Novels, ideas and the writing routine by Alice May
I’ve learned in the ten years that I have been writing, that there are many different stages involved in writing a novel. Each stage is different and, as a result, the routine changes accordingly. Writing my new novel, The Mid-life Trials of Annabeth Hope, involved the following stages.
Collecting my tools.
The initial phase of writing a book involves gathering ideas. Getting the right ingredients together, much as one might when baking a cake. A theme or a concept might strike me as interesting, and I’ll keep a mental note of interesting comments and character traits that I hear or see around me. At this point, I know that I will use these elements somewhere, but I’m not sure how, why or where.
Doing my research
Then comes the research stage. It is important to get this right. Making sure you use accurate information for those parts of your story that chime with reality is essential as this helps to build a bond of trust between writer and reader. Once you have the confidence of your reader, they will follow you wherever your story takes you as long as you remain within the boundaries of the reality you have set from the beginning.
Working the plot
Step three is plotting the story, making sure to hit the right story beats and include the tropes that readers expect, look forward to and find satisfying, whilst trying to add my own angle to them and avoid clichés. I used to write by the seat of my pants, but have learned over the years that an element of plotting saves time and the agony of running into a roadblock and having to start back at the beginning of a manuscript to rewrite the whole thing.
I often start to plot a story based around a particular character and situation. More often than not, though, another character pushes into the narrative and the story becomes more about them. It’s an experimental stage of trying different combinations out to see what has the capacity to sustain a plotline through to the end in a satisfying way. I can’t explain how I know something will work, I just recognise it when I see it.
Then comes the writing phase.
What precisely triggers the actual writing phase of a novel for me, I couldn’t say. I just know that it is time. All of the above ingredients for the story, the research and the plotting will have marinated sufficiently that I can dive in and write. This phase involves regular computer time; several hours a day if possible. I find early in the morning works best for me as I often wake up with the next part of the book already written in my head. I avoid looking at my phone or checking my emails until I have that new chunk of text wrangled onto the page, because social media and other outside influences will cause the words to disappear.
Of course, once the first draft is complete, then the delights of editing begin…
Life often gets in the way, which throws any form of routine I try to establish into chaos. The important thing to remember as a writer is to make sure that you are kind to yourself. We need to be mindful of deadlines looming, but we need to practice effective self-care. Working non-stop is counter-productive. Taking breaks and taking care of yourself are the keys to everything.
To all the writers out there, I wish you good luck.
Love
Alice
Here’s the blurb
Feisty country girl Annabeth Hope has sworn off men since her ex abandoned her. Juggling three resentful step-teens, a hyperactive toddler, a small holding, and a herd of rescued llamas, she has her hands full.
With the roof about to collapse on her crumbling New Forest home, she is desperate to find a way to hold her patchwork family together. The last thing she needs is an attractive distraction moving in next door.
Burnt-out, inner-city doctor Rick Mahon has left London and his medical career behind in a moment of professional crises. A malpractice lawsuit is on the horizon, and the cancel culture are snapping at his heels. His plan to stay under the radar is thrown off course when he meets his new neighbour and sparks start to fly.
Annabeth couldn’t be more different, but maybe they hold the key to each other’s happiness.
‘What more could we want from in life? Family, friends, llamas and hope… An excellent read.’ Jenny Kane, author of the best-selling Mill Grange Series.
Buying Links
The Book Guild
Amazon
WHSMITH
Waterstones
Meet the author
A former GP surgery manager, school librarian and art teacher,Alice May is mum to four not-so-small children. She is married to the most patient man on the planet, and they live in the New Forest. Alice started writing in 2016 and she enjoyed playing with words so much that now she can’t stop. Alice writes as Alice May, Alice G May and A G May.
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