Do you know if you write a page a day that within one year you will have written a book? How many times have I heard that one? Truth is, writing a first draft is the easy part. It’s the revision process that can take years.

I can usually belt out a first draft in a few months. But the rereads; forgetta’bout it. That’s the time consuming stuff though I am getting better at it as I get older (and hopefully wiser). I’m also getting better as a writer. Ideas come more easily after so many years of living in my ideas and the process of getting them on paper is less time-consuming.

For my new novel, I’m finding the plot twists are coming naturally and I’ve had quite a few ‘aha!’ moments in the last few days. Here’s the secret to starting a new novel. Don’t worry about the perfect first chapter or getting that perfect first line. Just start jotting down a story and have fun in your imagination.

With most of my books, I complete about half the novel when I usually go back and write new intro’s that incorporate the original intro’s, if that makes any sense. For instance, I thought I had the perfect intro for my latest; a shocking, get-right-into-the-action first chapter. When a few hours ago I came up with a much better start. My original beginning is now chapter two. But that original intro catapulted me into the story so I could build a base.

Writing is easy if in the beginning stages you don’t stress too much about grammar and perfect sentences. What’s important is creating characters and setting that draws a reader immediately into your world. You can worry about all the imperfections after that plot has been established and you’ve got four hundred pages of story. That’s how I do it, anyway.

 To read more about me and my books please check out my blog: ALWAYS WRITING  http://www.neilostroff.blogspot.com