TAKE CHARGE.

© 2009 INTEC TELECOM SYSTEMS

The contents of this presentation are Copyright (c) Intec Telecom Systems PLC 2009. All rights reserved. This presentation may contain forward-looking statements based on current business performance that are subject to risks and uncertainties that are not necessarily stated here. Intec Telecom Systems PLC does not warrant the continuing accuracy of these statements, and does not accept any obligation to update the contents over time as business conditions change.The contents of this presentation are Copyright (c) Intec Telecom Systems PLC 2009. All rights reserved. This presentation may contain forward-looking statements based on current business performance that are subject to risks and uncertainties that are not necessarily stated here. Intec Telecom Systems PLC does not warrant the continuing accuracy of these statements, and does not accept any obligation to update the contents over time as business conditions change.

SEPTEMBER 2010

NOVEL WRITINGMELANIE EDMONDS

TAKE CHARGE.2

AGENDA

• A little about me• Where do I start?• What then?• National Novel Writing Month• What happens when I’m done?• Resources

TAKE CHARGE.

A LITTLE ABOUT MELANIE

3

• Writing creatively for 20+ years• Degree in English Literature and Creative Writing• Running writing groups for 3 years• Municipal Liaison for National Novel Writing Month for the past 3 years• Currently writing a web serial: http://www.starwalkerblog.com • Writing blog: http://writer.apocalypseblog.com

TAKE CHARGE.

WHERE DO I START?

4

• Click to add text• An idea

• Plot• Characters• Setting• Genre• Conflict

TAKE CHARGE.

PLANNING

5

• Planners vs Pantsers• Outlines – Stepping stones

• Character profiles• World building• Research

TAKE CHARGE.

WHAT THEN?

6

• Start writing!• Discipline – Make time to write– Sit down every day– Eradicate distractions

• Fight off world-builder’s disease• Beware of re-writing and editing

TAKE CHARGE.

NATIONAL NOVEL WRITING MONTH

7

• Challenge: write a novel in a month– 50,000 words in November– 1,667 words per day

• Started in 1999– Grown from 20 writers (1999) to 125,000 (2009)– International and local community of writers– 800+ in the Brisbane region last year

• Lots of events, resources, and support available• Good for silencing the internal editor

http://www.nanowrimo.org

TAKE CHARGE.8

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I’M DONE?

• Editing!• Questions to ask yourself:– Does the plot make sense?– Are the characters realistic?– Is the conflict compelling?– Are all the sub-plots tied off?

• The first chapter:– Should draw the reader in– Sets up the rest of the story

• The ending:– Should be satisfying

TAKE CHARGE.9

PUBLICATION

• Options:– Traditional/paper publishing– Self-publishing– E-publishing

o E-bookso Web serials

• Agents

TAKE CHARGE.10

RESOURCES

• Queensland Writing Centre – http://www.qwc.asn.au– Advice– Courses– Mentoring

• Writing books– If you read one, read three!

• Writing groups / communities• Writer’s Festivals– Brisbane in September

• National Novel Writing Month – http://www.nanowrimo.org • Write or Die – http://writeordie.drwicked.com

TAKE CHARGE.11

QUESTIONS?