Successful Novel Plotting by Jean Saunders

Author:Jean Saunders
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Accent Press
Published: 2012-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

6

THE CHAIN REACTION

Before you break rules, you had better learn them

Noel Coward

Writing a successful novel where everything reads so smoothly that it seems as if the author had an effortless task is no accident. You might as well get used to the fact that most non-writers believe that you sit in front of the screen all day long, and the words just flow out, ready-formed and in perfect shape and order. You wish!

Occasionally – very occasionally, they do. But far more often, it’s a long hard slog to achieve that effect. Sentences need to be changed around, repetitive words and phrases removed, paragraphs tightened, and so on. And throughout all this process is the hope that you are going to produce a saleable novel at the end of it. It takes work.

The novel that has the most chance of success has a plot that has a chain reaction effect. Nothing in it is out of context. Everything leads on from what has gone before, even in the most complex plot – and no matter how many twists and turns there are. Extraneous characters who are incidental to the plot and do not belong there are cut out. Waffling asides and author-intrusion while you air one of your particular little hobby-horses are definitely out. Novels are about the characters the author creates, not about the author.

Chapters and scenes

While there are few rules that can’t be broken by a sparkling and innovative writer, I do believe that if you truly want to see your book in print, then some of the basics are vital. The use of chapters and scenes may be obvious, but occasionally writers have tried to change the recognised format, with varying reactions from readers.

Separating your book into chapters is pleasing to the eye as well as giving you and the reader time to pause for breath. Chapters are also essential for:

Separating locations.

The progression of time, weather or seasons.

Changing viewpoints where applicable.

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