Setting the Stage – An Overview
Issue #17
Darn (you may be muttering under your breath). Just when you thought you were going to start writing, there’s more pre-work to do! And by stage-setting I’m not even talking about the elements of story we touched on in issue #11, namely Characters, Setting, Structure and Publication. I’m talking the purely logistical when and where and how much points of writing. At the risk of mixing metaphors, you could also think of this in terms of nesting—in which a mother-to-be prepares her home and herself for a new baby—except here it's writers getting ready to pen their novels.
In the spirit of getting all our ducks in a row (hey, if you’re going to mix metaphors, why not mix them all?), let’s do a super-quick, illustrated overview.
You may have already thought this stuff out, or perhaps you’re weary of organizing for now. If so, feel free to skip the next few issues and get to your writing in true Pantser fashion, as in issue #12.
On the other hand, if you’re open to planning a bit and checking out the above five questions in more depth as a Plotter (again, issue #12) be sure to catch coming issues where we’ll examine them, one by one. Personally speaking, considering these points have truly helped my own writing.
But that’s just me. It may very well not work for you. Which as an aside should lead to the following irrebuttable writing rule (meaning one that cannot be argued or denied):
In writing, the only rules you should apply are the ones that work for you.
Whenever contemplating any writing advice, pick and choose what to use. Some suggestions might seem quite individually pertinent, other bits will, for you, no doubt fall flat. Always remember: there are many valid routes to creating a successful novel. I’m only offering ideas.
If you’re still on board and want a closer look at the idea of these five stage-setting questions, it’s time to psych yourself up. For me, a lot of this is about maintaining mindset, a concept covered way back in issue #2, which to summarize involves a combination of self-discipline, confidence and the ability to keep enjoying the process.
Let’s get a general sense of what’s ahead by skimming this new list one more time.
1. How will you physically write it?
2. Where will you write?
3. How many words in total?
4. What time of day will you write?
5. How often and how much—and how will you make the magic happen?
Got an overall impression? If you’re honest, it might be dawning on you how many decisions lie ahead of you, how seriously it’ll shake up your daily routine, and how much flexibility and commitment it will require. I’ll leave you with three more points to contemplate, even as you roughly consider these five questions.
Prepare
· To make changes in your lifestyle
· To come up with reasonable goals
· To activate self-discipline
In the following issues, we’ll apply these points of preparation to each of our questions on setting the stage for writing a novel.
Here’s another one that came up in a class and was not posed in question-form. It seemed to me to be more of the support-seeking variety.
Q: I am starting to understand how much work it would be to be to write a novel. I’m also beginning to think my life is too busy to fit it in.
A: If you think life is too busy and you’re having second thoughts, it sounds like you may not be ready to make the commitment. Feel no shame. Writing a novel is a matter of priorities, and you’ll have to make up your own mind on whether you are ready to embark on that journey at this time.
But if it’s a push you want, here’s a parting Tweet (or X-post) for you:
Time to buff up your vocabulary. Once our word-of-the-issue sinks in, you will find it inarguably memorable. Check your retention below!
What is irrebuttable?
Action Plan
Please patronize the talented Unsplash photographers with which many of my issues are illustrated!
Next up:
#18) How will you write it? See you in two weeks!
Craig
Thank you for the links 😊. I am looking forward to this summer where I’ll be free for 2.5 months. I wanted to get more of the writing for a book about my grandmother then, so reading up all your posts is helping me to get prepared. Thanks!