How to write a novel, given the synopsis that I had written?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the process of writing a novel, particularly for someone who has completed a synopsis but is unsure of the next steps. Participants explore the differences between writing novels and short stories, the importance of reading novels, and how to structure a novel into chapters.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that many popular novels began as short stories, encouraging the idea of starting small to develop writing skills.
  • One participant recounts the example of Orson Scott Card's "Ender's Game," which originated from a short story, illustrating how a synopsis can be expanded into a full novel.
  • There is a suggestion that reading a substantial number of novels is essential for understanding the form and improving writing skills.
  • Another participant questions the motivation to write a novel without having read any, emphasizing the need for familiarity with the genre.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the value of reading poetry for insights into novel writing.
  • There is a discussion about whether to think of the general plot across all chapters or to focus on individual chapter plots when expanding a synopsis into a novel.
  • One participant asserts that writers have the freedom to approach their writing however they choose, indicating a more flexible perspective on the process.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of reading novels before writing one, with some emphasizing its importance while others suggest that the writer is free to pursue their own path. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to structuring a novel from a synopsis.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight the lack of familiarity with novels as a potential barrier to writing one, while others advocate for a more individualistic approach to the writing process. The discussion reflects a variety of perspectives on the relationship between reading and writing.

bagasme
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Hello all,

In schools I had been dealt with novels (just quotes from them) on any language classes. I had discussed a lot about its plot, the characters, background, and even moral stories. But I haven't ever been taught about how to write my own.

In grade 12 of high school, instead I learned about design my own novel. I had to decide about its theme, characters, plot, background, and moral stories. From above, I made a summary (synopsis).

I know I had written a few short stories, mostly as assignments.

What are next steps to write my novel, after completing its synopsis? Is writing a novel different from short stories?

Bagas
 
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Many popular novels and movie scripts began as short stories. Begin small and develop your skills.

For example Orson Scott Card wrote a short battle SF story centered on a child soldier named Bean after a devastating war. Card expanded the short story to a full length novel "Ender's Game" with new characters and a more detailed future society. Bean, still sad and weary, became a supporting character. "Ender's Game" expanded to a series of novels based on characters and situations developed in the central novel. Movies, graphic novels, and video games followed.
 
bagasme said:
In schools I had been dealt with novels (just quotes from them)

It sounds like you haven't read any novels. Is that true? If so, I'd start by reading a few hundred.
 
bagasme said:
Hello all,

In schools I had been dealt with novels (just quotes from them) on any language classes. I had discussed a lot about its plot, the characters, background, and even moral stories. But I haven't ever been taught about how to write my own.

In grade 12 of high school, instead I learned about design my own novel. I had to decide about its theme, characters, plot, background, and moral stories. From above, I made a summary (synopsis).

I know I had written a few short stories, mostly as assignments.

What are next steps to write my novel, after completing its synopsis? Is writing a novel different from short stories?

Bagas

You may or may not gain insight from W H Auden's poem The Novelist:

https://fourteenlines.blog/tag/the-novelist-by-w-h-auden/
 
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Vanadium 50 said:
It sounds like you haven't read any novels. Is that true? If so, I'd start by reading a few hundred.

Novels aren't up my alley.

During language courses, I only read quotes (snippets) from novels only.
 
Klystron said:
Many popular novels and movie scripts began as short stories. Begin small and develop your skills.

For example Orson Scott Card wrote a short battle SF story centered on a child soldier named Bean after a devastating war. Card expanded the short story to a full length novel "Ender's Game" with new characters and a more detailed future society. Bean, still sad and weary, became a supporting character. "Ender's Game" expanded to a series of novels based on characters and situations developed in the central novel. Movies, graphic novels, and video games followed.

But in my case I had synopsis to be expanded into the novel.

I know that novels divided into chapters. Should I think about general plot (across all chapters), then think about plot in each chapters, or else?
 
If you've never read a novel, why on Earth would you want to write one? (And if you are unfamiliar with the form, how will you know if you have done a good job with yours?)

If you are going to ask our advice, why ignore it (suggestion to read some)?
 
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bagasme said:
But in my case I had synopsis to be expanded into the novel.

I know that novels divided into chapters. Should I think about general plot (across all chapters), then think about plot in each chapters, or else?
You are free to do whatever you like.
 
  • #10
Vanadium 50 said:
If you've never read a novel, why on Earth would you want to write one? (And if you are unfamiliar with the form, how will you know if you have done a good job with yours?)

If you are going to ask our advice, why ignore it (suggestion to read some)?
@Vanadium 50 so let's read random novels to get the idea how they can be written
 
  • #11
PeroK said:
You are free to do whatever you like.
Yeah, FFA (free for all)
 
  • #12
This thread is going nowhere. Time to close.
 
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