THROUGH
WHAT kind of novel is this? WHERE is it set?
Chapter Three: PLOT AND CHARACTER
WHO is in this novel. WHY do they do what they do? WHEN are they doing it?
Chapter Four: THE SYNOPSIS
Two ways to write a synopsis. What to put in. What to leave out.
Chapter Five: THE WHY & WHO OF POINT OF VIEW
An examination of the viewpoints used in today's novels
Chapter Six: WRITING WITH YOUR OWN VOICE
How to develop your own methods, your own voice, your own style

Part II: THE WRITING

Chapter Seven: GETTING OFF TO A GOOD START
Writing the rough draft. All the way through, or chapter by chapter?
Chapter Eight: TRANSITIONS AND FLASHBACKS
Writing various types of transitions. How to write flashback scenes. Using all your senses.
Chapter Nine: PRESENTING YOUR CHARACTERS
Get inside your characters, make them walk off the page and into your reader's mind and heart.
Chapter Ten: KNOWING WHEN TO STOP
The end. Make the ending believable, satisfying, unpredictable.
Chapter Eleven: THE PLEASURE OF REVISION
What to look at. What to look for. Plus a page of checkpoints.
Chapter Twelve: MARKETING YOUR NOVEL
Preparing your manuscript for marketing. Agents and editors.

Reviews:

I wanted to let you know how excited I am over the possibilities _How to Write Your Novel_ has shown me and how much I appreciate the encouragement that's woven into every chapter, every piece of advice. The techniques are straight forward and, obviously, well-proven but it's the friendly nudge and the mentoring guidance that makes it so special.
Caroline Dunsheath, a reader
"HOW TO WRITE YOUR NOVEL by Meg Chittenden is one of the best writers' guides I've ever read. Filled with optimism, positive reinforcement and good, useable writer's advice, this book has much for the wannabe author or the seasoned professional. Chittenden offers her readers a pep squad of rousing rah-rahs, cheering the laggard writer onward. Anyone who's read her romances, mysteries or other books will find this one especially appealing for the glimpse behind the scenes of a professional writer at work. A "must have" addition to any writer's library, or for any Chittenden fan wanting to know more about the fascinating underpinnings of this multi-talented author's output."
Geraldine Galentree, Manager of The Mystery Book Store in Dallas, TX
"What an inspiration!" is an understatement for the impact you have had on me. Your simple words of wisdom have helped me to sort through the confusing advice about writers' 'musts' that have been clutering up my mental workspace for quite some time. I threw the majority of the mess out because when I read How to Write YOUR Novel, I realized that all the do's and don'ts were inhibiting me from telling my stories the way I wanted to tell them.. What I found in place of the clutter was a doorway to my writing. Thank you.
Kathleen Koehmstedt, a reader
Written in Chittenden's characteristically charming and witty style, How to Write YOUR Novel is informative and entertaining at the same time. You almost feel that Chittenden herself is right there behind you encouraging you to get those thoughts down on paper. A must-have for novice writers. (The Internet Writing Journal)
Claire E. White, Editor in Chief, The Internet Writing Journal(TM)