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The Easy Way to Write a Novel robparnell
Page 1 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.easywaytowrite.com
The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less
Author's Note…………………………………….……………..Page 4
PART ONE – The Write Way to Think
Introduction: Chapter One: Chapter Two: Chapter Three: Chapter Four: Chapter Five: Chapter Six: Interlude:
Don't Skip the Prologue!..………..……..Page 7 It's All In The Mind………….………...Page 16 The Secret to Being Creative………..…Page 33 Exploding Myths……………….………Page 49 A Case of Definition…………..……….Page 63 Defeating the Enemy…………………...Page 85 Why Writers Fail.……….……………...Page 100 ………………………………………….Page 111
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The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less
PART TWO – The Easy Way to Write The 30 Day Formula
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Characters, Characters, Characters…………….Page 114 Interactions………………………….………….Page.121 Free Association…………………….………….Page 125 Draft a Plot………………………….………….Page 128 Defining Your Goals…………………………...Page 134 The Six Killer Rules for Creating Fiction….….Page 140 Designing a Template………………………….Page 141 Get Them On Your S.I.D.E.……………….….Page 146 Writing Q.E.D...………………………………Page 150 The 10 Deadly Sins…………………………...Page 156 F.A.S.T. editing…………………………….…Page 113 And Finally……………………………………Page 170
FURTHER READING………………………………………..Page 195
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com . graphic. The Easy Way to Write is copyright 2002-2003 robparnell PO Box 41 Belair SA5052 Email: rob@easywaytowrite. All rights reserved. No warranty as to the efficacy and appropriateness of the advice and techniques mentioned or alluded to should be inferred. electronic or mechanical without express written permission.easywaytowrite. Legal Disclaimer: The contents of this book represent the views of the author. © robparnell. by the use of the information herein presented. directly or indirectly.com * Page 4 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. The author hereby disclaims any personal or professional loss or liability caused or alleged to be caused. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel in 30 days or Less.
This may sound glib and obvious but it is not. carefully and mindfully. That's because you're probably eager to get on and write your novel in less than a month. you will know the best way to think.com . You see. if you don't first read Part One. But there's a catch. Therefore. That's understandable. You may be tempted to skip ahead to the techniques outlined in Part Two.even if you've written novels before. my sincere advice is do not skip ahead! Page 5 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. the best mindset to acquire.easywaytowrite. but there's something important you must learn first.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less AUTHOR'S NOTE This book is written in two distinct parts – for a very good reason. If you read all that is said. then Part Two won't work for you. before you even start .before you put one word on paper. In order to write quickly and well you need to be in the right state of mind. Part One is about reprogramming your thinking. At least it won't work as well as it should . It is imperative that you read them in the right order. Writing a novel can be easy. especially if you're a professional.
The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less By reading Part One first. Chances are. Part Two will be all the more powerful and helpful to you. and don't start writing either – not until you've reached the end of the book! Don't worry. Oh. If you've tried writing novels before. So. keep reading. especially when you reach the midway point of your novel. you may have spent several months thinking about writing a novel anyway. What difference will a few days make? Sit back. you can't afford to do that. * Page 6 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.easywaytowrite. If you're serious about being a writer. you'll know when I mean: the point at which most writers stop or give up.com . there's plenty of time. take it easy and read on. for the moment.
All down on paper within 30 days or less. I believe you'll be asking some questions at this point. Usually the introduction. Say between 80. straightforward steps.000 and 120.000 words. before we get started. like the prologue of a novel. I'm going to try and answer a few of them now.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less INTRODUCTION Don't Skip the Prologue! There are certain folks out there who never read the introduction to a book.easywaytowrite.com . the easiest and quickest way to write an outstanding piece of novel length fiction. I've never understood why. or the first five minutes of a TV show contains the most crucial information necessary to make sense of the rest of the book or show. doesn't it? I bet you're thinking things like: Page 7 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. I'm going to show you in simple. What Can I Expect From This Book? Simply put. Sounds like a daunting prospect. So it is in this case.
The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less That's not possible. Australia and the US and in my time have even done a bit of movie acting and sold a few music CDs. Why Should I Trust You? Okay. Completely. It is largely this. plays. so I don't have too many jazzy credits to impress you with.easywaytowrite.robparnell. as well as my own experience and that of other leading figures in the industry that I have drawn on to put together this book. For a full biography. I've been published in the UK. visit www. How Can Writing a Novel Be Easy? Let me explain. I've worked with hundreds of amateur and professional writers of all types and temperaments. I've been involved with writers and writers groups for over 20 years. although I have been writing novels. This has given me valuable knowledge. is it? How will I have the time? Will I have the dedication? Surely .com More importantly.com . short stories. Page 8 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.I don't have the talent! I want you to banish these doubts from your mind. Trust me. screenplays and articles for most of my adult life.
poring over pieces of paper. you can go on to write your own novel quickly and easily. A large part of this book is about undoing common misconceptions – so that properly "reprogrammed". So that. not only will you write your novel quickly and easily. * Page 9 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Banish it from your mind. We all have this picture of a lone writer. it gives much of the common wisdom available regarding rules. there's been a tacit understanding between all of us that somehow writing is hard work. tips and techniques of great fiction writing. This is an enduring image – but it is also a negative one. like a lot of the myths about writing.com .The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Since the beginning of the written word. I believe this book is also a first. Why? Because. if you follow these simple "rules" it will most likely be a good. brow furrowed and deep in contemplation. having the wrong mental images can actually hinder the writing process for you. quill pen scratching away. competent and ultimately sellable novel. hunched over a desk.easywaytowrite. Not only does it mentally prepare you for the "Great Task" of writing a novel.
bear in mind that if you do take on board at least some of the suggestions I make. that's true. Writers are a stubborn species. Don't They? Sadly. It can take years for a simple truth to dawn on a writer and for him or her to change their ways. I promise that you will find writing your novel – or your next novel if it's not your first – one whole lot easier. Page 10 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. even if it never gets them what they want. In part. it is an extension of new-age psychology and our 21st Century understanding of how the mind works. This book is for writers who want to learn how to feel like a professional from day one – and perform accordingly. I know. But Even Some Professionals Take a Year or Two to Write a Novel. It's got nothing to do with talent. and this book is as much for them too.com . You may disagree with certain points. Some of the things you will read soon may seem radical. Much of the wisdom in this book is new. skill or dedication.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less So How Does it Work? There is an easier way to write. It's to do with attitude. it's happened to me. Guaranteed. They would rather stick with their own way of doing things.easywaytowrite. However. This book is for those who want to bypass all the common mistakes that other writers make and move in to the fast lane as soon as possible.
easywaytowrite. we had questions. writing is about trying to make sense of our relationship with the profound mysteries of life.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less A Short History Lesson Long ago. The forerunner of the system we now use in the West appeared spontaneously around five thousand years ago in the Mesopotamian basin. They recorded their insights and information so that they could pass them on to subsequent Page 11 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. what does He want from us? These were the questions our ancestors tried to answer (and we're still trying to answer today). Ancient scribes chiseled away at stones to record business transactions in Sumerian script – a series of dashes and grooves. You see." The Egyptians used complex hieroglyphics to honor their dead and glorify their kings. writing was uncommon. from the beginning writing has been associated with gods and mystery and at least some form of storytelling. This is because.com . Yahweh – originally written as YHWH and meaning literally: "the name that cannot be spoken. at its heart. Later a more pictographic form of the language took hold and was used to tell the legends of Gilgamesh and Enlil – heroic tales of gods. As soon as we crawled out of the primordial swamp and gained consciousness. adventure and mystery . Why are we here? Is there a God? And if there is.probably the first novel length fiction in the world! The dislocated Jews of the Old Testament then began to record their oral traditions –stories that emphasized their relationship with their God. in what is now Iraq.
It probably wasn't much different when the Industrial Revolution happened and suddenly education became available to all. things are different now. Page 12 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. crush empires. But for centuries. was possessed by only the few. books have been passed through the ages. we just see the headline and get the sense of it. in former days. How it can inspire worship. writing was laborious.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less generations. Today. build nations. the skill of writing. those that could afford it sent their children to monasteries where they were taught to read and write. we all learn to read and write as a matter of course. When we see a headline in the newspaper we don't process the fact that we're reading. We sometimes forget the awesome power of the written word. In this way. Monks would spend their lives copying out religious texts. sometimes adding or deleting passages for reasons lost.com . and destroy hope. We understand the magic of words so completely that we take them for granted. That makes us lucky. In this sense.easywaytowrite. the apparent exchange of information via simple marks and symbols must have seemed nothing short of magical. privileged even. spark wars. We see the picture that the words represent. Yes. writing has always been an act of benevolence. perhaps even tedious. Thankfully. To the uneducated. During the Middle Ages. Our modern minds have a different relationship with the written word. and reading for that matter. one word at a time.
It's seen as a right too. * Page 13 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. good and bad.com . In effect. this book is essentially a synthesis of the newest and most effective techniques known on the subject of fiction writing. to make us laugh or cry. It's seen as a tool for communication – unglamorous and functional. It is no longer seen as mysterious. As well as being a compilation of over two decades of personal experience. New technologies like the Internet have enabled us to transfer information in a way that was impossible even a couple of decades ago. Whether it's a philosophical or scientific idea. Everything around us. starts with writing. something we all must have to make our way in the world. or perhaps a business plan or a movie script – everything starts with writing.easywaytowrite. all the technology that makes our lives richer. This has meant that a new understanding of many things – including something as mundane as writing – has been able to emerge. That's how we make things real. everything man-made is caused by the act of taking words out of our heads and putting them onto paper. Nowadays. I believe it is probably the first of many books that will outline these techniques in detail. our attitude towards the written word is different from our forebears.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less How it can offer us salvation or despair as easily as it can be used to give us entertainment.
robparnell Email: email@example.com Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Okay. it's where the greatest satisfaction lies.com Page 14 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Because. that's where the money is. They wish they'd "got the hang" of writing novels sooner in their careers. I did this! Now – it's your turn. to be blunt.com . There is no better feeling than holding a finished book in your hands and thinking. Also – from a creative point of view. What Now? Talk to any successful novelist and they will invariably say the same thing.easywaytowrite.
easywaytowrite.com .The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less PART ONE The Write Way To Think Page 15 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.
they'd forgotten they'd read. or even if not. the mind actually remembers everything it experiences.easywaytowrite. people can relate the contents of an entire book in rich detail that. experiencing the moment. If you think about it. Eat. All you have to do it access them. The conscious mind is always active. helping us to cope with daily life. play games. in a waking state. at some deep level. You already possess the talent and the necessary skills. Page 16 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.com . that's incredible. It takes in far more than most of us realize. Psychologists say that.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less CHAPTER ONE It's All in The Mind If you are reasonably well educated. everything you need to write an enduring novel-length piece of fiction is inside of you. How can you do that? Read on. We use the conscious while we're awake to do the things we have to do. etc etc. work. trying to solve problems. communicate. The brain is a complex machine. It's a miracle in action. It's fairly well accepted nowadays that the brain is split into two levels: the conscious and the subconscious. Under hypnosis.
In fact. Once the technique is embedded into the subconscious. physical symptoms like tiredness and muscle pain can develop.com .easywaytowrite. It is a vast storehouse of memory. the subconscious takes over because the conscious mind could not process the information quickly enough for us to keep up. worry and later. playing an instrument or performing a routine task are housed in the subconscious. Again. experience and capabilities.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less It has a flaw though. When we access those activities. Anyone who has learnt to drive or play an instrument – and remembers how hard it was at first – will be familiar with this phenomenon. Techniques like driving a car. Similarly. the subconscious can be taught how to write novels. It hardly impinges on our waking lives because the human brain simply could not stand the overload of information it carries. Most of all we know. it Page 17 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. The most common way this manifests itself is via stress. quickly and easily. The subconscious is different. The conscious mind can only focus on one or two things at a time. it will stay there – ready for you to access it at any time. the conscious mind is overridden so that we seem to be able to perform on "auto-pilot". More than that and it starts to complain. feel or have experienced is kept shielded from us – until our conscious mind needs to access it. Once you have learnt how this works – which the rest of the book will show you – you will be able to write well.
what we're capable of and what we're not. The Commentator is constantly telling us what we should and shouldn't do. as I will prove to you. This would be fine if the Commentator was wise and caring and always looking after our best interests. but rather make us feel inadequate and inferior.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less may not seem like real writing at all . it's actually not very objective at all. The Commentator is like one of these brainless DJs that doesn't like silence. It's forever Page 18 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Consequently.easywaytowrite. it's not. Each of us is subject to an endless internal monologue. It's usually a mess of conflicting opinions and prejudices that do nothing much to help us. it needs a failsafe. and even what we should think.com . It prattles on whether you want it to or not. and you're half way there. Because the conscious mind is not very good at dealing with things. Sadly. consciousness creates an objective observer of itself to comment and guide us through life. Accept this simple fact.because it will be the subconscious that will be writing for you. The Journey begins There's another complication. The word "objective" is in italics because. Let's call it The Commentator.
The problem is that the Commentator isn't always the good friend you might suppose. It's always on the look out for anything that might reinforce your worldview – however negative that might be. But of course. Page 19 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. trying to make sense of the facts and events as it sees them. Of course it is. to make things seem impossible. It's cunning and smart.easywaytowrite. Quite why the Commentator does this for most of us is a mystery.and have fun doing them. reinforcing what you already believe. The Commentator is clever enough to screen out any information to the contrary so effectively that you may not even see it. You want to do things. if you believe you are not capable of writing a novel and that it should be left to Stephen King and Patricia Cornwell because they have talent and you don't. I assume it's trying to get back to a state of blissful inertia where it can relax and do nothing – back to the womb perhaps. no time. or lack the motivation. the Commentator is only too glad to agree with you. The Commentator's main function is to stop you from doing anything. but doesn't like change. There is hope. and to prove that most activities are not worthwhile. It will come up with all sorts of reasons why you have no talent. achieve things – big things . If you believe something – however false – the Commentator will do anything its power to find evidence for the truth of it. that's not what you want. For instance.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less analyzing incoming data.com . It tries constantly to put things into context for you.
prejudiced or loaded with inappropriate baggage. You don't want it bitter. Therefore. The expert thinking is that. if you don't really believe that you will write a novel. but the effort is worth it. or at least try to have a point of view that is more rational and considered like. Because. your Commentator isn't going to let you finish it. You have to consciously be aware of your Commentator and continuously redirect it into telling you positive things. Getting the Commentator straight is vitally important for your writing for another good reason. I'll let you know the trick. It's the same voice that will write your novel.com . mature and insightful.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less There are a lot of books around these days that can help you change the way the Commentator speaks to you. I recommend that you read some if you haven't already.easywaytowrite. It's hard – and you'll be surprised just how negative your internal voice is. you have to check yourself. Page 20 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. the sad truth is. you can completely reprogram your mind to believe exactly what you tell it. In the mean time. after about two weeks of this. I list a couple at the back of the book. you need the voice to be healthy. State the opposite position. All people in management positions are incompetent. There are good and bad managers. some of whom are intelligent and thoughtful and others that struggle in their positions. Each time you catch yourself thinking a negative thought like.
The reader trusts your worldview. nurturing your Commentator with good thoughts. you should have an equally strong Christian or Catholic for instance. for instance. And creating and building on that trust is what being a good writer is all about. If. For every passionate atheist. This is one example of authorial intrusion. you will write in plot twists and characterizations that reflect your view. Even though you don't specifically state your case. However. before you start any work on your novel. The only mature way to make a point is to have opposing arguments in your story too. Good Writing I've known enough writers to know that the best writing comes from a clear and balanced mind. this moment . A good novel requires balance. your reader may not agree with that view. Because your plot does not have balance – that is.clearing your head.com . the reader feels your overbearing presence and probably feels lectured to. Let me give you an example. Page 21 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. the opposing view that there is a God – your reader senses your presence whilst reading. you feel strongly that there is no God and that fact is an integral part of your plot. You have balance. Already you have a problem.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less That's why I recommend you spend at least two weeks – from now.easywaytowrite.
From a balanced mind comes wisdom and from wisdom comes certainty – and a sense of certainty will help to banish self-doubt. You need to clear the decks. There will always be a part of you that doubts you can succeed – at anything.if you never stretch yourself. it won't banish it completely. The fact is the Commentator is trying to protect you from harm. That the fear you feel is actually anticipation in another form.com . Try to be as centered as possible.easywaytowrite. that your particular Commentator is not only your responsibility but it is something you put inside your head – a long Page 22 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Of course. suppressing the Commentator is easy . try to see them as good. The rest will follow. This doesn't mean you have to wait until you're totally mentally healthy before you begin but – hey. The trick is to go on regardless. If at the end of a couple of weeks. rejection and disappointment. sure of your abilities and intent. so to speak. you still have a hundred nagging doubts. positive signs that you are about to embark on something exciting. It knows that you don't react well to these things. But remember.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Balance has to start within you. Preparing Yourself Ironically. maybe it's not such a bad idea.
especially if we're not receiving it from external forces! I can vouch that though the technique is simple.often. I know I can. I can't do this. reinforcing its power over you. Perhaps your parents help put it there. You'll find that the rhythmic nature of walking has a profound hypnotic effect on the brain. every time you hear yourself say. I CAN do this.easywaytowrite. No problem. perhaps when you were a child. I don't know why. Worse. It's a very simple technique that some of us – the most successful – probably use without thinking.com . say to yourself at least five times. Phrases like: * I can write a book easily. we need constant reinforcement and encouragement. Practical Advice Go for a walk . Naturally successful people are unconsciously aware that in order for us to be sure of our abilities.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less time ago. Page 23 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. the people around you are still concurring with the Commentator on a daily basis. it really does work. the brain starts to believe it. For instance. Repeat to yourself positive phrases in time with your steps. If you say something to yourself enough times. The subconscious likes repetition. It just does. The only way is to systematically take each doubting phrase and turn it around. raising the intensity of your voice each time.
You'll find that positive affirmations like this lodge in the subconscious mind. I say this because it's probably the biggest handicap writers have to deal with. My dialogue is totally convincing. until you're not even aware of the words. Strange but true: if you think you can overcome a problem.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less * * * * I'm excellent at plotting. so that later. you usually can. I'm a great wordsmith. Soon. Critics. But self-doubt will do it every time. Confidence Try to use these techniques to banish any kind of self-doubt. Say them over and over.easywaytowrite. agents and publishers do not necessarily destroy a writer's career. the subconscious comes to believe them. I can see the whole book in my mind. perhaps when it comes to dealing with a "hard" part in your novel.com . I've seen it happen a hundred. your mind thinks you already have the skills to overcome it. Page 24 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. like a mantra. a thousand times.
The point is. it is not an opportunity for your logical mind to jump in. When I make some of the upcoming statements. It's a subtle form of hypnosis. Consequently. If you are familiar with fiction writing. I'm not asking for your belief. as I said in the introduction. I'm after a momentary suspension of disbelief. if the reader does not suspend their disbelief – especially in more fanciful tales – there is very little chance that the reader will enjoy the experience or get anything out of it. It is the job of the fiction writer to get the reader to let go of their logical mind and go with the flow of the writer. even just temporarily.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less I admit that to those unfamiliar with the above techniques.com . the idea that anything is achievable just because you decide it is might seem naive. and to the cynical.easywaytowrite. I ask that you also to suspend your disbelief for the rest of this book. Page 25 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. the effect on you may be tremendous – especially the effect on your writing. I hope you'll find that by doing so. Here's a secret You can write a brilliant novel if you truly believe you can. you will know that is an accepted feature of the whole game of writing. that taking on board some of the things I will say. disagree and start thinking of counter arguments. However.
Like the definition of talent. Those other writers. Harper Lee is probably the most famous. She got a Pulitzer Prize for "To Kill a Mockingbird". never believing she could do it. important tools you will need to write a great novel in a month. Why? Did she lack the talent? Certainly not. Soon I'll be dealing with lots more of these sorts of issues. I'm not talking about expensive tools either.easywaytowrite. What happened? She never wrote another book. The only reason novelists are writing novels is that experience has taught them they know they can write them. just do it. who doubt their ability. don't. Those who never question their ability to write good novels. dealing with distractions and the fear of ridicule. But for now. Page 26 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. The one-novel writer is a bit of cliché. Other pertinent issues like finding the time to write. I want to talk about some essential. Perhaps she never tried. My guess would be she simply didn't believe she could do any better. It's obvious if you think about it. a masterful piece of semi-autobiographical fiction.com .The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less The process of truly believing may take a little longer than you'd like (at least till the end of this book!) but the above statement is true of all writers. like computers and special software. and whether you have it.
easywaytowrite. This is because your emotions taint the words. So. you can write when you're angry. They also want excitement. Relaxation Being a relaxed person is one of the key elements of being a good writer. Sure. Readers want objectivity from their writers. exhilarated and euphoric. The reader can tell that you were feeling a certain way when you were writing. the sentences and the paragraphs you are writing. as they say. even joyous. because the reader can sense the distorted logic that these emotions bring to a work. you owe it to yourself to get your head together. but that doesn't mean what you produce is any good. That's true of any writing. fiction or otherwise. Usually writing produced in anything more than a relaxed state comes across as naive. Writing that is not coming from a balanced. Page 27 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. And the easiest way I know of doing that is to meditate. thrills and emotion but they won't accept these things from a writer they think is being self-indulgent. bitter.com . resentful. You can write when you're drunk or stoned too. these are free. Or just plain bad. objective.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less No. and you already own them. relaxed mind will always seem self-indulgent. overdone or immature.
whatever. I find it works for me. I don't know why this is.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Meditation For some reason. Twice If You Like It The following is an amalgam of various techniques I've studied. Try This Once. don't get too hung up on it. in polite company nowadays. I know a lot of people aren't comfortable with meditation Page 28 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Better than coffee. meditation is a bit of a dirty word. There's a residual stigma attached to it leftover from the 70s when the only people who meditated were the Beatles and dropped-out hippies who wanted to get in touch with their "higher" selves.com . Try it yourself. with a smidge of self-hypnosis thrown in. get comfortable. Sit down. It's a great thing to do. Tell strangers and they give you a fixed smile – and start to back away. or at least look at you oddly. It costs nothing and it makes you feel better than anything else in the world. Tell your parents and they fear the worst. Tell friends that you meditate and they'll laugh. It's basically a cross between what Zen monks are said to do and a bit of the de Silva technique. or lie down. better than sex.easywaytowrite. better than a walk along the beach. Only takes ten minutes.
Say to yourself. Breathe softly and slowly three times. Meditation will make me feel a lot better. just relax and tell yourself you're going to do yourself some good. Begin a countdown from ten to one. breathing once for each number. think certain phrases like: When I reach zero I will be more relaxed then ever before. or at least sound sincere enough to fool your subconscious.com . Between the numbers. If you're like that. Mean it. which is easily done.easywaytowrite. Ten: Relax totally Nine: My whole body is going numb Eight: Every care and problem is dissolving Seven: I feel centered and calm Six…. slower with each breath. Then repeat it about five times.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less because they feel silly and self-conscious. Close your eyes. Page 29 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.
I've found that it's these moments of silence that really benefit the mind – no matter how short or fleeting they are. A state of Nirvana. It's usually about now you get an itch or you become aware of what you must look like. The rewards are enormous. Silence to yourself. Say. imagine them drifting away like clouds. If they won't go – gently enclose them in an imaginary blanket and softly push them away. Don't worry. Page 30 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.try to push away all of your thoughts. Push it away. This is hard I know.easywaytowrite. At some stage. My experience is that. there is a deep well of joy. on a cloud. Then – and this is the hard part – tell yourself to think nothing. At zero.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less – well. It's apparently what Zen Masters are trying to reach. if it comes at all. whatever . Make up your own phrases – they'll be a lot more powerful than the ones I suggest. the Commentator will always step in and say something inane.com . unconscious of your body. the silence only last for a few seconds if you're lucky. It's no big deal. Keep at it. imagine that you're floating. in space. It's said by gurus that within these moments of silence. a few times. You may need a few sessions before you feel anything like relaxed. Scratch that itch and carry on. you get the idea. Muffle them. While you're floating – on water.
In the middle of the meditative session. Creative Visualization is a well documented. Page 31 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. not least relaxation. This will help you to cope. Fanatics suggest longer and more often but that's not always practical for most of us. Don't beat yourself up if nothing happens.easywaytowrite. even for very short periods. in a different context. can bring enormous benefit in the short and long term. but more relaxed than ever before when you open your eyes. Visualization I shall be returning to this topic later on. tell yourself you have all the time in the world to finish things. Ten minutes a day is usually enough. As you do.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Those guys spend their whole lives trying to achieve it. For the moment I want to talk about it for the purposes of relaxation. It's a particularly useful tool if you have a lot of creative work to do and either don't feel up to it or you are so stressed about it you can't start.com . count yourself back out. The effort of relaxing totally. more alive. Any form of conscious meditation will make you feel better and help you to start work feeling more confident and self-possessed. well researched technique that follows on from meditation. from one to ten. After a few minutes. It can help the mind and body in all kinds of areas. tell yourself you'll feel much better. I recommend you start any creative session this way.
as these can relax your mind and bring peace. Choose a particular place you have pleasant and relaxing memories of.com . it can help you in other ways.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less It's a bit like dreaming while you're awake – or at least trying to. as it teaches you to notice details .definitely something that will help you in your writing. It's not. like breezes and the touch of water. using all the senses. Imaginary landscapes are a favorite.easywaytowrite. But with practice this is not only a beneficial activity. A little time spent on the above activities will help you focus on the important information coming up. and ultimately. The idea is to create images in your mind that benefit you emotionally and physically. Conclusion All this may seem a million miles away from writing your novel. Again. do a similar countdown as with the above meditation sequence and then imagine that you're somewhere else – on a beach for example. Now for a well kept secret… Page 32 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Pretend that you're there. preparation is essential to a profitable outcome. See the colors. feel the elements around you. make writing your novel much easier. this is hard for a beginner. Try to visualize actual objects like pebbles and wooden benches. If you want to try it. As with most important things. Try to experience all the sensations associated with being in another space and time. Imagine the whole thing.
I'm going to be guiding you through the 30 days you will need to write your novel.easywaytowrite. This book is about progress. relax. and take it easy. Believe me. you read it right. Do nothing. I know you probably bought this book because you wanted to get started straightaway. Don't.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less CHAPTER TWO The Secret to Being Creative In the second half of the book. Page 33 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Each chapter is part of a journey you must make with your mind to achieve the ultimate aim – to be the kind of person who can write a novel in thirty days or less. You're not ready. The next step in the process is to take a break. Besides. we need to take what we've learned in the first chapter and take it to the next logical step. For now. Whatever you do – don't start writing your novel! That would be a disaster. you can spend the time reading the rest of this book. Yep. For a few days at least.com . writing the novel is going to be a hell of a lot easier if you do it my way.
This doesn't mean being in peak condition – although that might help. In fact.com . I intimated at the end of the last chapter.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less I know from personal experience and watching a whole lot of writers that the worst thing to do is to launch yourself into writing a novel without being properly prepared. the real reason why novels are said to take so long to write is that each time you take a break from writing. you'll find you won't be able to concentrate for the time that you spend writing. This doesn't mean you have to write continually for 30 days. So. Whenever you catch Page 34 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Far from it. It means being comfortable with your body so that it doesn't act as a distraction. Push the idea of it away. do the opposite. try not to think about your novel for a while. If it does. This can take anything from ten minutes to several weeks each time you do it. This mental preparation is a skill that must be learned. Two or three hours a day should be enough to achieve the task – but only if you're mentally prepared. And one of the best ways to achieve mental health more quickly is to make a conscious effort to be more physically healthy. You see. for the next few days. The trick is to be in this "writing mode" continually for as long as you're writing your novel. And it can be learnt best if you are mentally healthy.easywaytowrite. mentally healthy means mentally relaxed and clear. you have to mentally shift back into "writing mode".
com . before the novelty wears off. exactly when you need it. Less than one in ten. and begin scribbling at various points during the day for. perhaps they're also not worth recording! Page 35 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. And it will be better. yes. it'll all come back when you want it to. Believe that it remembers everything and that. I think the message is that. early on in their career. Then I asked if those with notebooks actually used the ideas they wrote down. stronger and more urgent. About a quarter said they did. At this point. ideas are fleeting – but if they are.banish those thoughts from your mind. Don't worry. or anything small enough to go in the pocket.easywaytowrite. You need to begin to trust your subconscious. On Notebooks – an Aside Most writers. I once did a straw poll to see how many writers I knew had notebooks. if you don't force it. everything you need to remember will come back to you at the right time. novices will rush out an purchase an A6 pad.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less yourself dwelling on certain aspects of it – or any kind of writing for that matter . oh. are advised that a good writer always carries around a notebook to write down ideas and stray thoughts. a couple of weeks.
If you're a professional. Though it hasn't happened yet. even the envelopes and scraps – and. rather than vague scribblings made in the middle of the night or on the spur of the moment. in the back bedroom. I have dozens of them full of ideas that I never use.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less I think notebooks are good from one angle.firmly. Sometimes you may feel you have an idea so overwhelming that you have to write it down. try this: Put everything you've ever written in to a cardboard box.easywaytowrite. I've found that good ideas have a habit of resurfacing.com . Very good ones just won't go away! You may feel different. seal the trunk. Hide the box or trunk somewhere inaccessible. I Said Let Go! If you're finding it hard to let go of your writing. Beyond that. you might need a room. Sometimes I look back at these so-called pearls of wisdom and think: well. If you've been prolific you might need many boxes or a trunk. the files. I do. the folders. here's the important bit. the odd bits of paper. Take everything – all the manuscripts. tape down the box. But generally. The principle is the same. if I get desperate I'll use something here. most professional writers make all their notes during their writing time – and may have tons of them – but they are almost always relevant. Under stairs. lock the door . That's different. or Page 36 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Go for it. Keep a notebook if it's important to you. They help the novice translate the world around them into written words.
many of which require time. drink juice. lots of vegetables. simply try to be nice to yourself. This may sound radical . Page 37 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. or at least some effort. do some gardening. How do you feel? Panicked? Relieved? Free? Whatever you're feeling.but it sends a clear message to your subconscious that this time – it's over.com . It'll probably be a new sensation. Release yourself from your writing.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less in the shed. it's time to… Get Your Self Together There are many ways to do this. get loads of sleep. If you're lucky enough to have a writing room.easywaytowrite. enjoy it. Forget about it. Get it out of your life. lock it and give the key to someone else. You and writing have had it. Visit the beach. Eat well – less meat. My advice would be to take the path of least resistance. For just a few days. and a welcome one. Now. Let it go. You never want to think about it again. completely. Go walking.
easywaytowrite. At your day job. who cares? In the great scheme of things. Go without the booze. Impossible. Just try every day at least once to relax and feel as though you have no cares and worries. does it? Not at work anyway. That's hardly the point of the exercise. try to take everything a little easier. Page 38 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. and impractical sometimes.com . Whilst this might not go down very well – it's a proven fact. and that nothing really matters. Is anyone you work with really indispensable? Honestly? Are you? Or do you just think you are? You can take a break. Think about that. I know it's hard to change. Tell your bosses you've discovered you're more productive if you take off every ten minutes of the hour to relax.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Cut down on the coffee. They might even agree with you. Try it on them. But if you can slow down the rhythm of your life for maybe even a short while. If you find it hard to let go. if you have one. do you? Relax. Life goes on – and would go on without you. don't knock yourself out. You don't really have to care so much and work hard all the time. Tell your workmates to stop stressing you out. can't you? Just a short one. it'll be worth it. nothing really does matter. If not.
The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less
Take it easy. Think happy thoughts. Read an uplifting book – a self-help book ideally, something that helps unclog your thinking. Do something unusual. Go swimming. Find a new park, walk amongst flowers! Enjoy the moment, wonder at the beauty and miraculous nature of the Universe… But, whatever you do, don't think about writing!
Some Tips On Being Healthy I'm no fitness freak, and I'm certainly no Adonis anymore. But I've picked up a few things along the way that seem to add up to a better way of living. More conducive to creativity, anyway. As far as I'm concerned, that's the only criterion that matters. I don't advocate total abstinence from anything bad. Far from it. People who know me would find that hypocritical! Oftentimes I've noticed that being happy keeps people healthier than any strict diet or athletic regimes. I'm waiting to see concrete evidence that supports this theory it but – I'm sure there's something to it! Here are some techniques you might like to try:
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The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less
Restrict yourself to drinking only water before noon, and only fruit juice thereafter. This is something I picked up from "Fit for Life" written by Harvey and Marilyn Diamond. For some reason which I've forgotten (they do explain it in the book) it helps clear the mind and settle the digestion. As does being a vegetarian. Don't make that dismissive noise! Listen up. The trouble with eating meat is that the body wasn't built to process it. There is much evidence to suggest that our bodies were designed to be vegetarian. The shape of our teeth, our digestive juices, the intestinal tract process vegetable matter perfectly. Not so with meat. Meat is hard for the body to deal with. Consequently, eating large amounts of it can make you tired and listless, sapping your energy. Restrict your intake of tea, coffee and alcohol. Drink a lot of water and herbal teas. Avoid salt - it makes you lethargic and over thirsty. Get away from it all. There's nothing quite like a long walk in the countryside. If there's no countryside near you, visit parks or the beach. If you're in the middle of a city where nothing like this exists, go to an art gallery or museum – somewhere quiet. Stop watching the news or reading the newspapers.
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The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less
Unplug the TV. Really. Try it. It helps creativity enormously. And you'll probably find out you suddenly have a lot more free time! Everyday, when you wake up, think of at least three reasons why you're glad to be alive. Try going through the day thinking only happy thoughts! Stop yourself when you feel a dark thought coming on and replace it with a pleasant one. Whatever you do - don't think about anything serious. Now, you're thinking I've flipped. How can anybody do this? How could anybody be so carefree when there's so much to worry about? Well, I don't want to go on about it but, get this, worrying is a choice. You don't have to do it. I know it's easier said than done. I was there, for almost a decade I worried constantly about my life – where it was heading, whether I was achieving what I should. I grew increasingly depressed about money, debts, my writing, my work, my relationships, everything. But the trouble with worry is that is actually restricts your ability to perform any of the tasks you're worrying about! It's only when you let go and begin to see yourself in context of the Universe - big place, you, an insignificant dot - that you can begin to work what's important, and what isn't.
On Artistic Temperament Many talented people, especially artists, musicians, writers and actors are attracted to excitement. The adrenaline buzz.
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instead of channeling those feelings into creativity.com . Look at Hendrix. Excitement. Thankfully now there is much more help available in this area. When you have tasted life on the edge – or just over it – life can seem dull afterwards. You might just have an addictive personality that you can channel into other areas. Maybe get some counseling. is clearly addictive. before it's too late. Kurt Cobain . and Dylan Thomas – all chronic alcoholics. take a good long look at what you do. you should seek help now. Artists seem to expect their lives should be. then at least a succession of highs.easywaytowrite. If you think you might have problem. Scott Fitzgerald. they choose other. if not one long roller coaster. This is a shame – especially when it interferes with the talent of the individual. Trouble is. baser ways of achieving those highs. especially ego related.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Look at Hemingway. though whether accidentally or not is debatable. Even some of today's Hollywood actors appear to have similar selfdestructive habits. Jim Morrison.they all killed themselves. Page 42 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. If you think you have a real problem. and a greater understanding of the problem.
It can be good in that a sensitive person will see more of their surroundings. But some people are so sensitive that they feel lashed and beaten by normal life. They don't understand the ego.com . Page 43 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. They're not comfortable without some kind of shield or cloak – like alcohol or drugs.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less More on Artistic Temperament I've noticed that artistic people are generally more sensitive than others. More on this later. Temper tantrums are common in this kind of artist. they feel uncomfortable interacting with others. This can be good and bad.easywaytowrite. perhaps become more perceptive to details and the nuances of character – a definite boon to a writer. I think this is the real reason why some apparently talented writers seem to overreact to the slightest of criticism by behaving in a seemingly self-destructive manner. and what it's for. I'm not saying ego is a bad thing – far from it. However. depending on the maturity of the individual. the same sensitivity can make a young ego intolerant of criticism.
Stretching the mind to visualize the enormity of a novel can fill you with a sense of wonder that is as uplifting as it is exhausting. I think. Perhaps we're only aware of the problem because. Page 44 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. if you think about it. But there's more. Is it writing that drives you to drink. Perhaps the two are unrelated. or do drinkers become writers? Is there something about the propensity for self-abuse that is related to creativity? Or does being creative somehow necessitate periods of catatonic stupor? It's probably none of these things.easywaytowrite. Perhaps it's simply the same dissatisfaction that leads a writer to drink. a significant proportion of the best writers have had alcohol problems. through accident. back to normal as it were. and the way things are. Perhaps alcohol helps to bring you down.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Alcohol Drinking seems to be common problem amongst writers. As if writing fiction can somehow create order and sense for the writer where he or she sees little or none in the real world. Wanting to write novels. It implies. It's difficult to know why.com . is an odd choice to make. some dissatisfaction with life. amongst other things. Perhaps it's something to do with forcing the mind open – most writers I've met find the process of thinking through large projects like novels quite draining.
a drunk is the same as every other drunk. in the mind of the alcoholic. is so heavily ingrained into our minds that we almost instinctively wonder why anybody happy would want to write. Writing is about establishing trust.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less My theory is. My experience of writers is that they perform better and are far more productive when they are healthy. Page 45 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.easywaytowrite. For pleasure of course! Agendas like anger. at worst. crazy. angry at the world. They all live in the same place. except make you seem at best obsessed. Nobody wants to feel insulted. And alone. fresher. unless you edit them furiously when they appear. It arrests consequence and responsibility. Agendas show through in your work. Perspective The whole of this section is about getting a newer. Whether they be young. This may surprise you. Readers need to know they can relax in your company – that you're not going to disappoint them or be cruel. happy and clear. You must not take a reader by the hand only to hit him in the face later on. booze somehow stops time. old or any kind of person. bitterness and resentment do nothing for your writing.com . at the same time: nowhere. The traditional image of the struggling artist. more balanced view on life.
The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Save yourself the tedium of all that work. Stay away from harmful activities. Get it right first time. And the only true. it's up to the writer to guide the readers thoughts to the most important pieces if action and drama for the story. the mature viewpoint. You must never mislead or deceive the reader. Start now. It's a complete fallacy that the most creative writers are miserable individuals who wallow in anguish and self-pity. Think about it. omnipotent. Reality Bites Now. Get clear. Do it. Relax. A reader won't take you seriously as a writer anyway unless you can encompass the whole view. easy way to do this is to get healthy – in mind and body. readers think of authors as gods! They are omniscient. Believe it or not. Don't put it off. Take in the whole picture. Isn't that the definition of an uncreative writer? Page 46 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. You can become the writer you want to be. but that's just not practical at the moment. How? Easy. well. The benefits you reap will be huge.Yeah. all perceiving.easywaytowrite. I know that you are thinking . Therefore. maybe.com .
Emotions are not designed to make us unhappy . If you're not happy.easywaytowrite. And I believe that happy people attract success. Self-doubt. You have the choice and the right to be happy. insecurity and lack of confidence are the most common reasons why writers don't write. you must believe that you are doing your best. it's because you haven't grasped that you – and only you – are the one who's in control of your emotions. It's heart breaking. you're going nowhere. sinking into obscurity. It's also absurd if you think about it. It's About Attitude In order for you to do your best.there are there to help us learn. Learning is good.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less If you sincerely want to be creative . If you're not learning. To become so convinced you couldn't do something well – or at least as well as someone else – that you end up not doing anything! Page 47 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. then I will consider myself successful. you're stagnating. It's the most important lesson you can learn about life.com .get happy! If you take nothing away from this book but the necessity of learning to be happy. And if you're staying still. I've seen it a million times.
In a short while. Set yourself free. Later. The last thing you want is excess baggage. Beat it down. perhaps for the first time in your life. blow away the cobwebs and rejuvenate your spirit! Page 48 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. If you know it's bad. a creative dynamo. You are not a bad writer because your writing's bad. But how will you find ever out if you don't finish it? Trust your inner voice – the one that says you want to write. Even if you think you are. Imagine yourself as a successful writer. For the next few days do nothing except unwind. and the lack of confidence. kill it. wouldn't you? You'd have to. you can make it better. There would be no choice in the matter. at some stage. How would you deal with your writing then? Especially if you had a deadline? You'd have to keep going.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less I've known people who haven't written for a decade because of the fear that what they will write will be bad – and they still call themselves writers! Writers write. simply ignore those thoughts.easywaytowrite.com . The fact is it doesn't matter if you're bad. Think about it. you may feel your book will never be any good. you are about to become a real life writer. Ignore the doubt. the insecurity. This is common.
I believe you need to get some of these limiting beliefs out of your mind. As I mentioned in the introduction. too. at the very least. have been a victim of this wrong thinking. There's a lot of what I call wrong thinking that needs to be undone. To write on autopilot. you may not agree with everything I say here. or next novel. there's some ground to cover first. Page 49 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. This is most probably because you.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less CHAPTER THREE Exploding Myths I'm going to teach you to fly. But if. In order to do that successfully. Especially if you believe them. perhaps because it makes us feel better about being so unproductive! The truth is there are far too many myths attached to the business of writing that do absolutely nothing to enhance creativity. Before you begin your novel.easywaytowrite. I'm going to spend a little time now trying to dismantle some of these myths for you. I think you'll find your writing becomes a whole lot easier.com . Bear with me. you acknowledge that I might be right about a few of these things. There are myths about writing we all in some way like to perpetuate. You may have written novels before that have taken you a year or two to complete.
Don't share it. it is not necessarily a good thing to suppress in a writer. It should be nurtured like a delicate plant that you must water.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Ego Contrary to what your parents might have told you. It has no sense of the impossible. protect and treat with respect. But here's the trick. Imagine it growing inside you. Your ego is the motivating force behind your desire to write. While suppressing a child's ego might make a parent's life easier. embarrassing almost. The ego is not logical. Am I right? It's seen as a raucous child. filling you with pride and the belief that you can do anything. your ego is your best friend. Page 50 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. The ego is fragile. I bet that most of your life you've been taught to suppress your ego. I'll tell you why. an inappropriate thing.com . to show them off and be respected for your efforts. Cherish it. It is what makes you want to complete things well. expanding.easywaytowrite. Direct it inward.
Go with it. The subconscious is stupid – it believes whatever you tell it. superb writer you know. A burst of ego-driven thoughts and the associated rush of adrenaline are like radiation burns to the subconscious – permanently imprinting good. surely you have a responsibility to tell it only positive things. Even if it seems absurd. the subconscious remembers things even better when they're attached to emotion. your self-worth will start to soar as your subconscious begins to believe in the endless possibilities that your ego is capable of imagining. How is this helping my writing? So. Enjoy it. helpful news on your inner being.easywaytowrite. For complex reasons. I'll state it again: You can write a brilliant novel. for those that haven't got the central message of this book. Page 51 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Okay. Imagine that you really are the most talented and best. Why? Because your subconscious will start to believe it. If that is case.com . I know you're thinking this is all self-delusion. Make yourself laugh with the absurdity of it. cleverest.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Whenever you catch yourself filling with pride or beginning to feel that anything and everything is possible – go with it. keep telling yourself you're the best. Within a short time. push the feeling to the limit. simply if you believe you can.
People will always try to undermine your confidence – especially if it's seen to be ego driven. Keep it to Yourself One of the ways of sustaining this new level of confidence in yourself is not to share your newfound feelings with anyone. Let's face it. Walk into a room and tell someone you're happy and the natural instinct is for the other person to tell you why you shouldn't be. nondoers are intimidated because they're jealous. Why? Or. Because their next question will always be.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less And it will be as easy as you want it to be because you decide that it will be. It's not worth talking to these people. It's part of human nature. intimidate people.easywaytowrite. For the moment we'll just deal with some home truths. There are other reasons for this that I will explain later. People think that if your ego is telling you something.com . Rather than waste your energy telling people how good you feel. People love to criticize. Why is that? Doers. What makes you so special? Page 52 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. you are being fed false information and should be brought down to earth immediately. especially creative doers. don't bother.
It's up to you to harness the energy it thrives on and make it work for you. Don't tell anyone else about your opinion about yourself – however short-lived . It's human nature.easywaytowrite.accepted. To recap. naturally. Therefore it is powerful. capricious and child-like.com . Page 53 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.because others will always try to undermine your confidence. Of course the ego is shallow. Think about what your ego thrives on: * * * * Attention Recognition Praise Flattery – no matter how empty! All of the things that will make you feel better about yourself and your writing. That's a given . Because I'm such a great writer! I'll leave it to you to imagine the response you'll get from that one. The lesson is that the ego is a private thing. your ego is good because it's your motivating force. It is blindly convinced it can do anything. But its energy knows no bounds.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less To which your answer will be.
The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less The rational. protect it and make it grow! Naysayers Many people will tell you that this kind of ego bolstering is a bad thing. Page 54 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. super creative levels. an easy. That's because people associate egos with arrogance and unpleasantness. The hardest part is simply to trust it and not feel you're deluding yourself. You're not.easywaytowrite. and the logical. An ego that shows itself through quiet confidence. cynical and depressed. You're simply bolstering your confidence to powerful. Promote it. True. It's hard not to – they're everywhere! They'll say you shouldn't elevate your opinion of yourself to impossible heights. giving manner. They imagine prima donnas who stamp their feet and scream if they don't get their own way. but you might be tempted to listen to them anyway. that it's not logical or realistic. the ego can make you behave like that –but it doesn't have to. The subconscious will then be able to take over and do all the hard work for you. conscious mind must be forced back to let the subconscious come forward.com . Don't fear your ego. There is another way. These people are usually small minded.
It is what takes us out of ourselves. surety and confidence.com . what are you going to do with it? Page 55 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. and who you can become. Without ego. Altruism is ego in another form. Think about it. or the strength to rebel against our enemies – the need to prove something ourselves. This is how you must think of ego. brimming with confidence.easywaytowrite. gives us the courage to travel the world. and don't let anyone take it away from you. Just after a good performance. Don't fear your ego. they are filled with their own egos. to stand tall and say – I did that! Some might say: what about altruism? What about the desire to give and do good just because it's the right think to do. Pah! There's no such thing as altruism. There is serenity. happy. But also note there is rarely any bitterness or anger. The ego is what makes us human.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Look at actors or athletes. * Motivation So now you've got a motivating force – your ego. Because ego is a pre-requisite to creativity. It's who you are. what makes us scale new heights. People give because it feels good – to them. there would be no urge for humans to do anything beyond survive.
does it? Page 56 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. and even their answers sound woolly.easywaytowrite. It might help at this stage. * * Why do you want to write? In particular. Put like that. It may well define how you go about the rest of this book. it doesn't seem worth the effort. tragically. I have a deadline. Answering this question is important. What's the point? A lot of effort for what? A whole bunch of words that. * * * I can't help it. and how much you will derive from it.com . why do you want to write a novel? Answer in less than 25 words – the fewer the better.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Let's ask some basic questions. These are the answers of well-motivated people. only a few people will ever read. There is absolutely no reason in the world for the average person to write a novel. Think for a moment. Most professionals will answer in two or three words. I've got this great story.
chaotic nature into something beautiful and meaningful. obviously. scenes. pictures.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less The great Dorothea Brande once said.it quickly becomes as addictive as a drug.com . Once you've felt the satisfaction that comes with creating something – especially when you receive positive feedback . Perhaps there's even something a little God-like about being able to create things. To relate a dramatic event in your life? To get that plot that's been bugging you for years down on paper? Page 57 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. whatever. "Writers create their own sense of emergency.easywaytowrite. For instance: * * * To record a family history." She's right. Words. worlds. For some reason writers decide that it is critical that they write. to fashion raw. What about your reasons to write? If you are not a professional you will probably have much more practical reasons for writing a novel. Writing is all about creating. This is an ego related thing. It's weird. Why? Who knows? Why does it seem so important for a writer that he writes? I guess it's about creativity.
The Three Keys That there are three simple keys to writing a novel quickly and easily. any and all reasons to write a novel are valid. For now. Do it now. All good solid reasons.com . It's kind of a test. as long as they achieve the desired end-result. They have nothing to do with anything you might have learnt at school. Easy stuff. composition. spelling. I'm talking about the art of writing a novel. The fact is.easywaytowrite. or novels. I want you write down the reasons why you want to write a novel. you can learn in a day. They've got nothing to do with grammar. Here are the three keys: * * * Attitude Mindset Courage Page 58 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less * To prove that you can do it. knowing the rules – these are all to do with the craft of writing – and the subject of the second half of the book.
However. because in the final stretch. you'll be so desperate to get started. boundless motivation and effortless work. or don't even try. With these keys. Hopefully by now. you'll wonder what ever held you back! Part of the process is demystifying the business of creative writing.easywaytowrite. it is my sincere desire that by the time you finish reading – and probably a long time before that – if you follow the rules and techniques I'm teaching you. too many people don't write.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less That's it.com . because they think it's too hard. you'll need to take a leap of faith. Courage is important too. you'll be getting a clearer idea of how to create a positive attitude in yourself – and how to use your ego to help you unleash the power of it. The fact is. you can unlock the doors to endless creativity. Next chapter we'll be dealing with mindset in detail – and how changing your views on things can help you to break out of the limiting belief systems that prevent writers from writing quickly and easily. And the worse thing? Writers perpetuate the myth! Of course they do! Page 59 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. A whole novel might seem like an awesome prospect – even at the end of this book.
frustrated. Page 60 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. anyone who struggles to write simply isn't doing it right! I've seen writers struggle for years over all kinds of things: * * * They're waiting for Inspiration They're wracked with doubt They've avoiding confronting their work (or themselves!) * They whine about lack of time The list goes on. Where each word is wrenched from his heart and spilt on to the page like blood. The whole image is romantic. where he sits wrapped in his old coat and scarf against the cold. He's alone. when writers become fully engrossed in their novel. how much respect would writers have for themselves? Everyone loves the image of the struggling artist in his garret. How much respect would the ordinary person have for writers if they thought writing was easy? For that matter. The interesting part is that. It's… It's garbage! To my mind. all of these concerns evaporate.com .easywaytowrite. It's noble.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Think about it – they have to. a misunderstood genius.
the satisfaction that creativity can bring you is overwhelming.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Suddenly inspiration is there. I want to bring it out of you. and trying to make sense of it that. that's exactly what you are when you're creating…a kind of minigod. Indeed. Rather it's a sequence of events. Some writers take years to learn the knack of it. It's almost like being a god. begging to be heard. if you think about it. banging on the door. It's awesome and inspiring.easywaytowrite. Not just physical events but also moments of decision that a writer must go through to reach the endpoint of "novelist". The object of this book it to help you through those events and moments of decision in the shortest time possible. in large part. Simply put. There's no big secret to writing a novel. At moments. has led to this book. I love seeing the sense of pride and well being that shines from people that are creative and loving it.com . It's looking at this seemingly contradictory behavior. Doubt disappears and they just seem to be able to make the time they never had before. Page 61 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Why? Because I've always loved helping people. helping them find that spark of creativity that sets us apart from the rest of Nature. They say there's a book in everyone. Especially helping people to become creative.
Its actual birth may be beautiful or it may be traumatic. It's exciting when you know it's on the way. we need to look at your thinking and perhaps change a few of your long held beliefs… ** Page 62 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. it's so wonderful it fills you with aching pride – but with it comes responsibility. I guarantee that when you've finished your master opus.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Birth of an Idea Writing a novel is like having a baby. But when it's arrived. You'll know that anything is possible and that any of your lifelong ambitions can be fulfilled. Writing a book makes you feel special. you'll feel much better about yourself – not only because you'll be an author but also because you'll know you can finish things.com . it may be quick and painless or long drawn out and stressful. It's great fun to conceive. But first.easywaytowrite.
Okay. writers get better in direct proportion to their productivity. let's start with the big issues first.easywaytowrite.by every word? Page 63 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less CHAPTER FOUR A Case of Definition The purpose of this series of observations is to break down barriers to creativity and output. What is Art? What would be your definition? A beautiful. If you take on board the ideas I'm about to propound. And as we know.com . even for a short while. you'll find your productivity will soar. well executed piece of sculpture? A piece of music so divinely inspired that it seems almost holy? A painting so sublime that it seems to ring of truth itself? What about art in literary terms? Is it writing so clever and profound you are humbled – even intimidated .
that's exactly what it is. Michelangelo's David. It may be none of them.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less It may be any of these things. Art is not an absolute. There are others who might disagree. Who's to say that one piece of creativity is art and another is not? Who is the arbiter? Is it you? Me? Some unnamed critic who seems to speak with authority? Given time.com . Get that fixed in your mind. and vice versa. All these are agreed by most to be Works of Art. while some don't. Guernica by Picasso. No more or less. There is absolutely no reason to believe that what you create is less a work of art than anything else. What is art today is trash tomorrow. Page 64 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.easywaytowrite. Beethoven's 5th Symphony. Nothing can be called true "art" without agreement between people. What is all this telling you? That "art" is merely a consensus of opinion? Yes. Leonardo's Mona Lisa. It is subjective. people seem to agree that certain items become Art.
What really makes art? One word: Rarity. for a start. They represent supposed perfection in their field. Does that mean other artists never produce anything worthy of praise? Of course not. An absurd concept. Everyone else's has gone. Aliens land on our wasted planet and by chance find your book. The reason why David and the Mona Lisa are considered exceptional works of art is become they are one in a million. Everything else that might be a bit like them is conveniently classed as inferior and relegated to an also subjective realm of "second-class" art.easywaytowrite. Page 65 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. How many pieces of art do you know that have stirred you and had a profound effect on you. In their own time they may well have been mass-produced in thousands.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Look at pieces of pottery from pre-history. only to discover later that some critic has relegated the work to banal and uninspiring? Art is what you perceive it to be. beautiful and stirring. Some call them examples of primitive art. If you believe your book to be a work of art. Do you think your book would them become a work of art to these Aliens? You can be damn sure it would. thought of as merely functional. Errors and all.com . badly tooled. then that's exactly what it is. It's all relative. cheap and thrown away after use! Imagine that in a thousand years the world has been destroyed. Period. They are rare.
Swimmers swim. Just like Michelangelo. Page 66 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.com . You are an artist because you decide to be . Mostly they set out to express themselves in the best way they can. but the act of writing and writing well is a craft. If you swim badly. you sink. Writing can create a work of art. perhaps by chance. The fact is. And a craft is a learned set of rules that you adapt to express yourself. yes.writing is not art in itself. If you swim well. It's like swimming. Beethoven and Picasso.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less There is absolutely no reason why you should not consider yourself an Artist – with a capital A! You do not need to pass exams to call yourself an artist. Remember . but because you aspire to be an artist. you get stronger and go further. Leonardo. Whether they succeed every time is open to question and analysis. Artists do not always set out to create art. the only way to improve your swimming is to swim.easywaytowrite.not because you necessarily create art. They all learnt the rules of their craft first – and just kept going. they created a piece of work that later generations would regard as a work of real art. Each one of them labored and produced until one day.
or read an original book? Hm? Me neither. Or is it that they themselves are using the wrong word? Page 67 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. The media doesn't help either. Perhaps it's different from what these media moguls regard as original. Your work of art. That's the only way to get better. students and teachers. you may think this odd.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Writers write. What is Originality? There's a lot of nonsense talked about originality. If you read their guidelines for submissions. Because if originality is so important to producers and publishers. Perhaps our definition is faulty. one day you too will create your masterpiece. why do we never see or read anything that appears remotely original anymore? When was the last time you saw an original film. they practically insist on it – every time! If you're an avid reader or TV and movie watcher. TV and film companies are always talking about it.com . It's practically inevitable. Publishers.easywaytowrite. especially by critics. If you keep going.
only they are qualified to recognize. Think about it – there are only so many words. yes. only so many ways to string together a sentence. a scene. a drama. Trouble is. In reality.easywaytowrite. Don't waste your time. or a story. Inspiration is a gift. please. as any seasoned professional will tell you. only so many formats. This is a waste of time! There is no such thing as an original idea.com . there are precious few ideas and concepts worth exploring – all of which have been done to death a Page 68 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. but the truth is it's as common a commodity as water. They desperately try to think of an original idea.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less They don't really mean original. Originality is a very scary word for a young artist. critics (especially) believe that true originality is something that is quantifiable and exists in a recognizable form – and that it's the sole preserve of a few selected geniuses – which strangely enough. is not actually being original at all. Someone will always get there before you. There might be interesting juxtapositions of old ideas but even these aren't really worth seeking out. as though this is a key that will unlock the door to their creativity and success. if you know how to recognize it. I've met several writers that spend valuable writing time too terrified to write lest they be considered unoriginal. the same old thing with a new twist. Which. They mean significantly different – that is. only so many plots.
Curious.easywaytowrite.com .The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less million times before you were born. Do original ideas float about in the ether waiting to be picked up by receptive artists? I doubt it. within days . reading the same papers. There's a curious phenomenon that magazine publishers will tell about if you ask them. How in hell can you hope to be original? The simple answer is that you can't.about a dozen or so other writers seem to have had the same idea at about the same time. or inspiring us in certain ways that are common. Don't even try. Quite apart from this being an impossibility.or sometimes minutes . All submitted independent of each other. sometimes an idea comes along that – in the context of the time – that will seem relatively original. Originality in Publishing You may think you have an original concept. Page 69 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. When they come across an 'original' idea submitted by a freelance writer. Be assured. I think it's because we're all watching the same news items. this is a difficult phenomenon to explain. making the same mental connections that lead us to certain conclusions. eh? Without getting too metaphysical. it won't stay original for long.
No.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less If you think about it. the more chance the end result will be something that only you could have thought of – therefore. This is not because they see different things. more likely to be original. They want us to copy others. Unique Voice To look for originality is to misunderstand it. undiluted and untainted. That way. that means for every good idea you have. I guess one way to stop this from happening is to "cut yourself off". Everyone has a different way of looking at something and a way of expressing a reaction to it. the unfortunate fact is there is bound to be someone else out there having exactly the same idea – at exactly the same time as you are. your ideas percolate. so that we might learn – and then we wonder why we're not seen as original! Originality. Page 70 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Writing teachers are always trying to get us to emulate success. is in our own voice. It is well attested that ten people witnessing the same event will report ten different versions of it. It's because they describe it to themselves in ten different ways. My feeling is that true originality will come from someone who doesn't realize they have it.com . if it's anywhere.easywaytowrite. What a depressing thought. We are unique in the way that each of us experiences the world. The longer you hold on to a series of thoughts and develop them in your mind.
Don't get involved with it with trite definitions.com . It's up to others less talented and less focused– and always has been – to define originality. Good writers know this and strive to achieve both of these to the best of his or her ability in their writing. It's that sense of elation you feel at some insight. there's only one you. we are getting even closer. but the way it makes you feel! And the way you feel is what makes you unique. If you want to be original – be yourself. What is Inspiration? The feeling that something is right. Artists should be above these petty. then what you create will be truly unique. Hence: inspiration is not the idea itself. we're getting closer to our original definition of originality. Get the following fact firmly established in your mind: Originality is nothing more than a combination of honesty and attitude. If we substitute the word honesty. After all.easywaytowrite. meaningless labels. That is the only rule. And only by being unique can you claim to be original. If you are totally honest and true to your beliefs in your writing.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less That is what makes us original. Here. Page 71 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.
Some people wait their entire lives for inspiration. Here's one of my favorite exercises: How to Come Up with Ten Brilliant Ideas for Stories before Breakfast Ideas that inspire are usually caused by a juxtaposition of one notion against another seemingly unrelated one.trying to be clever? Chances are. In Page 72 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. inspiration – that is: good ideas – are all around you. eager for your attention. believing that it is some innate outside influence that will one day hit them. my plots.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Audiences. along with the motivation to do something about it. no matter how lurid or bland . readers. there are so many thousands of inspiring ideas close at hand that you simply don't recognize them as such. Wrong.do I really believe in my characters. That's one definition. Inspiration comes from within. or my stories? Or am I just playing games .easywaytowrite. try asking yourself . Until you train yourself to see them. Indeed. if your work is failing. neither will anyone else. With the right mindset.com . jostling for position. and viewers like honesty. if you don't believe in what you do.they expect and admire it. By the same token.
easywaytowrite. it's anything that causes your mind to take a step back and say: "Now.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less reality. You hear a sound and look back. The floor has blood on it… 3.. you see yourself – you're still asleep in bed… 4. You wake up in the morning in your bed. Imagine you've woken up in a bed you don't recognize. You get out of bed. You make it to the bathroom and look in the mirror. Why are you here? What happened…? 2.com .. You walk downstairs and pick up the post. 5.. With a shock. 6. There's a letter from a lawyer… 8. that's interesting. there's a pendant in a pocket you don't recognize. Page 73 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. You open the fridge. It's not your face. 7. your own bed this time. You can't remember last night at all… You put on some clothes. You step from the bed towards the bathroom." Take a good look at the following scenarios and see if they don't suggest stories to you: 1. Someone – God knows who – has moved your stuff around. You bathe..
If you're ever stuck for an idea. Page 74 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Tell yourself you're going to think of ten ideas – and you will. You put on the toaster. For some reason the subconscious mind likes this kind of test and will deliver you more and more wild ideas the longer you seek them.com . Contrary to what most of us believe. inspiration is one of those things that can be forced. or anything we can imagine that cannot be seen as a starting point for an interesting idea. I guarantee it always works! Inspiration is cheap and plentiful. Professional writers know this. What is Literacy? A quick look back over best sellers from the past thirty years will tell you that literacy is not a particular issue when it comes to popular writers. the best way to think of something is to try your own version of the above exercise. .easywaytowrite. Try it.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less 9. You put on the kettle. You hear ticking from a package on the table… 10. It turns into a frog… You get the idea? There is absolutely nothing that happens to us.
Just don't knock yourself out about them. What is Genius? There's a lot of disagreement about this. the creator. If they like a story. I would like to put forward my view. there are a few rules that we must abide by nowadays – and I list them all in the Part Two of the book. I would be ready to believe them if they didn't publish so many. they'll go with it. there is room for all kinds of writing styles. even editors. trying to forge an easier way through your writing. They're just like you and me.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less It's not really my place to bandy names of authors with less than "ideal" literary skills – just take my word for it. I think perhaps the problem is that publishers.com . Of course. not as the definitive answer but one that is more helpful to you. Just a theory. aren't quite as well educated as they'd like us to believe. Perhaps there's a more romantic reason. no matter. they'll pay someone to "fix it up". If it's terrible. If it's patchy. I hear it happens all too often. however crude and undisciplined. Again. Perhaps ours is such a rich culture. Publishers are quick to say they reject illiterate manuscripts. It's not important.easywaytowrite. Page 75 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.
Einstein realized this couldn't be the case because light could be "bent" by gravity. he argued. he proposed that light was a form of energy – and that he could prove it by math.easywaytowrite. If you do that.com . How could he/she be – without something to judge? Scott Adams – of Dilbert fame – once said that genius was the ability to effectively disguise your influences. but it does sound too simple. that word again. Is this the mark of a genius? Someone who can think outside of the square? To be able to imagine a concept that no one else had previously considered? At the time when Einstein was thinking these thoughts. When asked how he could come up with the theory of Relativity. Nobody is a genius before he/she has created something. you can "con" people into believing you have presented something original – ah.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Begin by removing all your preconceptions in this area. Einstein said he simply imagined himself sat on a point of light. Again. In the face of all scientific thinking. Genius is not an innate substance that only the lucky few possess. as with art. it is a value judgment ascribed to an artist after his work has been completed. And worked backwards. most scientists believed light traveled through an "ether" rather like a dye through water. I like this definition. Did this make him a genius? Or was it just a desire not to believe what the herd had been told? Page 76 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.
People would rather not believe that each one of us is capable of genius.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less I think that's partly it. Einstein is still only perceived as a genius in retrospect.com . The point is that genius is generally indefinable. Even so.easywaytowrite. he was apparently considered an average student. At school. Their personal style. Mozart is considered a genius because he found composing so easy. People make this judgment because genii are not only defined by the work they create but also by the way they go about it. Some say Edison was a genius because he never gave up inventing. All of these people just did what they had to. Something that comes from within. most especially by the people who bandy the term around. They didn't think: Today I'm going to be a genius… I think people label someone a genius as a kind of excuse. as it were Page 77 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Similarly. It's just a handy way of describing talent that doesn't seem to rely on exterior elements. inattentive and destined for obscurity. It makes their talent seem unattainable.
We all have it. it's the one thing that all writers have – before critics and peers try to beat out of you. Why is that? Page 78 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. in fiction.easywaytowrite. it is essential. It is a strange phenomenon that a writer's first book will often sell better than any of the later ones. Therefore. Your unique voice is what separates you from everyone else. but when it comes to writing fiction.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less What is Style? In writing. you must believe that your voice is as valid as any other genius. Every writer has a different way of saying the same thing – a unique way. Don't let them take it away from you! Learn the techniques of the craft of writing. As I said. by all means. everyone has a unique voice. Take away an author's unique voice and you have only imitation – work that is shallow and does not inspire. tell it your way with your own unique point of view. Journalism tries to block this voice – it's too personal and inappropriate for news. This is a mistake because is the very essence of potential genius. You have it. In fiction. We all have our own way of seeing the world.com .
The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less
Because readers recognize a new, unique voice. Readers like getting inside a writer's head. Especially if they can relate to them. Even more if they can relate to them and do and say the things the reader wouldn't dare. My advice is, at all times in fiction, to be true to your own voice, your own convictions and your own view of the world, no matter what.
What is Talent? The only right way to tell a story is in your own words. This sounds obvious but to the novice, this is not always as easy as it sounds. When you ask people to write something, they go into writing mode – something they picked up from school – whereby there are certain words and phrases you must use to be doing it right. Big mistake. Nothing is more likely to sound wooden and contrived. If you're having trouble finding your voice, try this little experiment. First, write down a couple or five lines telling a very short story. Like an anecdote. If you can't think of anything, try relating the plot of a movie or a book. It'll read something like this: My brother was once taught an important lesson about taking on more than he could handle. When he was younger, he used to go fishing.
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The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less
One day, he was pulled into the water by a large fish. He was soaked to the skin and had to be hospitalized. Pretty dull, eh? Now try telling the story out loud – preferably into a tape recorder. Tell the story, as if you have an audience of one or more friends. When you listen back to it, it'll probably sound a bit like this: Hey, wanna hear something funny? Yeah – um – well, you know my brother? Jack, yeah. The one with the funny hair, yeah. Well, um, y'know, he was always a bit of an idiot. He always reckoned he could do anything, right? Y'know, kind of like a dare devil, never say die kind of guy. An idiot, yeah right. So anyway, he was out fishing one day. In a boat on this loch, up in Scotland I think it was. Um…so anyway. He got this big fish and it kept pulling the line out. Every time he tried to pull it in, the fish – whatever it was – kept pulling harder. Huh, yeah, I know, it's typical of him, I know. So anyway, he stood up and the thing reared out of the water – it was a huge monster he said – and it pulled him in. Right over the side of the boat, into the water. Wham. Um, yeah, okay? Splash! Finally pulled himself out and walked back to the house. Idiot got the flu didn't he? We took him to Westbridge hospital. Spent about a week there…I visited him all the time. What an idiot. You'll notice it's a lot longer, almost incoherent in places but also full of tiny details. Not just actual physical details but details in the nuance of its telling that actually add weight to the tale. You learn more about the event because of the way it's told. You also learn not only about
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The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less
the hero, but also the teller, because the story is now influenced by his personality. Now, rewrite the tape-recorded transcript, editing out all the ums and glitches and polishing the prose slightly. It might read something like this: My brother Jack: the one with the funny hair. He was always a bit of an idiot. He reckoned he could do just about anything. To be fair, he was a dare devil, a never-say-die kind of guy. Anyway, Jack was out fishing one day, in a boat on a loch, up in Scotland. His line caught a big fish, but he couldn't reel it in. Every time Jack pulled, the fish – whatever it was – kept pulling harder. Finally Jack stood up. Just then, a huge monstrous creature reared up out of the water. Jack was so stunned he lost his balance. The monster-fish pulled him in, right over the side of the boat. Splash! Quickly, afraid for his life, he scrabbled back to the boat and hauled himself out. Later, we had to take him to Westbridge General because, after that, he got the flu. What an idiot!
See the difference? You may not have a literary masterpiece but you do have something that's alive, exciting and more importantly, believable.
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a journalist's job is to report facts.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less The Difference between Fact and Fiction Fact. Of course. Think about that for a moment. It doesn't matter. They may be startling. When you ponder the implications of that sentence. Journalists are taught to keep themselves out of the writing – to not even call attention to the fact there's a remote observer – and tell exactly what happened. No matter how incredible or dull. it is not good fiction if it's not believable. you realize what you are up against. in a sense it is TRUER than fact. Writing is always tainted by some external influence whether it is editorial policy or public perception. Fiction is different. incredible or dull. is what happened. by definition. However incredible the events. total objectivity is almost impossible.easywaytowrite. fiction has to be believable. How often have you heard people say that something real would make a great story? And how often do you hear the counter: But no one would ever believe it! Page 82 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. as long as your story is believable. Fiction has its own rules. But that's how facts must come across – as a true representation of what actually happened. Readers aren't interested in the "truth". Even if you write about monsters and demons or aliens. One of the great rules of fiction is that EVEN IF what you're writing ACTUALLY happened. bland. they're interested in what is believable – which are completely different animals.com .
you will probably have to completely fictionalize the whole event – changing all the facts and motivations of the characters to even get close to making it seem real.com . The young writer tells of some horrendous event in their lives. it might as well not have happened.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less This is great. If the reader doesn't believe it. In writing groups this happens all the time. If you really want to get across the real horror of what happened. If it doesn't work.easywaytowrite. I hope that from this chapter you've begun to understand that what other people think of your writing is irrelevant. It's got absolutely nothing to do with other people's value judgments. it's just bad fiction. Especially when you're starting out. But that's what happened! It doesn't matter. it gives you a huge range to play in. don't you think? Conclusion I hope that by now you're beginning to see that real writing has got very little to do with what other people think. Ironic. The other writers say they didn't believe the main character's plight – it wasn't credible. The young writer is outraged and squeals. Page 83 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. The best writers are those that keep going no matter how bad they might seem at first. Don't fall into the trap of writing the truth just because it actually happened.
The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Conversely. I hope you're beginning to realize that. If nothing else. * Page 84 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. in today's world. for instance. prolific author. being a naturally good speller or grammarian. writing success requires a lot more dedication than talent. doesn't guarantee that you'll have any of the qualities necessary to become a good.easywaytowrite.com .
The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less CHAPTER FIVE Defeating the Enemy Now we're going to deal with some practical elements that might help you during your writing month. What's interesting is that the writers who really want to write seem to be able to make the time their peers have so much trouble finding.com . especially beginners. Indeed. there are tips here that will last you a lifetime! Lack of Time This is probably the single most consistent complaint you hear from writers. Let's just run through a few of the problems you might encounter and suggest ways of dealing with them: The seven most common barriers to finding writing time: * * Your day job Domestic chores Page 85 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.easywaytowrite. I guess it's about commitment – but not always.
spouses. Computer games Concentration – dealing with distractions Sports – watching or competing. to an extent. there must come a time when you say no. The trouble is. You have no choice. If you sincerely want to write. Page 86 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.easywaytowrite. you will have to deal with each of the barriers one at a time. children.the following may help.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less * * Friends / other social commitments Family. if not their entire lives being distracted from the important things! That's human nature.I have to write that book! Bearing in mind that you must allocate time – not too long but ideally every day . these things will get in the way of you ever writing. But in the writer's life. Take some time out to analyze how you spend your time and work out why these things are so time-consuming. & their commitments * * * TV. if you let them.com . There again. I would guess that all of the above have at some time got in the way of you and the important task of writing your novel. Internet. most people spend decades. this is not enough for me . relatives.
Mainly because inconsistent bursts of creativity can be counter-productive. You need to get into a productive rhythm as soon as possible to maximize the use of your time. Taking sick days off to write is not a great solution.from 6am till 7.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less The Day Job This is an obviously killer if you want to take yourself seriously as a writer. If you write once a week for instance. You should be writing every day if you can. There's a whole hour you could be writing. The trick is to put aside time. The brain seems to prefer this approach. even if it's only for an hour or two.easywaytowrite. What you're looking for is a routine. Before Work Perhaps before anyone else in the house gets up. One hour . you need to pay the rent. sure – especially if you hate your day job. Seven to eight hours of "prime" writing time wasted every day! Just think what you could achieve in that time! It can be frustrating. don't despair. Take it forcibly if you have to! Lunchtime. After work – perhaps you might stop off in a café or bar on the Page 87 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. If you're feeling stuck and wish you had more time. you'll probably spend half an hour or so just getting into the right mood to write – obviously a waste of your time. Writers generally agree it's regularity that is the key. Writing every day helps here – shortening this "adjustment" time down considerably. The fact is though.com .
have family commitments that make being unsociable every evening a sure way to annoy everyone in the house! There's always the writer's favorite: Late at night. you'll be heading for that word processor! Page 88 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. If you're young and unattached. Just don't stay up too late – or it will impact on the following day! Domestic Chores These can be good for you! Rather than trying to get out of household chores.com . It's probably not the best time to write . as soon as you're finished. There's something about repetitive physical work that can liberate the mind.when you're tired at the end of the day. when everyone else is in bed. Perhaps you're lucky and can write consistently during the evenings. But many of us do it because it's the only time available. Just for an hour or so – so that it doesn't impact too greatly on your home life. you might be able to write for three or four hours at a stretch! Most of us though. if that's an issue for you.easywaytowrite. Chances are. use the time to reflect on your work. Every time you're chained to the sink or cleaning floors or ironing.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less way home. you should welcome them.
com . You could even tell the truth. if you're hopelessly gregarious and can't bear to be alone. Laundry. DIY needs doing. However. The fact is. I've known several writers who are very sociable but who manage to find the time to write well – and quickly. hair washing. bad cold. others are not so easily put off… Family Count yourself lucky if you're single! Writers with spouses and children will tell you of the endless battles that ensue for their time. Page 89 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. My experience is that non-writers regard writing as a frivolous activity. All manner of excuses will work. not to be encouraged. the fact is you'll probably never be able to totally please a spouse or child. It doesn't matter that your family want you to stand around like a lemon. It's easy enough to put off friends for a while if you need to get some writing done. You want some time to write! However.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Friends It's very easy – too easy – to become so involved with friends you never have any time left to write.easywaytowrite. They just want you there. this is not carved in stone. being totally unproductive. Anything less is a betrayal! Unless you have very supportive family members. you might not have the right temperament to be a writer.
or appear to. I know I'm painting a dark picture. then ask them when they would prefer you to take the time. Without that. those closest to you probably don't want you to write. Everyone has seen the dedications in the front of books to partners. If they won't give you the time you want. I have dedicated the whole of the following section to this problem. you may be forced to give up. Even if they do. as I believe it is more common that most writers would like to admit. If it is tough – and it can be for fledgling writers . Most people will be reasonable. Perhaps it won't be as tough for you. Why is this? How can this be? Page 90 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. letting the people around you know just how important this is to you. Partners For some reason.com . If they dismissively suggest the middle of the night. You may have a partner who is not.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less That's why it's doubly important that you negotiate with the people around you. suggest in that case you might need to sleep in for longer. move on or end up miserable about not being "allowed" to write. they don't want you to be a success.easywaytowrite.you have to keep pressing. Writers are the first to acknowledge that it is the support of the partner that is critical to writing success.
Page 91 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.easywaytowrite.com . the next you're getting notice and respect from outsiders to the relationship. the spouse assumes you're not happy and that you really want to change some things about your life and in particular the relationship. It changes the status quo. How many times have writers heard these words? When you're rich and famous you'll: * * * * Leave me Won't want to talk to me Go off me Get a beautiful/ handsome new partner Of course. One moment you are alone for hours on end. Writing is a mysterious activity. all of these worries are mostly absurd and not something that the writer is even considering.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Because it rocks the boat. This can be an uncomfortable experience for partners who've grown used to the way things are/were and don't share your need to change things. some people seem to equate success with altering of circumstances. as though we only tolerate our lives the way they are because we're not rich and famous! I think the problem is that when writers take the time to explain to their partners that they need to write. Nonetheless.
Get in a friend to baby-sit if you have to! If there's absolutely no way you can get the time at home – and it happens that way sometimes – steal it. There are plenty of places to slink away to: * * * * Cafes Bars Libraries Parks Page 92 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. The spouse may assume that your need to write suggests that they're not fulfilling you . Whatever. you have to be strong if writing is important to you. Children are naturally selfish – they have to be.com . to survive.or that it's really your spouse that you're dissatisfied with! You should tread carefully in this area because it is important. fidelity etc.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less This reaction has more to do with the insecurity of the partner that it does about anything else. it's your turn to be selfish! Take that time.easywaytowrite. Compromise a little if you have to but do not be distracted from the main aim – to get some writing time! Children also. Reassurances may be necessary: promises of commitment. But once they're old enough to understand. will probably not understand. But no matter how guilty you feel.
your sanity will benefit from this time.com . Eventually they'll have to see how important the issue is for you. Think twice before you go on to the Internet again. even if you never write a book. Especially if it is so hard won! If your spouse or your family enquire as to your new absences. tell them it's what you've been forced to do – by their attitude.easywaytowrite. TV is the bane of our lives. Other Distractions By far the biggest time wasters though are ones we force on ourselves. Just get some alone time. Get rid of the one eyed monster! It'll change your life – for the better. visit a friend and ask if you can "borrow" a room for a while – an hour or two a day preferably. I have one piece of advice in this area. Suddenly there will be a vast gulf of spare time you never realized you had. The fact is. Uninstall them from your computer. Hide them. Who knows – you might not even miss it! Same goes for computer games. Stop putting temptation in your way. It too is a huge time waster! Page 93 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Destroy.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less * * The Beach A secluded spot in the hills! If all else fails.
it's bubbling inside the vat of your mind. Think of your writing as a fine wine or homebrew. There are other reasons for this. It's maturing. This is generally a mistake. Page 94 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.com . though they begged him to.easywaytowrite. Your imagination is the sugar and yeast that you add. it's finished. don't. gaining strength. It's the same with writing. The brewing process takes time – your ideas need to ferment. Telling in person dissipates the need to tell in writing. the subconscious mind is satisfied the story is out – and doesn't feel so compelled to write it down. While you're working on something. And everybody knows worst thing you can do to a fine wine or beer is to open the top and let in some air. The great ghost story writer MR James noted this and stopped telling his stories to his pupils. you may feel tempted to show them your writing. The message here is a simple one: Unless. He realized that if you tell your story first. Repeat: Keep it to Yourself. On Sharing your Work As a way to placate your loved ones.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Now – back to issues concerning writing.
The trouble is any comment . Until then. Criticism will distract you from your goal.com . Even positive comments are bad – they can make you concentrate on the wrong aspects of your story. each comment is death to your creativity! Page 95 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. bad or indifferent.good or bad . The point is. Other people's comments may inspire you but will also distract you from your purpose. consider your stuff unreadable! Also. it doesn't matter what other people think until they see the whole manuscript. It's very important that you and only you as the judge and arbiter of your work until it's finished. There are only three reactions a well meaning partner can come up with: * * * It's really good It's terrible It's not bad.will needle away at you and your ego. You must not let this happen.easywaytowrite. Why? Think about it. Good. remember this: The very worst person to show your writing to is your partner or a close family member.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less You may feel proud of something you've just written and want to show it off.
Like these: * If it's really good.easywaytowrite. that person will always think of your work in those terms – full of mistakes. don't ever fall into the trap of giving important people a first draft. he or she will still regard it as an example of your work. That's the way people are.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Your mind will go into mental somersaults trying to interpret the comments. how come they didn't notice the bad bits? * * If it's so terrible why should I bother? If I don't think it's bad. a friend say. And while we're on the subject. There is only one sure way to prevent all this and that is to keep your writing to yourself until it's finished! I'll give you another reason. And if it's bad. why do they? What else are they trying to say? Is it really bad and I can't see it? Do they mean it's terrible but are just trying to be nice? See what I mean? All of this mental stuff can play havoc with you when you next sit down to write. They can't help it.com . something you've just written. Imagine showing someone. Even if you tell your friend over and over that it's rough and not finished. You know it's not perfect but there's a couple of good lines. For Page 96 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. especially not a publisher or agent.
So you're already at a disadvantage. This is me talking to you.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less the reasons stated in the previous paragraph. No matter that the professional has had his manuscript edited and re-edited. Readers don't. you are in direct competition with that professional. giving you the best advice I can. proof readers and editors have been over it with a fine tooth comb – to your family. Next. don't want to write or have never given writing a thought. The trouble is. no matter what words are used.com . It is the job of the writer to place ideas into the mind of the reader. they will assume that you are in the writing. I've seen it happen. That is the measure of success. your family will judge you against a professionals' finished product. very best should do it for a living! However unfairly. Writers see words. emotions. They will take umbrage if your writing Page 97 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. And if it doesn't shape up. images. your spouse will always think they could have written your piece better than you! Never mind that they don't write. they see stories. Just so you're convinced. you probably think I'm being paranoid but this is not some dry textbook full of the standard wisdom. here's another curious phenomenon: For some inexplicable reason. you'd better beware! You see. your family has to first overcome the fact that they know you. Okay.easywaytowrite. it could blow your entire career. your loved ones think that writing is easy – and only the very. readers believe what they see on the page. that copywriters. that he himself re-wrote it twenty times.
How many words you write an hour is completely meaningless to a non-writer. it's boring. Professional writers will tell you this is pure fantasy. That all they need to do is sit at the typewriter and pure genius pours from their fingertips. As I keep on saying: Keep it to yourself! Page 98 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. modern pop singers record their songs one line at a time. For a start. and they will mentally question it. I would advise that you don't talk about the business of writing to non-writers.easywaytowrite. don't waste you breath. Your family and friends will likely regard you as pretentious if you talk about these things. Don't tell people how long it takes you to write things or how easy this and that was. Besides. You really have to be doubly good to impress your own family! Especially when you're starting out. nobody but writers are interested in the first place! So. they will still be on the look out for any gaffes that break their concentration. You see. You can't explain the business of writing to someone who doesn't do it. making sure each line is perfect – to give the illusion it was sung in one take. It is the job of the writer. Also.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less reflects a view they know you don't have.com . most readers believe good writers get it right the first time. editor and proofreader to make the final draft look like it was written effortlessly in one go! In the same way. Even if they get as far as believing your writing.
the goal is to create another you – a persona that becomes obsessed with the idea of writing it. life has a way of organizing itself to help you. Getting the right mindset may take years.com . whatever. Once you have that. For you to write a novel quickly and easily. As I've suggested before. in order to achieve this mindset. you will find the time. If you decide something is vitally important to you. you may want to use meditation. at the very least. * Page 99 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. It may take only as long as it takes to read this book. to think about your writing. It's about making a commitment to yourself.easywaytowrite. I think finding the time to write has got less to do with time management than it is about gaining the right mindset.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Mindset Despite everything you've read from me so far.and when you're not. visualization. And the easiest way to do that is simply to write – whenever you can .
As I intimated in the previous chapter. some of the people close to you may be secretly pleased that you're having trouble motivating yourself.to Page 100 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. everybody would be writing novels. Motivation isn't something you can pull out of the fridge and drink – unfortunately. psyche themselves up as it were. Some writers have it naturally.they're too tired. It takes a special kind of person to sit and write for no apparent reward. If they weren't.com . Others have to push themselves. The easiest way to write a novel is . Many writers complain about lack of motivation when it comes to their writing . or they're not inspired enough today – all kinds of excuses. Of course. You have to work at getting the motivation to write a book.easywaytowrite. Nobody really cares whether you write your novel or not. This is because I believe the two are intimately related. it doesn't matter.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less CHAPTER SIX Why Writers Fail – So You Don't Have To You'll have noticed that this book is as much about motivation as it is about writing.
Or else one that is just too lazy to learn some basic rules. well-motivated and happy writer. I believe most bad writing is rooted in fear. I've known a few. I hope that it will by the end of this book. bad writing comes from an insecure. It will also mean that they must finish something – otherwise they will feel as though they Page 101 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. good writing comes from a secure. unmotivated.com . Similarly.easywaytowrite. They're afraid that making a commitment to a project will mean hard work. and unhappy writer. Why Writing Fails As I've said. Fear of: * * * Action Failure Success Fear of Action Many writers are nervous of taking action.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less borrow a phrase from Anthony Robbins – for it to become a "magnificent obsession" for the 30 days you will spend writing it.
com . these are terrible things to say to your subconscious. What's the point? They tell themselves.easywaytowrite. They completely undermine your potential success. Don't go into writing a novel before you've learnt how it feels to finish things. or a review. This will send a powerful message to your subconscious. Nobody will like it. Even if it's just a paragraph. they're so convinced they can't finish that the prophecy fulfils itself. I've seen it happen – often. Try an article. And as we have discovered. Fear of Failure All writers fear failure.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less have failed. They can't start projects because they know deep down they can't finish them. Write a couple of short stories. if need be. I've known writers who have started half a dozen novels and never finished one. Many writers get stuck in this loop. When they do start. They may even stop you from writing at all. Done. This is tragic – and surprisingly common. Set yourself a target and don't stop until it's over. The answer is to start small. the subconscious needs these signals badly. Page 102 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Who am I kidding? As we've learnt. Very short. Some are so afraid that their writing will be bad that they can't start. It needs to be convinced you have what it takes before you start. I know what I write will be awful. thereby further undermining their confidence. They ask themselves.
easywaytowrite. I've known many creative people who are stultified by the notion that they don't deserve success – or are not the right type of person to handle it. it is far better to be blindly optimistic about your work and your capabilities than it is to be "realistic". Parents do not always mean to undermine their children's confidence or damage their self-esteem.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Remember this: In the long run. Suffice it to say. there are issues of self-worth at work here. but it seems to happen nonetheless. This book is probably not the best place to go over them. How else will you know how good your work can be unless you start and finish it! Fear of Success This seemingly bizarre phenomenon is probably not as well understood as it should be. Issues that in all probability date back to childhood. Talk of "not expecting too much from life" and a casual or indifferent attitude towards a child's creativity can cause huge problems later on in life." Page 103 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.com . It takes great strength indeed to counteract these feelings of "never being good enough. Why would anyone be afraid of success? The reasons could be many and complex.
Writing Demons There are other reasons why writers fail to achieve their goals.com .The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less I believe it's the duty of parents to encourage their children's creativity. Do I really want to do this? The answer (if you've read this far!) is probably yes. Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway. no matter how bad their efforts. If you've ever had trouble writing easily. If you are finding it hard to write then you need to ask yourself the following hard question. If you are plagued by feelings of inadequacy. I would especially recommend Susan Jeffers' book. which has a whole section on this issue. Studies have consistently shown that children do much better when they are complimented and made to feel special. it might be for the following reasons: * You've outgrown the worldview initially required for your writing. Things you should be aware of so that they don't come back to haunt you in the future. Page 104 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.easywaytowrite. I would suggest you read a few of the books I've listed at the back.
If you try to use your conscious logical side of your mind to write.com . And the subconscious is much easier to access if you are relaxed and clear. under the techniques outlined in this book. The goal is clarity of mind. Preparation As I've said before. you can effectively reprogram your mind around these problems. This is because. failure or indifference You've received an emotional shock that has sent you reeling * You're depressed and can't see the point All of these conditions are transient. By following the techniques laid in Chapter One. or simply believe that there is one and it will come. you'll take forever.easywaytowrite. the key to creativity is a relaxed mental state. you'll be using your subconscious to write your novel. Talk to yourself in positive terms. Imagine a solution.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less * * * You're trying too hard to be perfect You're afraid of success. as in the traditional image of writers. agonizing Page 105 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.
if you write on a computer. If anything. The way to do this is to write fast. Roughly 2000 to 5000 words a day – and all in an hour or two! The thing that will surprise you the most is that.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less over every word. Writing with your logical mind not only wastes your time – it's not particularly productive . Whereas you might have written two hundred words an hour before. Don't edit. At first it may seem disorientating but stick with it. It won't let you write badly. Whilst you are writing you need to switch off your conscious mind. Try it. Page 106 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. your writing won't be all that bad. Why? Because your subconscious is in control. talent and genius are superior to your logical.com . rational self. contrary to what you might expect. and don't think about anything but the next line. He suggests. The best piece of advice I've seen regarding this is in Joe Vitale's "Hypnotic Writing". that you switch off the screen.easywaytowrite. Its knowledge. If so. Let your fingers write or type automatically. What the ego needs is results – quickly. And that's what letting the subconscious do the writing will provide. don't go back. you must learn to change. this one technique can increase your output by around ten times! And this is the kind of output you will need to write a novel in 30 days or less. You may have been doing this for years and might find it a difficult habit to break.it can actually harm your creativity. It's exactly the right way to increase your output a thousand-fold.
Come up with five trigger words and write them down the left hand side of a piece of paper. These I have outlined thoroughly in Part Two. Don't go back and look at anything. just to prove what I'm saying. Of course. It's an enormously liberating experience. more in tune with the way the mind works – and one hell of a lot easier to read. Don't think too hard. there are a few things to do before you start writing.easywaytowrite.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less you might discover that you have a style different from the one you were used to. Does this idea excite you? It should. more fluid. I just wanted to give you a taste of what is to come. Say you're in a hospital and you've just woken up. Think of a scenario – a brief one. He wants to know how you got there. try this.com . Just write the whole thing first. As a quick exercise. A policeman is standing over you and he wants a statement. For instance: * * * * Accident Car Girlfriend Rain Page 107 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. The trick is to write your entire novel this way. I promise you it will be good.
Don't correct spelling mistakes or grammatical errors. If you feel that the ideas might not come. you'll easily be able to write a novel in 30 days – or even less. incorporate the next word on your list into your next sentence. Then keep going. Go for it. Just keep your fingers tapping at the keys or the pen sliding along the paper. It can be done. 200 words in ten minutes is 1200 words an hour. stop.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less * Tree Now. Whatever you do. Just keep going. take a deep breath and start writing.com . It's not bad is it? Nothing a little tweaking won't fix! Do the math. Don't stop for ten minutes. Page 108 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Do a quick scan. Say you take two days to prepare at the beginning of the month. don't stop. You should have written anywhere between 200 to 500 hundred words. At the end of ten minutes. Don't even give yourself time to think. that still leaves you with 25 days to write roughly 3000 to 4000 words a day. Trust that your subconscious will keep you writing – it will. The trick is not to stop. 500 words in ten minutes is a staggering 3000 words an hour. and three days at the end to edit. Use the first word on your list somewhere in your first sentence.easywaytowrite. If you can write like this for two hours a day.
This is a proven technology. To anyone unfamiliar with this procedure. This is a common enough technique nowadays whereby you imagine the end product of your labors.you should visualize your book as complete. this may sound premature. When your mind believes that the impossible is possible. Especially if you're one of those writers prone to blocks. calmly thinking about the book. driven. in a practice akin to what sportsmen do – visualizing your success .The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less The Power of Belief One of the exercises you should be doing at this stage is goal visualization. Imagine yourself going through the whole process of creating a novel. This is important. the sense of achievement. See yourself from the outside. then you will start to believe it too.com . brilliant and faultless. Enjoy the sense of joy and purpose and love you feel for your writing as you partake in your favorite pastime. However. Imagine the sense of pride you will feel. Do it. motivated. These feelings are all useful triggers that set the subconscious mind on fire. making notes. getting inspired.easywaytowrite. Imagine how you will feel when you hold the book in your hands and flip through its pages. typing. The best way to deal with Page 109 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.
com . This simple process works because it fools the subconscious mind into believing something different from all the negative attitudes you may have built up over the years.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less blocks is prevent them at source – by doing these kinds of exercises – before you start. we're ready to go. Hold on to your hat! * Page 110 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.easywaytowrite. Conclusion So now you have the clarity. the mindset and the motivation.
easywaytowrite. give it depth and credibility. It's hard not to get bogged down with the immensity of writing a novel. and generally help you on the way to creating a BRILLIANT novel. this information will be lost on you! So go back – and start from the beginning! The point of Part Two is to familiarize you with some of the basic rules of fiction writing. Page 111 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. it provides an easy to follow 30 day plan to getting that novel down on paper. amateur and professional. To help you understand the mechanics of getting a book from inside your head on to the page. It's simple – deceptively so – but it's effective. Especially if you've never done it before. It's system developed by talking with all kinds of writers – fiction and non-fiction. Not only that. That's why this book exists. Of course. there are tips and techniques contained from here on in that will make you writing a lot easier. I forbid you to read any further! You want to know why? The information in this part will not help you if you haven't thoroughly read Part One.com . if you've just flicked through the rest of the book to get to this point. Each step is fully explained and examples given on all technical issues. Now. without having read Part One. good and bad.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Interlude Congratulations! You made it to Part Two. But believe me.
Because only when your imaginary world becomes more important to you than your real life. you should see yourself as merely the scribe of actual events.easywaytowrite. paper and computers at the ready? Then here we go! * * Page 112 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Pens. your writing should become more real to you than your real life. Do not skip them or give them anything less than your full attention.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less After some of the exercises that follow. will you know that you have to start writing. By the time you start to write. You must do this for the sake of your novel. This is necessary. It is the way of the professional. This is good. Follow the steps carefully.com .
com .The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less PART TWO The Easy Way To Write * Page 113 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.easywaytowrite.
I thought about it for a while. just an hour… Characters.com .The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less CHAPTER SEVEN The 30 Day Formula Day One I'm assuming you'll get up early on Day One. Pretty soon you would need something more to keep the reader's interest. Characters First of all. I'm not sure how interesting all this would seem to a fiction reader. Characters. I remember a novice writer once asking me whether it was possible to have a novel without characters. It was an intriguing idea. You'll need to put in about an hour's work now. isn't there a character implied? The reader is still conscious that the information is being Page 114 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. at your PC or notebook by 6am! I hope so. That's right. even if the work is all description. You could write about plants or volcanoes or stars or any number of inanimate things. You could write about scenery – but not for very long I would guess.easywaytowrite. you need characters – before anything else. Besides.
an anthropologist.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less transmitted to him via a human observer. readers want people they can relate to. drama. or hate. More than settings. attractive. There is no point of view and no changes to report on except the colors and patterns of Nature. I have a story. there's no life to a story. Can't we start there? No. thrills or gadgets. People they like or love. Man with a limp Page 115 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.com . clever plots.easywaytowrite. Besides. twenty-four. Never. For instance: * * Girl. It should never happen the other way round. it is therefore impossible to tell a story without at least one character – the writer! The simple fact is. without characters there is no story. In that sense. Characters first – every time. On Day One take a piece of paper and write out some ideas for characters. readers want characters more than anything else. First and foremost. Some novices may be complaining now. Without characters. Your characters dictate the story. I suspect. Without characters your novel would be a short work. a plot already.
black. develop them. suave And so on. you might have a highly Page 116 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. unique ways that they do things. distinguishing features. like: * * * * A stutter A fear of heights A medical condition An odd religious persuasion If you don't have any ideas. Do you know anyone adventurous. gregarious. rather than showing what we're really like. or shy? What makes these characters intriguing? Is it a combination of things? Probably. Give them foibles. Most interesting characters – especially in fiction .The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less * Doctor. think of people you know and the character traits you like or have impressed you. Modern fiction is about creating people we might like to be.com .easywaytowrite. You may already have ideas for characters. If so. middle-aged. Make them larger than life if you can. timid. For example.seem contradictory on the surface.
Do this for an hour or so until you have perhaps a half dozen you're happy with. soldiers. brothers. friends. Try not to think along your normal lines – keep pushing. accountants.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less moral character with a weakness for brandy. Only when the characters are beginning to take shape in your mind. Pick a surname here and a christian Page 117 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.com . in concrete form – so don't do it too soon. fathers. Make sure your characters deserve a name before you give them one! If you have trouble thinking of names. killers. look them up in the White Pages.think only about characters.anywhere. should you give them names. All sorts of them: heroes. Think: How far can I take this person? How complex can I make them? When do they stop being believable? Remember: don't think of stories or plots at all at this stage . dictators. businessmen. Anything you like – have fun inventing people.easywaytowrite. Or a complete hedonist with a heart of gold. or the Bible . mothers. villains. and hated enemies. sisters. bad people. Do this too early on and you might limit your imagination – you tend to think of people you already know with those names. Names should help to make your characters come alive.
Being oblivious to this fact is no defense in a court of law. fat. good looking or ugly? Some writers use pictures torn from magazines to help them visualize their characters. Imagine what they might be good at – and what their failings are. write out potted CVs for your characters. Make your characters real.com . think about their physical appearances. Don't choose real names if you can help it – you never know who you might accidentally offend! People who have the same name as your characters – especially famous people – are quite within their rights to sue you for damages if they think you have deliberately tried to defame them. Try not to think in terms of cliché. Close your eyes and try to visualize them. thin. Others prefer to use their imagination. Go as far as giving them birthdays. family and strangers? Where would they go on holiday? What food do they like? What clothes would they wear? What would their homes be like? You can never know too much about your characters.easywaytowrite.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less name there. Next. What are their professions? Their hobbies? Their interests? Describe them in detail – a page of notes for each person. Are they tall. favorite colors and lucky numbers. What are their relationships like? How do they get on with friends. their particular distinguishing features. Page 118 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. If it helps.
revenge.to make the characters completely believable to you.com . You probably won't use half the detail you're compiling now but it is important that it's there.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less You don't have to go over the top but the point is – at this stage . what is it that my characters want? Are they looking for love. your characters will be at odds with each other at some stage. money.easywaytowrite. Ask yourself. sex. Are they ambitious? Were they scarred by an event in their childhood? Have they been hurt in love? Or are they simply driven to be heroic? Agendas Ideally. you must give your characters: * * * * Motivation Agendas Traits that aid or belay them Potential Motivation You need to know what drives your characters. or a quiet life? Their agendas may Page 119 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Most of all. Readers like to take it for granted that you know your characters well even when you don't describe all the details to them. power. in your mind.
But it is important that you think hard about this. Page 120 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less be complex.com . your characters should have the potential for change – either for great good or perhaps evil. where the characters might go given certain information. how they might change given certain events. It's up to you. and can keep them hooked. you have to make known to the reader quickly that a character has something they need to do. a character is usually not interesting enough for a reader – and they will put your book down. It's a promise you make to the reader that your novel will deliver. At the beginning of a novel. This helps your reader to identify with a character in a few seconds. It is up to you to signal that your characters are capable of much more. Traits Do your characters have traits that help them – or hinder them .easywaytowrite. readers should be able to see.in their agendas? For instance. or want to do. Ideally. It's what makes characters come alive. But without sufficient motivation and an agenda. Readers nowadays expect the characters to grow within the plot. idealistic or self-defeating. does Cathy's fitness regime help her to escape a mugger? Is Tom's career path thwarted by his propensity for alcohol? Is the killer afraid of spiders? Potential Most of all. or at least try to guess.
Would they argue? Would their agendas clash? If one of your characters would completely destroy another's chances of fulfilling their own agenda. with affection.com . think through this carefully. Let them live and breathe. Your character's motivations must be strong yet believable. Imagine conversations they might have. Watch them and get to know them well. Do something else.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less So. Think about them – as you might old friends. they must be instantly recognizable as real people. laugh and cry. and their agendas should be powerful and intriguing. Now. Have fun. you're on the way to creating compelling fiction.go for: Interactions Choose 2 to 6 of your characters and get them to interact. Imagine them acting and reacting to the things that make up their lives. Maybe you need to get off to work now anyway. Go for a walk or do some housework. Later on in the day. take a break from writing.easywaytowrite. Page 121 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. As you go about your business. when you're ready – and you'll know when . let your characters slowly solidify in your mind.
However. With just a few words. All well and good. you get to know them even better. Things like: * * * * * What if John did that? How would Donna react? Why did her friend Elsie look embarrassed? Why didn't Doctor Monroe seem surprised? Was Detective Judith Ross suspicious? Even if you have no inkling of a story yet. Also. Page 122 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. and who is weak. It will help you. And give you ideas to explore. You get to know who is strong. Little snatches of dialogue can be helpful – especially if they're dramatic and emotionally charged. ask this type of question. Keep asking yourself questions. Put your characters through their paces. You don't have to write things down if you don't need to. you can get a feel very quickly for the relationships your characters will develop. Who is charming. Team them up and make them do outrageous and absurd things.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less This exercise can be mental.easywaytowrite.com . Dialogue is good at this stage because it's fast. you may want to. and who is brash and insensitive.
scared? Imagine.easywaytowrite. just ways in which your character might interreact to create compelling situations. How do they act – are they shy. * * How would Paul feel if Barry mugged him? How would Pete deal with being sent into space with Erin? Try to imagine your characters interacting with real people. certain interactions might suggest lines of story. their conversations. inspired.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less * * * What if Dick and Janet held up a bank? Could they do it – and get away with it? What if they joined the circus? Even if you think your story will have nothing to do with these things.com . How would it progress? Would it end badly or end well? Imagine all the possible scenarios involving your favorite characters. Not plot at this stage. or write down. Your friends perhaps or famous people now and from history. Imagine you're collecting scenes for possible inclusion in a long Page 123 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. By now. ask the questions anyway! Keep asking.
It could be nothing. a vague certainty that a character must experience this or that.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less running serial.com . Get to know all your characters in this way so that you always know how they will react with each other.you should wake up with the tiniest. turn out the light and close your eyes. twinkling germ of an idea. At the end of the day. Trust it. When you're ready. depending on your imagination. Go with it. Then go to sleep. This process may take anything from an hour to the whole day. Nothing overly complex – just an idea. Page 124 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Relax and tell yourself you'd really like to wake up with an idea for a story. review your notes for a few minutes. just a feeling. or soap opera. time and confidence level. Day Two With a bit of luck – and perhaps the residue of a dream . before you go to sleep.easywaytowrite. It's your all-powerful subconscious talking! * * Des must overcome his phobias to defeat his nemesis Jessica falls in love with her brother's murderer.
Free Association Spend the day thinking through situations – and see how far you can push them. South America. Make the brothers Kings or Captains of Industry. How would events appear to someone else? A wife of one of the brothers. Imagine how a natural disaster might impinge on it. As possible story lines suggest themselves to you. or make them small time hoods. A city. Make them dramatic and exciting.com . place your characters in different settings.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Anything is good as a starting point. Make them richer or poorer. Try changing the historical perspective. Then try changing certain aspects of possible stories. The postman. Page 125 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Raise the stakes. Australia. Try to see the scenarios from every angle. See how the setting affects various scenarios that might occur to you. the country. Add weight to the characters. If your story is about a fight between two brothers over their recently departed father's property. try to imagine all sorts of scenarios. or some other seemingly unrelated event. India. too. See how far you can go with each of your ideas. Then make it bigger. Not just the one.easywaytowrite. For example. on Mars perhaps. a journalist. more villainous or more moral.
Real people that readers believe in. Keep going with this kind of lateral thinking until you find your mind continuously returning to an idea you like the most. until the ultimate idea has solidified in your mind.easywaytowrite. This kind of focus forces your mind to supply you with a story – and often a very good one. I'm just saying that for now. Plotting It's about now you might still be thinking about that plot of yours – the one you've been carrying around for years.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Do strange and silly things like turning the characters into animals. Keep on asking questions. if you force a plot onto characters. The trouble with plots is that characters don't like them – at least they don't like them if they didn't think of them! Consequently. You'll end up stuck. Page 126 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. until you're absolutely sure your story could not be told in any other way. The lifeblood of fiction is people. I promise you. developing angles.com . you should hold it in reserve – for perhaps another book. It's important that you decide on Day Two that you will come up with a story. I'm not suggesting that you throw it away. it won't work.
It is one of the spooky things about writing that you can't force characters to play out a plot they're not comfortable in. And if they're not happy.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less It doesn't matter how smart and clever your plot is. It assumes fictional characters have a life of their own. Bang! Suddenly you find your character won't play along. You try again. let me tell you right now. your character's performance has become wooden and unconvincing. No matter what you do. Your character is saying: "I'm sorry but I just wouldn't do that. That's the truth of it." Page 127 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Writers always talk about this and a novice may find it either amusing or strange.easywaytowrite. You're half way through a novel – approaching a plot point that is crucial to the story. It doesn't work. Well. You must let your characters define their own actions and interactions and let the plot grow naturally from there. he's squirming with embarrassment as you try and squeeze him into a hole that's the wrong size for him. if the people playing it out aren't convincing. or start again. In truth. they do.com . It's at this point that you have to give up. they'll be the first to let you know! It happens like this. When you write a novel – or any kind of fiction for that matter – you must start with the characters first. You write out the scene. readers will simply not want read your book.
David Brockwith. you don't want to go down this road! I would guess that all professional writers have been there at some point. He's a gifted artist but has never found a way of Page 128 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. "START" in the bottom left hand corner and "FINISH" in the top right. Honestly." Think about their motivations and their agenda. Pick a character – your favorite – and write their name just up from "START. take a large sheet of paper – preferably A3 . let's go for it.com . is an assistant buyer for a large toy manufacturing company. He's bored with his life and craves excitement. Do it right the first time! Now we're clear on that. It's horrible! Don't fall into the trap. Draft a Plot On the evening of the second day.easywaytowrite. For instance.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Then you have to go through to the agony of going back to another point in the novel and working forward to the plot point again – only to find the character is still sitting there stubbornly refusing to move. 24.and write.
Making your way up across the page. Page 129 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. is a model. Think about what might happen. He idolizes Paul Gauguin and wishes he had the courage to give up his job and follow his dream. David gets too drunk to drive and Julie reluctantly offers to drive him home. David meets Julie. 19. you might next write. She has dreams where she believes she remembers him. She wants to know why he abandoned her. They hate each other but you know they were made for each other. They hate each other on sight. you might write. What would bring them together? Later. She was adopted when she was very young and is now desperate to find her real father. Crash. the two are introduced. Julie Rand.com . In this scenario. a truck overturns in front of them. They crash and narrowly escape death. She's beautiful but doesn't particularly think she is.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less making any money at it.easywaytowrite. At a party of a mutual friend. Her guardians intimated that her mother died in mysterious circumstances. On the way. They are taken to the hospital together. at the bottom left of the page.
David draws man. if at all possible. In the morning. You don't need to write out everything. If you get stuck. Set as many obstacles as you can in front of your protagonists efforts. If you start running out of paper.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less In the middle of the night. the barest skeleton of the plot is sufficient. Page 130 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. If need be. intensifying the action as you go. he shows it to Julie. You get the idea. You can flesh things out later. David is awake – he'd gone to find her. This is a rough draft of your story. she cries excitedly. You're making it up as you go along. consider taking out earlier scenes that don't progress the action. But keep the action focused towards the goal – the FINISH.com . It's him. David draws a picture. start again or scribble out bits that don't work. He sees the man but is too shy to speak to him. Keep working your way up to the top right hand corner. Julie recognizes father.easywaytowrite. whatever that might be. from memory. don't be afraid to make mistakes. At this stage. It's my father! The next thing you might write is. a mysterious man visits Julie while she's asleep. draw in subplots that might not be important but which appeal to you. When he's gone. At this stage. so don't worry.
com . let alone read. Telling stories from multiple points of view where actions and time overlap can be very confusing to write. This is the one I would recommend for the novice. Besides. Most stories are told in this linear fashion. There are various story types. where each action is dependent or resulting from the last. Stories that require flashbacks are rare – and should be used with caution. I would stick with something relatively simple. Either way. the reader has to feel there was some point in being told the story – more on this later.easywaytowrite. One sequence follows another in a logical time frame. For the purposes of your 30day novel however. The reason for this is logic – it's the way the mind works. Readers generally hate it when a flashback is used to justify a plot point that has been deliberately withheld. the way the brain likes to be told stories. people are so used to TV and movies now.and will regard any other way as obscure.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Types of Plot The most common type of plot is linear – that is. sequentially . Here are a few: Page 131 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. It can come across as a cheap trick – or a stroke of brilliance. it's sequential. It's most satisfying when the outcome of the story is loaded with meaning or revelatory in some way. they expect stories to be told in a certain way – that is. depending on the skill of the writer! There are numerous other types of plot.
The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less * * * * * * * * * The Learning experience The Moral The Quest The Comeuppance The Consequences of good/ evil actions Turmoil and Resolution Action / adventure Literary Meandering Mystery / Thriller / Suspense It will be up to you to decide which type of story you are telling.easywaytowrite.com . all of which have their own rules. Genres There are also various genres. A detailed look at each is beyond the scope of this book (and may be subject of the next!) Here's a quick overview of the genres you might choose from (even though I'm convinced genres actually pick authors). That's okay. Page 132 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Sometimes you might not be able to easily categories yours.
See if there's a dominant type of novel there. Most writers read voraciously and tend to gravitate towards certain genres. The type of novel you write will probably reflect the type of novel that you read.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Romance Horror Science Fiction Fantasy Supernatural Crime Thriller Erotica Mystery Medical Action Adventure Military Historical Literary Mainstream Sagas Children's Young Adults Of course there are various sub genres and now.com . what is becoming increasingly popular cross-genre (with writers) where one or more elements of a genre overlap into another. Look at your book collection. Page 133 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.easywaytowrite.
Admittedly. Go where you feel you know the ground. It'll be something you understand and are comfortable with.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less There is? My advice is go with that. Some writers say they write better when they just make it up as they go along.com . and even a few professionals don't bother with. It's important you keep it focused – and that you stick to your intentions. Final choices before the big one: * When should I start my novel? Soon. doctor shows or soaps? Maybe you like Science Fiction.easywaytowrite. your story may go off track. Without a few guiding principles. All of the above was about making choices. Whatever. Page 134 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. this is something that most novice writers. but not until you've read the rest of this section! Defining your Goals While the plot is still fresh in your mind. This is crucially important to your novel. soon. it's important to write down a few goal statements that you can keep beside you while you're writing. If you're not sure. Do you like mystery. think about what TV shows you like.
The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Whilst the technique might be good for certain individuals – like Stephen King. Try to keep them short. In answer to the first question you might write. What's my book about? What's the overriding theme? What does the story prove? Write out the answers to these questions. Page 135 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. 1. It's much easier to write a novel if you have asked yourself these three simple questions before you start. 3. Pin them up over your writing area so that you are reminded of them throughout the book writing process. I've known many writers that complain that they start out okay – get about a third of the way into their novel and then have to stop because they realize they don't what their story is about! So.easywaytowrite. first things first. Connie must escape her evil husband to save her daughter's life. 2. I think most of us would go off the rails very quickly without some kind of plan.com .
It will help you to focus. Page 136 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. For instance: Jack sets out on a quest to find his wife's killer and discovers.000 words.com . After 50.read them and be sure that they have weight.easywaytowrite. they stop. or shed new light on this old chestnut? Believe me. Most times. though it's been made a million times. substance and credibility. to his horror. You must not let this happen to you! It is imperative that you can have your vision set in stone before you write the first word! Therefore. Now – write a one-sentence synopsis of your story. The book proves there is hope in the world. You can make your sentence longer if needs be. that it was his father. So. probably yes. they will come back to haunt you – especially if and when you're having a block. Is there anything you can do to put a new angle. Is the point worthwhile? On balance. it's very important to ask yourself these questions now. The biggest single reason writers give up on their books is that they've lost sight of their original vision. disillusioned with their work and with writing itself. you might say your book is about love defeating evil. If you don't. telling the story doesn't seem so important anymore.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less In answer to the second question. ask yourself the questions above and write down your answers. but keep to the "onesentence" rule. they stop and agonize – often for months or years.
Girl wants to find herself . you must abandon them . Power corrupts the businessman .they won't. Remember that everything in your story must be character driven.or go back to stage one – because you haven't fully finished your character analyses. Whatever you do. They'll get worse as the plot becomes all the more complex.and lives to regret it. If they are .and seeks revenge for being savagely beaten. Think about your plot in relation to these statements. No events must transpire that are out of character. write down the central idea in one or two sentences. No more than a paragraph. Like: Man kills wife out of jealousy .no matter how interesting or quirky. don't plough on regardless and think things will work themselves out .com . Too many writers make this fundamental error.easywaytowrite. I repeat: Don't start writing until you know what your novel is about! Page 137 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Also.but he learns to love again.
The decision is finally yours but remember – you have to stick with it! If you don't. Problems arise when there's critical information to be relayed and the protagonist is not in a position to hear of it. However. I'm not sure that's true. It's assumed by some that novices find first person stories easier to tell. It can be limiting to have only one viewpoint.com . There are many schools of thought here. where the "I" character isn't aware of action he doesn't directly experience. Decisions It's about now you'll be coming to grips with how you are going to tell your story. especially when the majority of the action in centered around one "heroic" character.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Decisions. From one person's point of view? That is. following the hero? From multiple points of view? Where action and drama can occur outside of the hero's knowledge? But where the reader is always involved? Perhaps your story will be told in the first person. Multiple viewpoints are common because that's how TV and movies tell stories. especially if the plot is complex. it can be entertaining for the reader – especially if your main character is interesting and fun.easywaytowrite. you might end up having to start the book again! * Page 138 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Readers are comfortable with this type of storytelling.
the reader has a sixth sense. Don't guess what the inside looks like. offices and houses where you're going to place your actions. Think about the little details. Readers are very astute. If necessary. conversely if you don't know your subject. They'll know you're faking it. even if you don't describe it. They want authors to get the details right.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Where is the Story Set? You will also about this time be getting a good idea where you are going to set your story. It's also a good idea to know the places you'll be writing about. Page 139 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Have a look. whatever. But. Make notes about your likely locations. It's a good idea to have this clear in your mind. but it's true. What's the weather like at certain times of the year? What time does the sun go down in midsummer? How much traffic is there at any one time? What kind of wildlife is there? Check out any of the buildings.easywaytowrite.com . your setting. your readers will somehow know you know. If they can tell you've never been to the place you're describing – and the tiniest of details missed can give you away – you've lost them. Quite how this works I don't know. Hemingway once said that if you know all about a subject. draw maps so you know how to get around.
Page 140 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. sympathetic characters right from the start Tense and dramatic situations Resourceful characters that have an agenda at odds with their circumstance * * * Obstacles to the characters' success Drama and conflict that intensifies A final dénouement and/or a satisfying close. For now. Now is the time for some jealously guarded secrets… The Six Killer Rules for Creating Fiction Later we'll talk about how to create compelling fiction on every page of your novel.easywaytowrite. you must have these ingredients: * * * Involving. Things that don't seem to matter while you're writing have a nasty habit of biting you back later! Of course.com . you have free rein to describe what you like. I want to give you an overview of what makes good fiction work. you must be consistent and believable. If you want to write a brilliant novel.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less The details are important – even if you don't describe them. But here too. if you're writing fantasy or science fiction.
Day Three Up nice and early today? Good. you won't go far wrong in your fiction. Page 141 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Next to Number 1. You'll need some kind of outline now.com . write what happens at the beginning. If you're using a computer so much the better – this sheet will become the template for your novel. copying it from your plot diagram. Take a sheet of A4 and write the numbers 1 to 10 down the left hand side. I think it's essential that the story come from you. it's time to introduce you to… Designing a Template – or The 10 Step Plot Trick When you're sure your story will work. It's time to start. I've deliberately left the most creative part – that is. coming up with the story – to you. If you always bear them in mind.easywaytowrite. get out your A3 plot diagram and put it beside you.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less It might be an idea for you to print off these instructions and place then in your writing area. So. you're ready to start. unaided! Now.
7. has been murdered. 3. Killer revealed – it's a cop. 1. 5. 9. 1. 9.easywaytowrite. 4. has been murdered. For example. Police try to arrest Mark. Mark discovers his wife. 6. 8. 7. 6. Mark and Sally defeat the bad guy Then go back and fill in the critical plot points that move your story forward. Mark discovers his wife. June. They pursue mystery killer. Page 142 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. They unravel chain of evidence. 3. write down what happens at the end. 2.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less At Number 10. 5. Mark finds her – nearly dead. 10. 4. Mark meets Sally. he escapes. June. 2. Sally kidnapped. 8.com . Car chase through Manhattan.
and it still makes sense. Actually. ten points is just a starting place. You might want to expand the whole process and draw diagrams and flowcharts and the like.no more. It moves from one point to the other like the words that flow one after the other in a sentence. or maybe only 3 or 4. Mark and Sally defeat the bad guy. Telling a story is sequential. one word after the next. Your writing progresses in a linear way. Keep it simple. Just enough so that you know what's happening. Use short phrases . But you get the idea. you're probably on to a winner. This is also a very good way of seeing if your story actually works. They confuse the mind. Surely that's how you should make sense of your ideas. Page 143 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Key triggers you will use to keep you on track. I know lots of writers do those relational bubble graphs – where they brainstorm all the connections and relationships between the characters and their actions.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less 10.easywaytowrite. one sentence at a time. To me there is a very good reason for not doing them. If you can break down a story to its critical elements.com . but I wouldn't. You may end up with 12 critical steps or 20 or 30.
using your diagram if you need to. Also.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less A sheet of jumbled circles. Keep events and plot points in the right order. every time. But use the file as the actual template for the book. crisscrossing lines and text does nothing to help you actually write you novel. It just proves you have a complex idea. usually just under where you're writing. The trick.com .sequentially. whenever you're wondering where the story should go next – you have it already on your screen. or it's not working. That way. You can pin this up or save it as a file. simply start again. you should have about 2 or 3 pages of a plot outline. It will come in handy later on when you need to write a synopsis of your novel. You are merely building a framework on which to hang your novel.easywaytowrite. That way – you're always going to be in control. rename it and keep it separate. get the story to make sense . is to simplify. Page 144 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Write notes that link the key events. By the end of this process. Don't overdo it. Use short phrases again that will trigger your intentions when you write. If you don't like it. Filling in the Gaps Take your template and start making quick notes in between the critical plot points.
scenes. From here on in. the novel is merely a formality. All that you're doing is filling in the gaps. However. it's all fun! So stop worrying and start enjoying being a writer! The Opening Gambit Early on at the start of your novel. In a sense.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less This can be enormously comforting when you're writing – knowing that the book is. you'll need to establish mood. things are different now. setting and context. More importantly. written. it's what writers have been doing for centuries. They like to know what's going on immediately. It is therefore critical that your readers like your characters. if you've done everything I've suggested up until now. a theme and a point to prove. you've done the hard work. Bravo.easywaytowrite. you have to make the reader care.com . and who it's happening to. Readers are more sophisticated than they used to be and consequently get bored of too much description. in effect. Page 145 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. You have everything you need: characters. Steady… The fact is. Traditionally. a plot. Ready.
I. S. this one especially.easywaytowrite. Jack heard the news of his father's death but couldn't believe it. Next. sobbing. It's a simple way to remember the golden rules for introducing characters. Consider the following opening lines: Jane pulled her collar up against the pounding rain.E.com . You want to make the reader think. you need more than pure sympathy. is an acronym for Sympathy.E. She pulled the car to a halt. Drama and Empathy. Page 146 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. He hated dentists.D. When you start writing.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Creating involving and sympathetic characters that grab your readers' attention from the first page is probably easier than you think. Place them in a position that the reader can relate to immediately. Almost from the first sentence you must try to evoke sympathy for your character.I. It's a case of what you focus on when you first introduce them. Identification. try this: Get Them on your S.D.
The reader doesn't want your characters to be passive.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Yes.com . For instance.easywaytowrite. The drill felt large in his mouth – too large. Something like. before he or she loses interest and gets bored! In this context. you'll want your reader to quickly identify with the character. He has a ringside seat. as it were. but the memory proved elusive. Jane knew she shouldn't be out in the rain. wiping mascara from her cheek. most likely in the next couple of lines. I would do that. That's like me. In short. Now you need to involve the reader in some drama. Her mother would have a fit. universal emotion or activity. To do this you'll need to introduce a common. See what I mean? The reader has been forced into the middle of the action. Jack tried to focus on his father's face. that's how I would react. drama can be defined as the character interacting with their environment. The woman looked in the rear-view mirror. Page 147 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. The reader wants them to take action.
perhaps to shock. To do this. Writing about anti-heroes can make your work doubly hard to consume for one simple reason. you want your reader to feel they are completely in tune with your hero. most readers want heroes. You've tricked your reader into having sympathy and identifying with him. She stomped along the wet street in the direction of the school. they won't care what happens to them. He began to squeeze.E. Empathy Within a short space of time. Which brings us to the final element of S. we are clearly dealing with an unsympathetic character.com .I. If your reader doesn't like your characters. Suddenly.D. and are rooting for him or her.the woman drove on. In the case of the last line. perhaps a killer.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less It was no use.a little better anyway . Jack pounded the table and picked up the phone to call Annie. This is okay once in a while. That's okay. However. Jane decided. the man grabbed the dentist around the throat. Satisfied she looked better . add a little something to your character that will warm the Page 148 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. She was going to have to look for him.easywaytowrite.
back to the places she loved. Or at least something that makes your character seem deeply human and likable. Didn't you feel yourself being drawn in with just a few words? Your chief job is to force the reader read on. The son she would gladly die for. He heard Annie's voice. this kind of formulaic writing might seem like a cheap trick to you. so fast he couldn't speak.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less reader's heart. Especially if you don't make it obvious. But the fact is.easywaytowrite. Jane looked up at the tall rain-spattered building. The tears came then. Her son was in there somewhere. It's important. She drove into her hometown. think how you are going to open your novel the biggest and best way you can. For instance.com . He needed help – badly. Okay. Some readers – Page 149 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. The man quickly released his grip. It was happening again. And to do that nowadays you need to use every trick in the book! This book! Before you go to bed tonight. it works. back to sanity.
easywaytowrite. Just before you leave the starting blocks.E. Q.D. is another little acronym to help you remember what you need for creating compelling fiction on every page of your novel.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less especially agents and publishers . you're ready to roll.D.D.com . stands for: Question Empathy Drama Page 150 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Q. I want to teach you something else that is guaranteed to turn an average novel into a brilliant novel – every time! Writing – Q.E. If so.will only ever read your opening paragraph! Day Four Hopefully you've negotiated with your family and friends and loved ones and managed to set aside an hour or two for your writing every day for at least the next 25 days.E.
At the beginning of a new sheet of paper. What question am I going to place in the readers mind on this page? You must have one – it's what makes the reader keep reading. Empathy is crucial too. Their own Commentator is kept busy dealing with your character's problems rather than their own – which is why reading is still so popular. a reader will simply get bored and not read on. It is the hallmark of all good fiction writers. Not only is it important that you create empathy for your characters early on. When readers read fiction they are asking themselves a series of questions about your characters and about your story.com . Without constantly stoking curiosity. it's probably because you're not keeping them human enough to be compelling. But you should be aware that if you feel your characters slipping away from you. ask yourself. We looked at this.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Questions encourage people to look for answers. by the way.easywaytowrite. Hopefully the actions that your characters make will take care of some of this. Only when you satisfy your reader by feeding questions and later on providing answers will the reader feel entertained. A reader's total empathy with a character can be powerful. you will also need to keep reinforcing it as you go. To create a hero that is credible Page 151 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.
delete all the verbiage and static writing and move off again – this time at high speed! Imagine you're a soap opera writer where every scene counts. for the time they are reading. or series of novels. It's the way of modern fiction. People want to be entertained. the reader is totally in the your thrall and will trust you to take him further. If you find yourself wandering from the point and nothing in particular is happening.easywaytowrite. On TV and at the movies. conflict and drama. There are a hundred ways to do that but most of them involve action. Use it consciously. They only know what they like and that is. they like being your lead character. It's important that you create drama.com . conflict and tension at least once on every page.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less and popular is the goal of most leading authors. It's just not necessary. cut back to where the last piece of conflict was. and every exchange is emotionally charged. At the beginning and ending of every new page ask yourself: Page 152 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. D is for Drama again. Readers want to be thrown into the thick of things immediately. Because once you've done that. When it's done well. But they've seen it all before. Lastly. You don't need long explanations or descriptions of things they are familiar with. you can take your readers almost anywhere. on the adventure that is your novel. Readers rarely spot that you're doing it deliberately. Try not to sink into melodrama – but be aware that you're writing primarily to entertain.
The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less
Q.E.D? Have I fulfilled the three requirements of compelling fiction? If the answer is yes then you're on the way to becoming the next bestseller writer!
Setting: The Other Character Novice writers tend to forget that setting can not only enhance your writing but also give it depth and a whole personality of its own. In most novels, the action is just as important as where its taking place. Try to think of setting as "the other character", when you're writing your scenes. This helps you to focus on it and give it adequate treatment. You don't need to say much. It's surprising how much readers pick up from just a couple of well placed words and phrases. It is also a useful tool for mood enhancement. Try not to be heavy handed with the symbolism. Lightning cracks at critical moments. Sunshine at the end of a book. That sort of thing. They're clichés. No mention at all of scenery and surroundings is usually not enough. Always remember to say something about the setting. If nothing else, it's a useful way of breaking up dialogue!
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The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less
Day Five When you're writing, monitor your word count. Keep a record of it. Set targets. Get to know what you can expect of yourself and remember to write fast! That way you get to stop quicker when you've reached your goal. Don't beat yourself up if you don't make the targets. Some days you'll do better than others. Some days you might not write at all. Just stay focused and don't lose site of the fact you must return to your writing desk – as soon as you are able. Long gaps, as in more than 24 hours, between writing stints are definitely to be avoided.
Day Six Automatic writing I believe the term "Stream of Consciousness Writing" was first coined by Hunter S Thompson, the famous gonzo journalist. He too, discovered that writing quickly - basically without thinking was the best and easiest way to write a lot quickly. He developed this technique on the political campaign trails he used to report on. He didn't have time to take proper notes or even have a proper desk to write from. He wrote on campaign buses and in hotel rooms. The interesting thing about his reports is that they are extraordinarily detailed. You really get a feel for what it must have been like
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The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less
following around these obsessed politicians as they wheel and deal their way around the country. The other remarkable aspect of Thompson's work is that, despite the apparent speed with which it was written, it's quite literary. It gives a lie to the idea that writing fast is tantamount to writing badly. It seems as though actually the opposite is true. The good news then is, if you trust your subconscious and you don't concentrate too hard - letting the words and ideas flow - the writing is better! Perhaps it should be more accurately called stream of subconsciousness, because it requires no more effort that you sitting down and typing. No need for worry, talent or inspiration. Switch off and plug into your back-brain. It knows best. So keep going. Don't look back at anything. Write and write without thinking about the writing. Think only about the story and where it's going. Let your mind wander. Try not to think of the mechanics of getting the words out. At this stage spelling mistakes or slips of the fingers don't matter. Keep going. It gets easier with practice.
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What follows is a list of fundamental mistakes that writers make. lack of focus. I prefer to think that writing is actually 99% technique – and that it can be learned and taught.com . I've tried to include as many as I can in this book. making value judgments. Page 156 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. There is no mystery involved here. Writing is 1% inspiration. They studied their craft. You've heard that one of course. They knew it so well. no special powers. 3. Look at the great artists in history. there's no reason why you shouldn't create highly acceptable fiction. Author's voice – intruding in to the text.easywaytowrite. Leonardo. in modern fiction writing there are some very simple rules. to make it work in their hands. Homer. they knew how to bend it like putty. Fortunately. so that you'll never need to go anywhere else. The Ten Deadly Sins 1. If you avoid these traps. Self indulgence – flowery language.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Day Seven to Day Ten Technique. 2. and 99% perspiration. Michelangelo. Shakespeare. Telling – has its place but showing is better.
The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less
Lack of place – where the setting is indistinct. Place is the other character!
5. 6.
POV switches – results in reader confusion. Cliché – when you can't be bothered to think of something better.
Unsympathetic characters – publishers' frequent complaint.
8. 9. 10.
Woolly plotting – where nothing advances the story. Cheap tricks – like withholding crucial information. Lack of love for your characters. If you don't, who will?
Keep these rules in mind as you write. And don't forget to write fast. Have fun too. Make your scenes big and memorable. Come in with a bang and go out with a dotted line. Be dramatic, provocative, witty, clever, but most of all, make the drama and conflict sparkle. Like the best sex - do it with love and you'll do it well.
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The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less
Day Eleven to Day Fourteen You've sat at your desk, ready to go. You know that if you keep on writing 3000 to 5000 words a day, you'll have your novel finished in less than a couple of weeks now. Easy. So… Why don't you feel like writing? There could be lots of reasons. Probably the one that's uppermost in your mind is the sheer enormity of the task in front of you. You've written a lot and it seems as though you have so much more to do! Take heart.
Everything is possible if you break it down into small enough pieces. Don't aim too high. If you're having trouble with a large complex section, cut and paste small pieces of it to other blank documents. Try not to think of the whole thing. Just the next line, the next paragraph, the next interaction or the end of the current chapter. Small successes will eventually drive you on to the larger goal. Fear will end in failure and misery. Don't take on too much in one go. Relax and enjoy it.
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The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less
Remember the golden rule: Don't think. Write.
Day Fifteen to Day Nineteen Here's a useful tip. Before you start a writing session, do this simple meditation exercise. It works wonders. Close your eyes, relax and breathe deeply three times. Then say to yourself: With every word I write I become more calm, confident and creative.
Say it three times, with feeling. Imagine you are typing or writing quickly, fluidly, smiling to yourself with the simple pleasure of it all. Trust your subconscious. Tell yourself you won't question the wisdom of the subconscious. That you won't question what you write - yet. Let go. When you open your eyes you'll simply walk to the PC or your notebook and just write – without even thinking.
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if you're really struggling with your output at this stage. They'll know they're capable of finishing the task but that they will need more time actually writing. You need to be clear and fresh when you write – so pick appropriate times.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Day Twenty to Day Twenty Three Remember to keep your mind and body healthy. Keep pushing.easywaytowrite. don't despair. Don't lose sight of the goal. When you're not writing go for pleasant walks or trips to relaxing places – like art galleries and libraries. It doesn't work that way.000 to 40. Four to six hours on a Saturday and Sunday could boost your output to 25. Don't expect you'll be able to go out with your mates on a Friday night and you'll be fine to write in the morning. You have a couple of alternatives. Perhaps renegotiate with those around you and put in twice the writing time over a weekend.com . Fair enough. though. Day Twenty Four Okay. You're almost there now –just a few more days to go! Don't think. Some writers at this point will put in some extra work. both of which are valid. Write.000 words in one Page 160 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.
easywaytowrite. you should have finished or nearly finished your first draft. they're so far away from it. Take a day off to relax. Now. there's a school of thought that says you should put your first draft away for a few weeks or months to get some distance from it.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less fell swoop. Don't take too long though. Perhaps a couple of days. come back to this section when you have. I'm never sure this is good advice. I've known many writers who've done this and never come back to their manuscripts. To recharge your batteries or get your head clear again. if you really don't think you can achieve the requisite word count. they don't know where to start! Page 161 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.com . Imagine the 30 day clock is frozen and you will start it again the next time you come back to write. Day Twenty Five Phew! All being well. or a week. then by all means take a break. If they do. take a break of ten minutes every hour – mainly to keep your body from complaining too much. If not. The other alternative. You deserve it. You don't want to lose the momentum you've generated. If you do this.
I'm Going to Tell You Something Very Important A little known secret that will blow you away. The one that's in their head . Let me explain. while it's still fresh. Come back to the following section when you feel you're ready. Huh? That's right. they aren't actually reading your book. in fact. Relax. Put in missing words. They're reading their own book. then do just that.as they read yours! This is good news.com . Don't sweat it. go back through your manuscript and at least repair the nuts and bolts – now! Don't work too hard at this. The way it works is this… Page 162 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Your writing is better than you think. Go on autopilot. Don't. Delete the odd glitch. Check the little things like spelling. When people read your book.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less If you're the sort of person who can't bear to edit their work without putting it aside for a while. Now. For everyone else my advice is. I repeat don't.easywaytowrite. People aren't actually reading your book. Excellent news. No. make any substantial changes yet.
It's how it conjures up the images you are placing in their mind. Page 163 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. As long as you follow the basic rules of fiction writing and make sure your writing flows with an easy. the reader will feel compelled to continue. That's why writing is popular. The reader has to let go when he or she reads fiction. It fulfills a purpose – and the purpose is to transport the reader to another world! This can only be done with trust.creating a reality that is not quite yours but something more akin to their interpretation of your novel.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less There is a tacit understanding between a writer and a reader that is based on trust. Because once the reader's in that semi-hypnotized state. their minds are literally melding with yours – over distance . Others call it hypnotism. uncomplicated rhythm. It has to.easywaytowrite. In a sense. It's unique in that sense because each person is unique and will take in the information and story presented in their own unique way.com . or the fictive dream. And it is part of the writer's "trust contract" with the reader not to break the spell. Some call it willing suspension of disbelief. the reader's mind wanders. If you speak to professional writers they will tell you that they often receive letters from fans thanking them for writing a book they didn't know they'd written! That's because your book is essentially different for everyone that reads it.
He is trusting. Descriptions seem inadequate. He no longer needs all the words and phrases to get what the author means. You'll immediately find there's something wrong. That's why you shouldn't over-edit your book. To prove this phenomenon to yourself.easywaytowrite. Action appears disjointed. In the first few pages. There seems to be words missing.com .The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less That's why I believe that writing quickly – from the subconscious – produces an infinitely more readable novel. Because it uses the same brain frequencies that the reader will use. Editing might make a book more literary but it doesn't always make it easier to read. Open up a page at random in the middle. the reader has already made a pact with the author. the reader has adjusted to the writer's style. * Page 164 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. pick up any best selling author's book. Trust that your subconscious knew best. You have something much more readable than you might think. Back at the start of the book. Sentences don't make sense. There's a reason for this. I believe writing that is painstakingly overworked by continuous editing actually hampers this process.
Editing Yep. Take out anything that upsets the rhythm and makes you falter or frown while you're reading. Go through your manuscript mindful of clunky phrasing. he knows what he wants to say.com .T. they stop editing so much. Appropriateness. Flow It's important that there's an innate rhythm to the writing. Page 165 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. That is.easywaytowrite.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Day Twenty Six and Twenty Seven F. F.A.S. and over description. This can be more important than anything else at this stage because it's part of the hypnotic element you want to keep in your work. This is not always because the writing has got better. Most writers find that after the first few pages. It's there.S. it's another one of those snappy acronyms to help you remember how to edit – quickly and easily.A. It might not be perfect but the words do the job of conjuring up the right images at the right time. It's because the writer has got into his own hypnotic rhythm and has stopped being so fussy about his own words.T. Clean up sentences that are clumsy. Sense and Trust. stands for: Flow. wordiness.
Sense Everything in your novel should make sense. Other times. If it doesn't. the reader will be thrown out of the spell. rather than spend a long time working on a particular idea or section. you'll find that. cut it out. take it out. you might as well get rid of it. If a character suddenly says something odd – if it's not essential. Sometimes this can mean simply inserting a sentence or two between points to ease the transition from one idea to another. Don't keep trying to rework prose if it's too hard! Remember the old adage: "If anything strikes you as particularly fine writing.com ." Page 166 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.easywaytowrite. Nothing must jar. or perhaps missed a dialogue tag. Usually things don't make sense because the thought process is missing or you've skipped ahead of the action without any explanation.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Appropriateness This is also to do with trust. and the pact between the writer and the reader. Make sure there are no sudden changes in point of view. Take out anything that might smack of authorial intrusion.
Write from the heart. there are a few… Logic Flaws These usually fall into the following categories: Page 167 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www." It is not okay at all.easywaytowrite." Trust If you're not convinced by a piece of action or drama. with love and care about what you have written.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less "Fine writing" is what readers skip nowadays. tightening everything up. Don't ever think that the reader is in any way inferior to you. Day Twenty Eight You've probably spent the last two or three days going over the book. Write with respect for your readers. You've probably also woken up in the middle of the night and realized that buried deep with the text.com . They're not interested. or even the subtext. your reader won't either. Never insult their intelligence by leaving in something you think is "okay. The reader will respond accordingly. And as Fitzgerald said. "Have the courage to kill your darlings. They just want the story.
especially if the idea or concept is unfamiliar. Before you launch in to do a botch repair job.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less * * * * Events out of sequence Players acting out of character Impossible phenomena/ circumstance Lack of sufficient explanation Most times these can be fixed by simple deletions of passages or just a few words added to paragraphs by way of exposition. Sometimes. Never justify or explain.com . Page 168 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Sometimes there might massive holes in the very fabric of your story. "Well. See if they notice first. if the writer points out the flaw in his work. That's up to the critics. the reader will say.easywaytowrite. The best piece of advice here is also an old adage. yeah I know. isn't it?" Writers have a habit of over-explaining. Do not despair. Sometimes a writer's perception of his own work is faulty. but that's all part of the story. show the story to a few objective outsiders. not you.
ask them what they think. Get the sense of the story. Page 169 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. If there is agreement amongst them. don't worry about it. how it ebbs and flows. If they all say different things. Don't dwell on the prose. Leave well alone the things they like. of course. Day Twenty Nine Go for one final speed-read. In a few days.easywaytowrite.maybe 3 or 4 that you know will read it rather than people who might not. the reader will pick up on the rest – and a lot more besides. This is the way critics read. ignore them.com . fix the things they suggest. Unless they're a respectable agent or an experienced editor. They have to – to get the review done before anyone else! What do you think? Is it brilliant? I bet you think it is! Day Thirty OK? Finished? Printed off the book or have it as an email attachment? Send it to some people you are not related to . If only one person violently objects to it.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less As long as your novel is consistent.
well done. Congratulations! Now. Page 170 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.easywaytowrite. there will always be someone who won't like your novel. This time. At the end of the day. And Finally You did it.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less The fact is. You can't please everybody. do all the things you were told! Good luck. If you've read this far. I am sure you a person who can write novels. if you read this book in one sitting. and go out and post the thing! Who knows – your BRILLIANT novel may turn out to be the next best seller! By the way.com . this is true for best sellers too. Now go back and read it again. the only person's opinion that really matters is your own. so don't even try. But remember. find out the addresses of all the appropriate agents and publishers you can find. You know you are capable of doing the one thing most people dream about all their lives without taking action. and many thanks for reading.
com . You're only as good as your last – or next . It is however. as soon as you start submitting your manuscript. Even successful authors sometimes have to go through the following process after they've had a 'hit' book. The important thing is Page 171 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. So don't despair. That's the reality of choosing a career in the Arts. If you keep at it. an entirely personal view. The publishing industry offers no guarantees. agents and publishing professionals. For now the reality is that. one day it will be your turn. you will inevitably receive rejections. Of course. However. According to a recent Jenkins survey. It is based on the latest information gleaned from numerous writers. and that many people in the industry do make money – a lot of money. you can see immediately that you are up against a steep uphill climb.easywaytowrite. only a fraction of these will ever see the light of a publisher's desk but still. books currently sell well. there are currently around six million unpublished manuscripts in the US alone.success.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less APPENDIX ONE A Proven Strategy for Getting Your Novel Taken Seriously by Agents and Publishers Introduction This guide is intended to help you on your quest for publication. The fact is about that one in fifty submitted manuscripts in the US do get published. or even a series of 'hit' books.
produced by Bookman. it's the Writer's Marketplace. Stephen King. John Grisham.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less not to take them personally – they rarely have anything to do with your writing. It doesn't really matter if they're out of date – you can always confirm contact details later. Contrary to what you might hear.com . these books can be expensive.easywaytowrite. Each rejection is actually one step closer to a sale. it's the Writer's and Artist's Yearbook published by A & C Black. find someone else who has already bought them. In Australia. you will need a current list of agents and publishers. Getting published is about persistence. Or go your local library. In the US the most comprehensive guide is Writer's Market. In the UK. which should stock them in the reference section. publishers are not Page 172 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. If you possibly can. Think of it this way. Anne Rice and Patricia Cornwell collectively had their novels rejected hundreds of times before they were taken seriously. especially if you want to submit to areas of the world outside of your own – you will have to pay more for imported books. There's no shame in rejection – it's par for the course. Unfortunately. published by Writer's Digest. Hang in there and one day it will happen! Tools Firstly.
If you are worried that your manuscript won't end up with the right person.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less too 'prickly' about getting their names wrong – the turnover of staff is so high nowadays it's hard for anyone to keep up! Agents.com . can be a little more sensitive. Agent or publisher? You will need to decide what's most important to you. They expect you to have done a degree of homework before you contact them. That way. Make a list of all the publishers and agents you think will be interested in your work. though. It really is a waste of time (and postage) to send your manuscripts to inappropriate companies and individuals. you'll save yourself a lot of time and heartache. Agents again. Think about what genre your work might fall into and then match it with the genres that the recipients handle. make a quick phone call to the publishing house and ask whose name you should address your query. Do you want to go it alone? Or do you want someone else to deal with the business side of things? There's no real problem with sending your manuscript to publishers directly. although many say they prefer you to use an agent. It's rare nowadays that publishers will publish a first book from an unagented submission.easywaytowrite. There are many reasons for this. Sometimes they prefer a direct pitch over the phone. are different. not least that agents are Page 173 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Target specifically. Not all editors take kindly to cold calls from authors. Talking to the reception desk is sufficient.
This is partly because agents spend their lives sorting through bad books to find the good ones – something the publisher is increasingly unable to find the time for. Your biography 3. pragmatic and realistic about a book's chances of success when talking to an intermediary. Your introductory letter 2.com . Return postage * Page 174 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Submission To start submitting to agents and publishers you need to think in terms of having a "submission pack" This will include the following: 1. publishers feel more confident that the agent will understand how the money and contracts work.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less considered by most publishers to be a necessary foil between the writer and themselves.easywaytowrite. 4. Publishers feel they can be more honest. The first three chapters of your novel. A short synopsis of your novel. Also. 5. many individuals in the industry simply prefer dealing with someone not too close to the writing. And in business terms. That way they don't risk hurting a writer's feelings.
com . take a look at the following example. As far as your intro letter's content goes. E O'Connell Publishing Co Pty Ltd PO Box 0000 NY 0000 (Date) Dear Emily. professional looking and in faultless English. You need say very little.easywaytowrite. your book and mention that it is offered for publication. Never use colored paper or weird fonts.this might be taken the wrong way. Don't send anything through the post you would not want to receive. It is the recipient's job to make those kinds of judgments and he/she might not take kindly to being lectured to. Okay. Just introduce yourself. If your printer is not printing cleanly then get it fixed. Always use clean white paper in A4 or quarto size. Page 175 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. it's short to the point of abruptness but it does get all the necessary information across quickly and efficiently. You might mention too why you think your book is especially relevant to the market place but be careful .The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Intro Letter This is the first thing your recipient will look at – it's therefore imperative you make this slick. Any more than 100 words is excessive.
Yours sincerely. If you'd like to see a full copy of the ms.pchadwick. It's pretty obvious to her what your letter was going to say.com . Page 176 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.easywaytowrite. Peter Chadwick Author www. Emily probably looks at a hundred of these letters a day. After all.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Please find enclosed a synopsis and sample chapters of my latest work. There's an SAE for your reply.com A letter like this shows that you are professional and don't like to waste anybody's time. offered for publication. "Title" It's a 115. I have also enclosed my biography.000 word supernatural thriller. I'd be very happy to send it to you with return postage. even before she opened the envelope. Many thanks for your time.
Famous names carry great weight in the publishing industry nowadays.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Unless you have something riveting to say. it might be worth mentioning – though it's not imperative.com . The idea is to make your novel seem like a natural extension of your life – and that you are more than qualified to tell a good story well. For instance. Any more looks like bragging. and you are too. without any prior introduction. Never try to sell the book or your writing. keep it short and sweet. Page 177 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. If your manuscript doesn't work on its own terms. Remember that one page is sufficient. if you're a politician or a celebrity. List any writing competitions you might have won (however minor) and anything at all you might have had published. or explain something you feel the reader should know first. Don't mention trivialities like your jobs or hobbies unless they have a specific bearing on your fiction.easywaytowrite. if your lead character is a postman. it's definitely worth mentioning. The rest of us have it a little harder. The object here is not to blind your reader with your accomplishments. mention your successes. In your biography. Celebrities can sell their shopping lists. you shouldn't be sending it out! Biography This one page document will list all the main achievements in your life that have a relevancy to your writing. However.
easywaytowrite. Her short story. In the creative field. break down their novel to its key elements and summarize them into less than 2000 words. this can look bad if you have great gaps where you seem to have achieved nothing in your writing. They don't like surprises when calling someone in the industry about your work. Even this is considered long. "The Midnight Cuckoo" won the 1999 Wheatsheaf Prize.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Agents like to know where your manuscripts have been. Arkansas. Hence. Synopsis Most writers consider this the hardest thing they'll ever have to do – that is. She is also a keen collector of political memorabilia. even if you're not hugely successful. It's best to list previous relationships with publishers and agents even if the relationship didn't work out for the best. You'll notice that the biography is written in the third person – a common technique I would recommend. The more professional you become. When not looking after her three young children – and her husband . it makes sense to appear so – by keeping your biog short and punchy. Amateurs tend to list their achievements chronologically like a work CV. the shorter the descriptions of your achievements you need.com .she writes detective fiction based on her close relationship with the local police department. Like this: Sandra Midden is a popular crime prevention speaker in her hometown of Penley Bush. Movie synopses – Page 178 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.
For a reasonably complex novel I would recommend no more than around 750 words. well paced and a riveting read. people don't have time to read whole novels nowadays. It's therefore important to make it snappy. but the reality is that your synopsis will probably be read by many more individuals at publishing houses than your manuscript.are generally less than 200 words long.easywaytowrite.com . a real live editor might read your first three chapters. The sad fact is. If you've written you book 'the easy way' you should now be able to go back to your original '10-point plan' for your novel.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less used to generate millions of dollars . I know. The synopsis will be the 'pitch' that will do the rounds of the publishers' marketing meetings. the purpose of a synopsis is not to tell the story of your novel. what to omit. They don't know what to leave in. If it does that too. it will then go to the editorial department and on the strength of the synopsis alone. rather than doing a synopsis from scratch. (See "The Easy Way to Write a Novel". all well and good. However. the main purpose of a synopsis is to get people interested in your work. whether to tell the ending. If it's good and passes the scrutiny of the meeting's attendees. leave out minor characters and sub plots… the list goes on. This is short. Many writers are completely stumped when it comes to writing synopses. Books are bought and sold on their synopses. I would recommend you use this as a starting point.) Contrary to what you might think. Page 179 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. especially in the publishing industry. Part Two.
intrigue… and you want to get it across in the shortest time possible. When you're telling the story of your novel.easywaytowrite. Okay. and tell the whole story. In order to write the 'pitch'. that's what you need to do.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less So – how's it done? You've read the backs of paperbacks? Of course you have. they pick up pertinent elements of the book they think will grab a potential readers attention. Most of all you want a sense of anticipation. You cannot waste a single word. The truth of it? The blurb there is often written by marketing and copywriting people that have never read the book. suspense. remember that you need a sense of urgency. For your synopsis. Page 180 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. write in the present tense to achieve immediacy. They cannot go on without it! You need to set up questions in the reader's mind – quickly – questions they cannot possibly answer without flicking back to page one and reading your book. You want to make the reader feel the next most important thing their life is to read your book. It's cheating to have a cliffhanger in a synopsis.com . and write a compelling précis. although they probably have read the synopsis and been at meetings where the book was discussed. Remove qualifiers and unnecessary adverbs. Find one now and take a look. You want excitement. Imagine you're making a movie promo.
building the excitement. Duty cannot be resolved with love.easywaytowrite. thrilling. the sense of jeopardy and urgency until you reach the climax. Whatever. re-read your synopsis several times. The theme can be stated outright. except that 99% of the industry doesn't want the whole thing. and nailbitingly exciting.early. characters and plot. If it reads slow. Murder has consequences unforeseen. When you've finished.com . How do the characters interact? Tell what exciting things happen when they get together and start telling the story – succinctly. It works in your favor. Don't be disheartened by this. Mailing manuscripts is expensive. Then get your characters in . The pursuit of money causes grief. The First Three Chapters There is no rigid rule about how much you send of your manuscript. their motivations and the obstacles to their agendas. even if it's just a word or a phrase. Describe who is in your book. Keep going. The golden rule is: if it's boring.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less The three main elements you need to get across in your synopsis are theme. Sending just a section is much cheaper. with passion and enthusiasm. chop it out. Page 181 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. get rid of it! Your synopsis should be a roller-coaster read: fun.
com . say a guy called Derek. Page 182 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. He is the real live person who edits and proofreads books for a living. the most compelling storytelling should be at the beginning of your novel.000 words or so. It doesn't have to be the first three but if you've written a good book. you might need to review your entire manuscript! If your chapters are very long – say 25. let's call her Jane. The 1 in 100 Jane thinks has potential she will send to an editor.easywaytowrite. Your work literally needs to shine like a beacon to impress a guy like Derek. After all. Most editors won't read more than a few pages anyway. slightly less if the story seems a little obscure or slow. how long does it take you to realize if you like a book or a writer? About a page and half probably. If you find you are scratching around looking for good bits. Unless Derek is overridden by a publishing house director or by the marketing department. Note this. Remember that the only person who will read the whole of your actual manuscript is an editor – and this person is usually not the person you send your submission to. Bear in mind that Derek is probably a frustrated writer who thinks he could have written whatever you have done better. then just one or two chapters will be enough. She'll send out all the rejection letters. it is Derek who will decide whether your novel is worthy of his time and attention. and therefore whether it will be published. It works like this.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Three chapters is the industry standard. because it's important. A submissions editor. screens out about every 99 submissions in every 100.
So don't give yourself the chance. after each book. Don't leave it too long before the next book – you need to get your juices flowing quickly otherwise you'll start to worry. Spelling. foreshadowing – everything should be as perfect as you can get it. Really – absolutely nobody! The trick is to play the game and do what every self-respecting author does: cross your fingers and hope like hell your book becomes flavor of the month – this month! The more books you write. The fact is most best sellers spring out of the blue – nobody can predict them. the more chance you have of achieving this end. nonsense.easywaytowrite. grammar. Just write. of course. formatting. Think about it.com . plotting. And. The best advice is. send out your submissions and get back to writing. Return postage It seems absurd in the 21st Century that so many publishers insist on paper submissions and then proceed to send them back to you! Page 183 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. characters. he'd be writing best-selling novels himself. If he knew what sold and what didn't. Don't worry that the rest of the manuscript isn't up to the same standard – you can worry about that later – when they've offered you a deal! Seriously… Don't let the idea of 'Derek' intimidate you. sense. as I point out in "The Easy Way to Write A Novel" worrying is the worst thing a writer can do.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less So make sure you have checked and rechecked everything a hundred times on the pages you submit. themes.
there's very little a new writer can do about this. Certainly don't let it stop you writing and submitting. It's a mistake to get paranoid about it but ideas do get 'recycled' all the time. That's what makes you different.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Apparently. Try not to worry about plagiarism. it's not all about ideas anyway. Unless a publisher is blatantly plagiarizing an author's work.com . On the positive side. It's pointless to lose sleep over having your ideas poached. Multiple Submissions The industry advice on this varies. Unfortunately. want to feel they're being targeted by an earnest writer who has no other interest in anyone else. your material is theoretically copyrighted from the moment it leaves your head. Certain individuals. Page 184 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. this can add months to your search for an agent.and then completely unwittingly be open to the very same idea from someone else. A publishing person might take on board your idea – only to reject it . is likely to win the case. like agents. Even copyrighting your material won't help you . Besides. If a writer can prove that a publisher once held an electronic version of his or her book and the publisher subsequently publishes a book similar. assuming the writer takes them to court. sellable and unique. there is a copyright issue here. It happens – or sometimes just appears that way. Good writing is about how you deal with those ideas.before you're famous.easywaytowrite. the complainant.
They will very rarely take on a new author. and what they're planning to sell in the next couple of years or whatever. Most publishing houses have a large list of authors already on their books. don't immediately call all the others and tell them to ignore your submission.com . Perhaps one or two a year. That's okay. most replies will be back with you within 6 to 12 weeks.easywaytowrite. Advances Page 185 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. the price of cotton. the likelihood of one in fifty wanting your book makes it seem absurd to submit to them one at a time. They'll be promoting them first. the whims and vagaries of the publishing house's aspirations. If you do receive an offer from one publisher. Mostly it will be to do with the mood of the editor. After all. Don't believe anything until the money's in the bank and you've signed the dotted line. Don't take rejection personally.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less There's nothing inherently wrong with a scattergun approach with publishers though. office politics. There are a hundred reasons why your submission was rejected and only one of them will be because of the quality of your writing. The Waiting Game Nowadays. Logic implies most if not all will be rejections. That's what you're up against.
cash advances for first time authors are getting smaller. Indeed. They might offer you a few thousand and then tell you that editing your manuscript will cost you $2000. It's considered unprofessional. This is not altogether true. some publishers (even bona fide ones) want money from you. They're usually too busy working on projects that need to be finished yesterday.com . Only novices and desperate hacks do it.easywaytowrite. should you call? I'd say no. Publishers and agents are generally overworked and underpaid and really don't have the time to talk to novices. And working writers leave their agents to call. they will call you. this is becoming an increasingly common practice in the US. Next Steps Should you follow up on your submission? The general advice given on this is that it's usually okay to phone after 6 to 8 weeks and chase a response. So. Study carefully at any deal you're offered. which you must agree to forfeit from your advance! Unfortunately. Their other duties like looking at new talent.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less As times goes by. Get a lawyer or an agent to look it over for you. discussing it with others and making proposals at meetings take second place to their core business – that Page 186 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. If an agent or publisher wants you.
Don't annoy them by constantly asking for advice or feedback. Nothing is more guaranteed to get you blacklisted! The Truth of It There are as many ways to get published as there are authors. It's all about persistence. rewriting and finally scheduling for release. Don't sit out the time and wait for fame and glory. However. Two years?!? I hear you cry. The industry wants to know you're in for the long haul – and not just the quick buck. The longer you beat a path to the door of the publishing industry. Then comes the process of negotiation. let's imagine your book has been accepted for publication. You'd better start writing your follow up books now.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less is: selling the books they already own. This process can take anything up to two years. Your publisher and agent will want you to have more material – and they will want to be reassured that you are a career writer. the more you get your name around and. Self Promotion Okay. Page 187 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.easywaytowrite.com . Of course getting published is about the quality of your work but it's also about your commitment. the more seriously you are taken. editing. Yep. There is no 'one way' that will work every time. one thing is clear. That's the norm. eventually.
Freebies You will want to send out a good many free copies to various people in the industry and the media to build momentum. It's like laying open your soul. Some authors will agree to write a favorable review for a fee.easywaytowrite. Don't forget to send your book to people you already know. get feedback and hopefully receive some reviews you can use to push the book. don't ask them to review it. For instance.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less What can you do when the book finally appears? Your publisher might have already thought of some of the following ideas but it does no harm at all for you to consider and act independently or in conjunction with them. Don't expect them to have done anything! Their initial enthusiasm for your book may have cooled and you might find your novel assigned to someone who will only give it about a week's worth of publicity and then move on. Let them choose to reply to you – better still let them reply to your agent. But we often forget that the people closest to us are those that can help us the most. It's probably best not to encourage this kind of thing. or even read it. In some ways this is harder than sending to people you don't know. The ethics of this are questionable at best but it will be up to you decide whether you go for it. Also send copies to people in professions related to your novel.com . if your book is a crime novel. why not send a free copy to the Page 188 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. The best approach is to offer it to them as a gift. If you send your book to other authors.
If you can. Send copies to radio stations with perhaps a note saying you'd be willing to come in and talk about a certain topic. Think local – organize bookshop signings.how your book's theme is relevant to a piece of news perhaps. This is useful for sending out press releases. get the names of the producers. It's next to pointless sending out a one-page sheet with the title of your book on it. Always try to make press releases news worthy and relevant. It's the way of the modern world. Get their written permission first is the golden rule. in fact anyone who might be able to say something nice.easywaytowrite.com . perhaps tours of the shops in your state or town. on and off the Net. as it is the program producers that decide a show's content.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less local police department? You might receive valuable feedback or even a rave review! Send free copies to newspaper and magazine reviewers. Could you turn your book into a workshop? Could you talk about the craft of writing for an hour or two to other authors? Could you give a presentation at your local writer's center? Phone them and ask what they expect from speakers. writer's groups or the passing public. Apparently editors will often ignore the first three press releases from someone before they latch on to a story. announcing its presence. Try to think of something a newspaper would be interested in . Don't forget to ask permission to use testimonials. Get a fax machine. Don't worry if you are universally ignored at first. Some professionals can be quite tetchy about bandying their names around to promote your book – even after they've said something positive. Drop books off for them to sell or give away to other writers. Page 189 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. not the presenters. You never know where your free copies might end up.
" You are never as alone as you might think. I remember you first book. Self Publicity Authors are finding that getting a deal and sitting back to collect royalties isn't working any more. you're going to do all this work for a book that sells for maybe $20. two dollars. Publishers like to test the water first." Or even. First runs of books are notoriously small. But how likely is that? When you sign to a publisher. of which you get say. I found it in such and such a place and read it. if you've got a publishing deal.easywaytowrite. Say you get $5. I knew you'd make it one day. The publisher is banking on this.000 books to cover your advance – before you earn any royalties. Now. Authors have to work at getting their name and their work noticed.000 for your first book.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less Quite often you can be years into your career when somebody famous will say "Ah yes. Your agent will also get a dollar fifty and the rest goes to the publisher. "I've been watching your progress for years. your advance can be anything from nothing to about ten thousand dollars. They may print just a thousand. if you're lucky. That means you will have to sell at least 10. half of which they will give away Page 190 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. it does if you sell fifty thousand and above. Doesn't seem fair does it? Well.com . And it's hard nowadays. otherwise he would not have offered you this money. Let's assume you're somewhere in the middle.
It happens – especially with fantasy and SF authors. this sounds bleak. they won't print any more. more than likely. You now have three options. you will probably not see any of the profit from remaindered books because the publisher reserves the right not to give you any in this (all too common) scenario.000.000 or perhaps 10. Now. sell them as remainders at a fraction of the cost. Now try selling your second book to the same publisher.e. By the way. one book at a time.com . Your publisher and agent might agree with you and will keep releasing your books in the belief your following will grow. Either they will say "Hey but you never even made us our money back on your first book. Page 191 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Then if the book is well received and gets a couple of nice reviews they will print some more. But mostly the industry can't support this kind of activity – they already have back catalogs of hungry authors that are all hanging on. You might be lucky. One. Three months down the line and the books start coming back to the printers. You're different. say 2." or. they don't get any more orders from the book chain-stores). tear them all up into pulp and make some more books or. "Go to Hell!" Okay. vying for position and notoriety.easywaytowrite. and a little bit of fame. Your book is destined for the big time – or at least a cult following. The publisher has two options. if the book sits on shelves gathering dust (i.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less as promotional aids.
The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less 1.000 of your book printed – at exorbitant prices – and usually badly done. 2. Nothing.000 dollars profit! The best thing? Once you've sold your book to all the people you wanted to – it's still yours to sell to a publisher! Don't get me wrong. You sell them for $20 dollars each – and make $5. I'm not talking about Vanity Publishing – that's a whole different ballgame. Self publish. I know self-publishing this has an awful stigma to it but just for a moment think about it.000 dollars to print 250 paperbacks. you won't want to so . wouldn't it be better if you could earn 90% of each sale? Say it costs you a $1. Yeah. The favorite scam of these people is to contact you after 3-6 months and ask you to now start paying for storage. Of course. If you're going to have to do all that self-promotion anyway. artwork etc. no advice on covers.com . Find a supportive partner or sugar daddy that will support you with no immediate financial gain in sight. 3. You do the sums and realize you'll be working like a dog to sell all these books for the rest of your life so . No editorial support.000 to 10.you say no… they then tell Page 192 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Keep at the day job until you have a best-seller.easywaytowrite. That's where you pay a vanity press to have anywhere from 1.they'll let you have them at a discount price – say 50% of the cover price.
easywaytowrite.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less you they will have to charge you for destroying them. © robparnell 2002-2003 Page 193 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www. Whatever you do . and never give up. take action. I mean finding a printer who will work with you to produce a book cheaply as a one off run. Good luck. keep writing.com . think laterally and always be on the look out for a way to promote yourself and your book. at say 25% of the cost. You're always closer to success than you think! Ciao.don't get caught up in it! No. publishers and agents will be beating a path to you! Final Word If you want to succeed. If the book does well. by self-publishing.
com .The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less * Afterword Now I need to ask a favor. Please . If you have any luck with the formulas and systems in this book.feel free to email me: rob@easywaytowrite. I want to know about it! I'd be grateful for any feedback – good and bad – that I might be able to use for the next edition of this book.com Page 194 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.easywaytowrite.
Also. I've included a few self-help books that will help you achieve any of your dreams.com .easywaytowrite. The very best of luck to you.The Easy Way to Write a BRILLIANT Novel – in 30 Days or Less FURTHER READING Below are some excellent books on writing that will inspire and motivate you. Writing Becoming a Writer On Writing Dorothea Brande Stephen King How to Write a Damn Good Novel James N Frey Hypnotic Writing The Elements of Style Joe Vitale Strunk and White Self-Help Unlimited Power Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway Creative Visualization You Can't Afford the Luxury of a Negative Thought John Roger & Peter McWilliams Anthony Robbins Susan Jeffers Shakti Gawain Page 195 ©robparnell – All Rights Reserved www.
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