When asked to write a novel where does one begin?

Characters? Setting? Plot perhaps?



"You have an amazing talent in writing, would you consider writing a novel?"

"A novel on what?"

"Anything that happens on your imagination."

"My imagination is poor to say the least. It will take me quite some time to even think of some kind of plot, and then to make that plot into a riveting story that people will read. That is a huge amount of pressure."

"None indeed my friend, you will do famously. Just sit down and write what comes to you. Start an idea book. Any idea that pops into your head write it down, then develop one or two of your favorites until you find something worthwhile to spend much more time on."

"I fear the judgment of others. It will be a terrible story."

"If it is terrible it just won't be published. Then you will not have to worry about the judgment of anyone. But if my editors like it, you'll be published and become famous even."

"From one novel? No one can even pronounce my name let alone spell it properly to even find it in a catalogue, how will they even know who I am?"

"Marketing my friend, marketing. We just teach people how to pronounce your name. Stop worrying so much, you haven't even written the book yet."

"Right, we are back on the book and my imagination and the horrible story that is pending. Brilliant! Can't wait."

"I knew you'd do it!"



Now what?

Plot…

1) People

2) Tragic event?

3) Pleasant outcome… or more tragedy?

Truly this could be a wholly tragic novel but then who would read it. Isn't the purpose of a novel to escape the tragedy of the everyday world? Then again Shakespeare's tragedies are brilliant. (Plot twist) AGONY!

Dark and twisty indeed…



Oh for heavens sake!



Setting…

1) Location

2) Time

Modern? Medieval? Classical?

Costume! Character! Language!



Torrents of fire, this is ridiculous!



Characters…

1)…

2) I suppose there should be a main character…

Male? Female? Handsome? Wretchedly disfigured?



Genre…

Most important of all the decisions and the last to pop into my head.



There is far too much to think of! Idea book indeed! Novel indeed… I've no imagination whatsoever. What were they thinking!!!