Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Part I: Getting Started with Writing a Novel and Getting Published 5
Chapter 1: Entering the Writer’s World 7
Chapter 2: Meshing Your Talent and Technique 13
Chapter 3: Getting to the Writing 19
Part II: Building from the Basics 35
Chapter 4: Following the Hero’s Journey 37
Chapter 5: Scheming and Plot ting: Using Stories 47
Chapter 6: Considering the Grand Concept 59
Chapter 7: Structuring the Story 67
Part III: Examining the Elements 81
Chapter 8: Creating Characters 83
Chapter 9: Exploring Relationships 105
Chapter 10: Talking about Dialogue 113
Chapter 11: Including Conflict 129
Part IV: Fine-tuning and Finishing Up 141
Chapter 12: Adding Depth and Detail 143
Chapter 13: Getting Creative 153
Chapter 14: Ending and Editing 163
Part V: Publishing 181
Chapter 15: Publishing Your Novel 183
Chapter 16: Finding an Agent 199
Chapter 17: Preparing for Publication 223
Chapter 18: Coping with the Business Side of Being an Author 237
Chapter 19: Taking Control: Self-Publishing 249
Part VI: The Part of Tens 279
Chapter 20: Ten Top Tips for Writers 281
Chapter 21: Ten Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them 289
Chapter 22: (Answers to) Ten Questions Put to Agents 293
Chapter 23: Ten Tips from Published Authors 299
Index 303