At age 19, I told my English professor that I was writing a novel. I'd written
first chapter. How interesting! How wonderful! She wanted to know if novel was about me. I told her that main character was like me--a college student, at time--and that her name was Yasmine. But she was NOT me. I was adamant: I wanted to write outside myself."Most first novels," she said, "are autobiographical."
I never finished that novel. I estimate that I began 3 or 4 more novels. I wrote lots of notes. None got beyond third chapter. (Since then, I've written 2 complete novels.)
All while, I wrote dozens of short stories. Some of these stories formed an inter-connected series, based on my grandfather's tales.
Over years, I wrote in my journal, describing novels I wanted to write. A few months before I began to write my first novel, I wrote the following words--which are, I think, essence of my novel's grandfather-character:
"I could have old man tell a tale when he speaks of love. Bk II is a combination tale, history (impersonal and personal). He reminisces on his youth, . . . on his beloved's death. On Love. On world. Through time. . . ."
Then, next spring, I sat down and wrote a one-page outline for my novel. I wrote each chapter fairly swiftly. After about 6 months,I began to revise. The first version was written in longhand. The second, on a typewriter. Then, a couple more versions on my computer. (See resource links below.)
As I wrote and re-wrote, I wept. No one had told me how emotional I might get while writing a first novel. So I set book aside. After a few months, I returned to manuscript with idea of incorporating some of stories into novel. And voila! I had written my first novel.
So, if you're a writer contemplating writing of your first novel, here are a few suggestions:
--Be prepared to cry. When you do, take a break from writing-- either a couple of days or a couple of weeks. You decide. You might try skipping section that makes you cry. You can get back to it once first draft is completed. Just know that your own reaction to writing is a sign you're onto something authentic and life-altering.
--Ask a friend to be your novel-buddy if you anticipate a strong emotional reaction to your work. As you write--if you begin to experience emotional reaction--call that friend. Go out to dinner with family. Do something that's fun for a change. Why not take up a hobby that is not writing-related? Like knitting or learning Spanish.
