How to write the first draft of a novel

This begins to form a loose outline of a plot. I draw up a plot line, which is very sketchy to begin with and might only be the first three or four chapters. I've created some characters, aside that is from the usual cast of characters who appear in the Inspector Andy Horton crime novels, the Art Marvik mystery thrillers and my 1950s set Inspector Ryga mysteries. Then I start the creative writing process as soon as I can and direct on to my computer.
The first draft is the free flow creative writing stage when I'm eager to bring the idea and characters to life.
I like to write this first draft as quickly as possible. The characters who are to appear for the first time in that novel (not my regulars) are initially hazy, they're not fully formed, but they start to come alive as they speak, move around the scenes and interact with others in the novels.
The grammar and punctuation in this first draft leaves a lot to be desired but that is something that can be corrected later.
As I write, more ideas come to me. I conduct further research. The plot begins to fill out and take shape, sub plots are weaved in. In the Andy Horton series there is also Horton's ongoing investigation to discover the truth behind his mother's disappearance thirty years ago.
Keeping track of first drafts
As I write this first draft I will also flag up questions that at some point need to be answered, this might be connected with research or it might be why X has said something and gone somewhere, or why Y has done this or that. All these questions I keep a list of, knowing that as I work my way through the novel they will need to be answered.
My aim is to get the first draft written as quickly as I can and not to get hooked on editing.
The latter is very easy to do, because as most of us know editing is easier than creating. Many writers can spend an enormous amount of time making that first chapter, that first paragraph even that first sentence perfect, but striving for perfection during this phase means the rest of the novel never gets written.
It usually takes me about three months to write the first draft. It's a pleasurable time but also a frustrating one because I am keen to get the story written. Once I have approximately eighty five thousand to a hundred thousand words on screen I can then breathe a sigh of relief and look forward to the second draft and many more revisions to come.
Pauline Rowson's gripping, entertaining crime novels full of twists and turns
If you enjoy reading gripping, fast-paced crime novels full of twists and turns, compelling and multi-layered with great characters and stories that keep you guessing right to the end then Pauline Rowson's crime novels are right up your street.
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POSTED BY: PAULINE ROWSON
MARCH 12TH, 2021 @ 6:14:49 GMT
MARCH 12TH, 2021 @ 6:14:49 GMT
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- On location with DI Andy Horton in DEAD PASSAGE
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- Happy Book Birthday to Marvik in DEAD SEA
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- How to write the first draft of a novel
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- Writing a crime novel - mastering point of view (POV)
- DI Andy Horton at the scenes of the crime in DEAD PASSAGE
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