HOW I WROTE MY FIRST NOVEL
by Yolanda A. Reid
At age 19, I told my English professor that I was writing a novel. I'd written the first chapter. How interesting! How
wonderful! She wanted to know if the novel was about me. I told her that the main character was like me-a college
student, at the time--and that her name was Yasmine. But she was NOT me. I was adamant: I wanted to write outside
myself.
"Most first novels," she said, "are autobiographical."
I never finished that novel. I estimate that I began 3 or 4 more novels. I wrote lots of notes. None got beyond the third
chapter. (Since then, I've written 2 complete novels.)
All the while, I wrote dozens of short stories. Some of these stories formed an inter-connected series, based on my
grandfather's tales.
Over the years, I wrote in my journal, describing the novels I wanted to write. A few months before I began my first
novel, I wrote the following words--which are, I think, the essence of my novel's grandfather-character:
"I could have the old man tell a tale when he speaks of love.
Bk II is a combination tale, history (impersonal and personal).
He reminisces on his youth, . . . on his beloved's death. On Love.
On the world. Through time. . . ."
Then, in the spring, I sat down and wrote a one-page outline for my novel. I wrote each chapter fairly swiftly.
After about 6 months, I began to revise. The first version was written in longhand. The second, on a typewriter. Then, a
couple more versions on the computer. (See resource links below.)
As I wrote and re-wrote, I wept. No one had told me how emotional I might get while writing a first novel. So I set the
book aside. After a few months, I returned to the manuscript with the idea of incorporating some of the stories into the
novel. And voila! I had written my first novel.
So, if you're a writer contemplating the writing of your first novel, here are a few suggestions:
--Be prepared to cry. When you do, take a break from writing--either a couple of days or a couple of weeks. You decide.
You might try skipping the section that makes you cry. You can get back to it once the first draft is complete. Just know
that your own reaction to the writing is a sign you're onto something authentic and life-altering.
--Ask a friend to be your novel-buddy if you anticipate a strong emotional reaction to your own writings. As you write--if
you begin to experience the emotional reaction--call that friend. Go out to dinner with family. Do something that's fun for
a change. Why not take up a hobby that is not writing-related? Like knitting or learning Spanish. Find lots of links for
hobbies at http://www.searchingforhobbies.com.
--Create a novel journal. In this journal, write down ideas about the novel and its characters. Your vision of what you
want the book to be. Be very specific. You could create a virtual journal on your computer disk/hard drive. Or you might
try blogging. (A blog is an on-line journal.)
There are web sites that give free blog space, such as http://www.crimsonblog.com and http://www.mindsay.com.
--If you're not a member of a writers' orgaanization/group/workshop, join one. The sense of camaraderie is so helpful.
It's very isolating to write a novel alone, as I did--with no writers' group or class for support. I've since joined a writers'
organization, which provides a feeling of help and support as we attain our dream. Find writers' organizations
at http://www.writerswrite.com .
--Of course, read writers' magazines/e-zines for technical tips on writing. But you should also choose a favorite author to
read and re-read exclusively as you write your novel. Realize that the author's writings will influence yours--so he/she
should be great. Some writers choose not to read other writers while writing a book. Some novelists--like Barbara
Kingsolver--choose to read a favorite author. Think of this book or author as a literary comforter; mine is "Wuthering
Heights" by Emily Bronte.
Find your favorite author's work at http://www.sunsite.berkeley.edu/Libweb and http://www.literature.org/authors.
--On revising: Ideally, it ends when you begin your next book. In the meantime, have someone else read your manuscript.
In my case, no one but editors have read the entire manuscript. Several of my family members and a writer-friend have
read chapters/chapter. But if you're not ready for your cousin to read your novel, work on an article, begin
another book or just take a break and re-discover the world.
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Web sites of interest to novelists-in-the-making:
http://www.author-network.com/saevig1.html
http://www.Suite101.com/welcome.cfm/novel_writing
http://www.writepage.com/excerpts/exmchtw.html
http://www.writeyournovelnow.com
http://www.kingsolver.com
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Yolanda A. Reid's poetry and short fiction have appeared in literary journals/e-zines, such as womenwriters.net, and
others. Porridge and Cucu: My Childhood--her first novel--is now being considered by a publisher. To read a novel
excerpt, please visit her web site at http://www.oocities.org/yareid2003/index.html.
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2004 Copyright by Y.A. Reid
For permission to re-print or publish this article, please contact the author at yareid2003@yahoo.com.