A little while ago, I proposed a challenge: I would write a novel in 90 days. You can read more about that project here (or visit this post for a sneak peek at what I’m working on). It’s time to check in and see how the novel writing is coming and whether I’m on track to cross the finish line for the upcoming book, slated to be released in August or September.
Join me behind the scenes to see how my 90 day novel project is shaping up.
Doing the Work Upfront
I think that this process is really stretching me as a writer. I’m already a published author, but there’s a lot that I’m learning about story structure and the importance of planning to get this thing off the ground. This month, I spent a lot of time on the less glamorous parts of writing: plotting and planning.
If you’re a discovery writer, you might be rolling your eyes at this, but there is something to be said for having a plan. I find that a detailed outline saves me several rounds of revision.
So what does it look like to plan my story in a way that works for me?
First, I create an Inside Outline which is the tool Author Accelerator book coaches use to make sure that a writer has a clear idea of not only WHAT happens, but also WHY it happens. This ensures that there are no frivolous scenes and that my main character has clear motivation and growth throughout the novel. This is limited to about two to three pages, so it really only contains the “tent pole” scenes (the scenes that hold up the whole story).
Once I have that outline done, I get every scene down on an index card and pin it to a bulletin board. This allows me to see what my main character is doing and when things take place in the story timeline. It’s flexible enough that I can rearrange scene cards to get the exact flow of the story (or I can trash cards if they seem unnecessary when looking at the full plot).
Working with a Book Coach
You can read the best creative writing books on the market today, but there’s no substitute for feedback from a skilled book coach. I worked with a book coach on this project so that I could be held accountable for reaching my writing goals and get a solid foundation for the story. We worked through Jennie Nash’s Blueprint for a Book which means that I wrote almost fifty pages about my story (including some first and last scenes).
I’m convinced that the most prolific published authors utilize some of these tools to capture their words and ideas before their characters take them along for the ride.
Either way, it was a great experience to kickstart my writing process, get the initial jumpstart on my word count, and set some realistic writing goals for myself. She gave me the clarity I needed on why things were (and weren’t) working in my story. It was a simple step to go through her feedback and have a conference call with her, but she gave some motivating insights that have made me eager to write forward.
Where I’m Going in June
At this point, I have roughly 4,000 words in the book thanks to my work with my coach. I have intriguing characters, a solid book idea, and a believable plot. With this systematic approach to writing out of the way, June is all about getting more words on the page. So what exactly is my goal for the upcoming month?
To stay on track with the rest of the 90 day novel, I think I need to write about 30,000 words this month. That is double what I did this month (my Blueprint for a Book was 15,000 words). But with most of the heavy lifting and ideation out of the way, I think this is an achievable goal. That is three weekends’ worth of writing on the story idea, which is more than possible.
The problem is that I’m now wondering if I should abandon this story for something shiny and new. This is what happens to me every time I commit to a story idea, but I don’t want to let the new idea go untended. In Big Magic, Gilbert writes that ideas can hop from person to person if they aren’t seen and acknowledged promptly. I want to acknowledge the idea, give it some breathing room, and see it through.
That means I will likely start plotting the next book, even as I finish this one.
How Are You Doing on Your 90 Day Novel?
Are you looking for a little writerly commiseration? I would love to hear how your story is coming. I love talking to aspiring authors as well as more established writers who have a systematic approach to getting words on paper. The truth is that there is no simple answer to the best way to write a novel. I’d love to hear what your process is like and how your own story is coming.
Even if you feel like you’re a little behind on getting your book done, you can still catch up! I know I’m a little behind where I would like to be at this point, but I’m determined to work hard this coming month to put this train back on track.
Join me on the journey, whether you write horror novels, literary fiction, or contemporary fiction. Everyone is welcome here!