How Does One Begin to Write a Novel?

I have written 2 and a half novels thus far.. The first step is just to start writing!! I know that may seem a bit redundant but it's simply truth. Most writers hold so much creativity within; trying to organize it might become a catastrophe! So let me give you an order of thoughts..

1. Just start writing-Know Your Audience
2. Choose Main Characters, Plot, Location
3. Contemplate Purpose and Moral of story
4. Gauge the number of pages and chapters you want your book to have
5. Begin a draft and be prepared to comb through at a later date
6. Take your time (especially for you 1st project) You want it to be Good not Rushed
7. Edit, Edit and re-edit (Comb thru every chapter as you go)
8. When you have completed the book and your edits have someone else edit it
9. Promote, Self Publish, or Find a Publishing Company that will support your dreams & Goals 
10. Sell Online... Network and Promote

I know this may not be an official professional list on How To... But take it from a Self-Published Author with 2 and half novels under her belt, (lol). I hope this short list helps you to begin your master piece. Look for a display of my work soon to come. I will present a portion of Chapter One of my 1st Novel Black Butterfly Emerged! Good Luck and may the force of Creativity be with you on your journey to success.

Sincerely,

SistahKenya

Example of a Short Story (In Short Version for the Blog)

Autumn in Twilight Reflection

Moments of reflection are often intriguing especially those in nostalgia modes. De Ja Vu! The wind blew and hit my face with a brisk cool breeze. My hair  was lifted with charismatic charm as I sat in the warmth of the sun. I felt as though I was in the presence of the one I had longed for all too long. My cousin who had passed away only three years ago today.

The leaves on the trees were a bright orange and crimson red. These tones always gave me comfort yet brought me to a place of wanting more. What is this feeling? I would often ask myself as these moments would appear. A daydreamer is what I was often labeled. A drifting spirit without a home. Who me? No, I like to think of it as being free. Free to allow my mind and spirit to venture to the places of unknown that most people are afraid to go.

"Keoshe! you day dreaming again.. come on we gotta make it to the park before it gets crowded!"

I could hear my cousin yelling at me as he approached my truck. Asad was always cheerful and ready for a good time. He had truly began to teach me the meaning of living in the moment.

'Asad, don't yell at me, you know I like to drift. Dang you just ruined the perfect dream.'

"Keoshe, was I in this daydream of yours?"

'No!'

"Then it was far from being perfect. Come on here girl lets ride."

I loved the way my cousin would put things into perspective for me, from his point of view. At this point in our lives Asad and I were inseparable and no one could come in between us. We are like the brother and sister version of Bonnie and Clyde. Trust you don't want to cross us.

As I drove up the highway we talked about the events of the day that lied ahead at the city park we often ventured to. This was his favorite spot to hang out, Pleasant Park. There's a Wine Arts festival in town and we weren't gonna miss this one for nothing. Asad always knew how to make me smile. So he inserted the latest Erykah Badu cd into the player and we both sighed as we heard the melodious sounds of Worldwide Underground Puff...

Living in the outskirts of the city had done us some justice. We always had somewhere to go within the city limits. Whether we were alone just the two of us or traveling as a family, me him and my two daughters. We always made the best of it. Never in our young lives did we truly focus on the journey of life; it's time constraints or short endings. Every moment was lived to the fullest and by all means enjoyed. Yes there were hard times and bad, but none over shadowed those that was spent in the pure essence of US! We had become a dynamic duo that was left unsung abruptly when the grim reaper showed his face. Twenty four years young with so much more life of promise my cousin Asad Passed a way due to a massive heart attack. This left me in a place of shock and awe. Yet I had discovered that he truly had given me more of a reason to live now, than ever before. All that lay ahead of me he had already sowed pearls of wisdom.

Asad had traveled the world and back thanks to his talent and gift of music ministry. Yes he was a musician at heart and that is the path of life he chose. A giver of his soul and cheerful always. He would often say to me:

"Keoshe God has so much in store for you. It is up to you to allow it to manifest. You choose!"

I can hear him now clear as the day is before me. The sun shining bright warming my face and the smell of burning kush oil in the air. This reflection has become my atmosphere. Asad never hid his feelings and in that, was much like me. Meaning he spoke what he felt and told truth whether you wanted to hear it or not, but He was always tactful. The amazing thing about Asad, by the time he finished telling you what he thought good or bad he always left you with a smile. And today as I reflect in the Twilight of this Autumn day I am enticed to recall all the monumental moments we shared. This essence of nostalgia has not come for no extraordinary reason, but simply to remind me of him.

His spirit lives on and yet the message that his life portrayed. Live, Laugh, Love and in all things keep God first. Yes that is what my favorite cousin taught me. Today I receive it all and believe that this is only my beginning inspired journey. De Ja Vu has become my reality and yet I live in the now. Being Free and Being me. Keoshe Mitchell is on her journey to Soaring as a Free Spirit starting now...

**This short Story was Inspired by the relationship of my Cousin Ashton J. Bridges RIP  March 16, 1984 - November 24, 2008**

Although most short stories are longer I just wanted to give you a sample with creativity, momentum, and sentimental value. I hope you enjoyed it. Your feedback is welcomed and you may share your own short stories as well. I will post one more soon this is just to get it started.. Short Story Ventures...

Signed,

Da Black Butterfly

Creating a Short Story

The first thing to do is gather your Ideas, purpose, prose, and intent of completion. I usually create Short Stories just for the fun of it. Entertainment is a great reason to write, especially since there are so many topics and genres of interest. My favorite is romance of course. I have had the opportunity to be intrigued by the writings of the Author ZANE. She created the perfect short stories in her edition of Sex Chronicles.

Once you have your topic of choice, setting, plot, and characters you can begin your journey. Remember the key is to be short yet innovative. Although short stories aren't long as novels they should still provide the same value of artistry and passion required when writing novels. You want to leave the audience wanting more therefore providing you an opportunity to create more short stories. Your story should be very precise and creative. I am a writer who loves to paint pictures with my words for my reader. If you allow the scene to be vivid it gives the reader an opportunity to interact with the story at hand. In my next blog I will demonstrate my artistry in short story form. Blog title will be: #ShortStoryExample

This will simply be a template for you to examine and filter through into your own style of choice. It is often stated that  when writing short stories it is vitally important that your first and last lines are bangers! I deem that true as well. You must be able to capture the attention of the audience and then fulfill the desired quest of completion as you finish your story. Every line should build character or advance the action. Remember to keep your characters to a minimum; too many may cause conflict. Also be sure to have one focus; limiting your time frame to keep your story SHORT.

There are many ways to write a short story but this is just a tidbit of info to get you started. Be sure to look for the next blog with an example given. Writing is a craft that is honed and practice makes perfect. Great Novelist began with Short Story writings. So try it today, you never know you just might like it.

Signed,

Author;Novelist, Poet, Short Story-teller