Miriam Said:

whats a good novel writing school or course/class to take if you want to write a novel?

We Answered:

You received some good advice here. But there is a lot more to writing than classes. I give this little speach to everyone who would love to write a novel.

Writing a book takes more than just sitting down and putting your idea into words. There are a lot of things that you have to consider.

You need a good grasp of the English language. Spelling and Grammar. You will also need to check and recheck your work. Editors are very expensive these days.

You need to know how to write an effective ‘query letter’ to a literary agent.

Can you write a synopsis that will hold the interest of the agent, and want to make him or her ask for the first three chapters of your work?

Do you know how to outline?

You’ll need to know how to format your manuscript. This includes the fonts that
most agents, editors, and publishers want.

Do you know what Point of View is? (POV) Do you know how to write in First Person Point of View? The can’s and can not’s?

Do you know how to write dialogue? How to format dialogue?

It’s a good idea to know some of the publishing laws. The use of names and places.

These include
o Delivery Of Satisfactory Copy
o Permission for Copyrighted Material
o Grant Of Rights
o Proofreading and Author's Corrections
o Advances and Royalties
o Author's Warranties and Indemnities
o Copies to Author
o Option Clause
Do you know how to get a ‘word count?

Do you know what a prologue is? An epilogue? Do you know how both of them are used and why?

Do you know what the word ‘genre’ means?

You’ll need to know how to use the proper ‘page set up’ for your work. Margins, indents, paragraphs.

Are you prepared to do a lot of ‘research’ involving your work? Many professionals such as, doctors, lawyers, nurses, public accountants, judges, architects, bricklayers, engineers, and police officers read, too.

Do you know what a plot is? A sub-plot?

Can you take rejection and constructive criticism? If you’re easily hurt in the feelings department, then this hobby is not meant for you. Critics will tear you apart or build you up. The best writers in the world “King, Patterson, Koontz, J.K. Rowling, and many others” have been torn up one side and down the other. You can’t please everyone.

If you decide to hire an editor, remember: Your manuscript will be double spaced, which means there will be twice as many pages. A 600 page novel could cost you around $1800.00, some even more depending on what the editor charges a page.

These are the things you must know to work at your craft. But don’t let these things deter you from writing. There are books in libraries and bookstores that can teach you all of these things. Buying these books (if you want to be a serious writer) is the best thing to do. Why? Well, because you can use a yellow marker to highlight all the points of interest. Then you can use the front of the book to make page references to those markings in order to check back on them at a later date, when you need to.

You’ll need to get a copy of Writer’s Market for the current year. This has literary agents whom you can send out query letters to. Some of them allow email queries.

I wish you the best of luck!

Victoria Said:

Should I reveal the synopsis of my novel in my writing course?

We Answered:

Copyright your work... that way, no one can steal it.

Then you can discuss it without worrying :)

Bradley Said:

Novel Writing course in the South East/London area.?

We Answered:

I have a few, so I'm going to just give the websites for you to browse.

www.newwritingsouth.com
www.theoriginalwriter.com
www.spreadtheword.org.uk
www.wea.org.uk

They are all local to London.

Daisy Said:

Writing your first novel, where to start?

We Answered:

I might not be an expert, but I can certainly give you advice on this topic. I'm writing a novel myself.

For a lot of people, writing seems like a very romantic hobby, and that those gifted with it can just write freely and that they can get the exact feeling they want on the paper in beautiful words. That is an utter delusion. A wordsmith has one of the most difficult jobs in the world of the arts. Sweat, blood, and tears are usually what goes into it. You're in for one heck of a bumpy ride.

Now that I've given you that little pre-warning, and if you still want to write a novel, here's how I would recommend getting started.

1. Ask yourself 'What if?'. That's a really good way to start. You can most likely get a plot starter from those simple words. Once you've got an idea, keep building on it. Add sharp turns and helixes to keep your reader hooked.

2. Characters. This is actually how my novel idea was born. I remember that I was just randomly sketching on a piece of paper, and it turned into a portrait. Once I had an idea for a character, I built around it. After my character was fleshed out with personality and a past, the story really started. Characters are your best friends. Listen to their advice. (Yes, listen. And no, I'm not mad. They do seem to speak to you.)

3. Books. Get books on writing, get books in the genre you want to write, get out audiobooks to get a feel for pacing, get out every single blinking book that looks even halfway promising. These are your other best friends. They will teach you more than you could ever hope to teach yourself, speaking from personal experience. Read your face off.

4. Music. I suggest you use music to get you through the hard times. Get some really good music and (this is going to sound weird, but it works) create mental 'music videos' of scenes from your novel that you already have mapped out. It usually sparks some fresh ideas.

Tired of reading yet? Don't worry, I'm almost done my little speech.

I hope this has been of some help to you. I think you should take a writing course if you get the chance. You need all the help you can get, right? But if you can't, don't sweat it.

Lastly, here are two unnaturally helpful websites:
http://users.wirefire.com/tritt/home.htm…
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifehac…

Wishing you the best of luck!

~Tiger

Georgia Said:

What is the name of the on-line beginners writing course?

We Answered:

Check the RWA (Romance Writers Association of America) website: http://www.rwanational.org/

Tina Said:

What is the best creative writing course offered in the Los Angeles area?

We Answered:

Try UCLA. Pax-C