Firstly I would like thank all of those of you who have commented on some of my previous questions. (thank you)
This questions I ask is I suppose a bit of a silly question. But I have had a poor education as a child, and was neglected because I was not as sharp as the others in my class. But I am trying to resolve this issue. I am taking a writing course with the OU this year. Back to the question I have though, I have a yearning to write a book and can't stop coming up with ideas for stories. Yet I know my grammar and punctuation is well below the standard it should be. But I also believe in dreams and my dream is to have a book published before I die. I am not going to question my luck by saying that I think I have time on my side, because the opposite to that is you never know what is around the corner. As I am fully aware of as I was involved in a head on collision car accident last November. So I do think that I am been given the chance to write my book. Another reason I ask this question is that I am aware of other authors that also have not had the literary skills. Yet have gone on to produce a grate piece writing and that in turn has gone on to become a blockbuster film. The author in mind is Andrea Dumbar, and although her work started out as a play to start with it eventually went on to become a book. I suppose the point I'm trying to ask is could I learn as much from reading different styles of writing. Than actually taking some written exam just so I have proof that I've Studied. I think I have the structure to write a good story and I know that research is the key getting things factual. and if your story is believable then the reader will let you take them on the journey you wish to take them. I hope some of this makes sense to you when you read it and I hope you can give me some Ideas and advice on what would you do in my shoes. ( Thank You)
I agree heartily with David on the dyslexia thing. It can be really hard to spot - my daughter wasn't diagnosed until her third year in college, making me really ashamed I'd not thought to investigate the possibility earlier :(
Bear in mind that grammar can always be fixed. Telling the story is the hard part - if you can do THAT well you're 99% there.
Best of luck :)
My turn for the short answer ;-)
The important thing is to write.
Write what you can - anything. Just get started.
If you haev a novel in mind - write down the bare bones - or, as Adrian would put it - plan the story... ;-)
Don't worry about what you do next. Just write - maybe parts of the story - maybe other things. Very few people write a first work without some element of practice.
Practice won't necessarily make perfect - but you should see that you manage to improve.
One thing that you can be helped by - assuming that you are using a laptop or other PC - write some sentences that you are fairly sure of - and then grammar check them. You will probably find that the grammar in the computer will sometimes come up with some suggestions that look completely wrong to you - if so - figure what you think is correct.
You don't mention dyslexia but have you researched this at all? There is a dyslexia society or institute that can provide you with tests that will inform you about how your brain works. Even if this shows that you are completely not dyslexic the information is useful to know - it indicates where you might, or might not, need assistance.
With the OU course - express your concerns to your tutors - it will help them to help you.
Let us know how you get on please.
David
I detect a little self-doubt, or a mini crisis of confidence. We can't have that Gordon, because you have a book to write. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. So, keep your chin up.
I would not concern yourself with grammar and punctuation. I didn't fully address that issue until I completed my first draft which was full of more glaring errors. Grammar and punctuation were the least of my worries in the first draft.
I like the self-taught Abraham Lincoln, had a defective education. My grammar and punctuation improved by reading, and yours will too. I have a copy of the Penguin book on Punctuation, and the Penguin book of Grammar to guide me.
Read, read, read about your genre. You will pick up good things from the best award winning authors.
Professor Raleigh (not Walter Raleigh) 'Good novelists are readers of good literature.'
Research the tutors on the OU course. Get a list of the modules. I have no intention of doing a creative writing course, but am interested to know what the OU course involves. More important than any diploma, is what you learn about the aspects of the novel and how to orchestrate them.
Below is my personal guide. I hope that you find it useful you
ADRIAN’S - WRITING / REVISION AND EDITING GUIDE
WRITING TIPS
One main storyline: keep the storyline as straight and clear as you can make it.
Plot / Chain of events.
Central themes, Eg : Revenge, Love, Hate, Life, Death, Greed, Betrayal, Adversity.
Be careful that there are not too many changes of geographical settings or locations.
When you change, have a strong reason for doing so.
One main character: not too many characters, a maximum of five or six is best.
Focus the readers like and dislike in your characters. How do the characters function:
Elianor is sensible, Marianne is over-emotional, Macbeth is ambitious, etc.
Round characters are key and very important.
Flat characters play minor roles.
OPENING TO THE NOVEL
Your opening should be dramatic, straight Into the Action.
Frame by frame continuity.
What are the functions of your characters?
What makes each character uniquely different from each other?
SHOW DON’T TELL
Define your characters by their actions, and by what they think and say about each other.
SENTENCES
Sign-Posting is Very Important.
Each Sentence : What is My Basic Point Subject? What Am I Saying About It?
If in doubt over a choice of words, opt for the simple word over the longer more complicated word.
Keep sentences short, use simple vocabulary.
Sentences should be visual and speakable.
One thought one sentence.
Build sentence round a person or solid object.
CHAPTERS
Chapters should be short: no more than eight to twelve pages. They can be as short as half a page, or two, three, four pages in length.
Chapters should have broad themes, yet be strong as a unit.
A chapter should link with the preceding and following chapter.
Chapters should have a dramatic opening. A landmark signpost and end with a cliff-hanger. (maybe) or a hook (always).
Who or what is the chapter about?
Where is the chapter set/location?
Each chapter should be a water-tight, self-contained episode.
PARAGRAPHS
A paragraph should contain one main topic.
The topic should be clearly signalled by the opening sentence, which is called a topic sentence.
You should be able to get an overview of the content of a paragraph by just by scanning the opening (topic) sentence of each paragraph.
The topic is then developed, either by further explanation, an example, or by a contrast of opinion.
You may occasionally need a linking sentence to the next paragraph.
Short paragraphs are best – long paragraphs only if it is necessary.
A break in the text occurs at a change of, Subject, Time, Place and Viewpoint, indicated by asterisks or a white space between sections.
DIALOGUE
Half to two-thirds of your novel your novel should consist of dialogue. Only use stream-of-thought for secret, or private, or highly individual experience.
It is vitally important to have your characters talk to each other.
Use characters’ streams of thought to let people know their inner world; perhaps reveal things that would not be revealed in any other way.
What did your characters, think, see, hear, smell, taste or feel.
Is your dialogue speakable?
Does your dialogue make sense when spoken aloud?
CAN I SEE IT
Use your imagination to picture the scene you are writing about.
Write descriptions of your characters’ surroundings. What they see, hear, touch, taste, smell.
Use vivid descriptions.
Use real life experiences to describe characters, scenes and locations.
FAMOUS AUTHOR’S ADVICE
Henry James : Dramatise, Dramatise, Dramatise. Add as much credible drama and suspense as possible.
Ruth Padell : Show Don’t Tell. Do not narrate when your characters can explain themselves and each other, by what they say, think and do.
Walter Allen : Settings are centrally important and should be motivated.
What is the purpose of the setting?
What is its role in the novel?
Raleigh : Good novelists are great novel readers.
James Patterson : Outline, outline, outline. Plan you novel. Have the beginning, middle and end. List your chapters before you start writing.
FR and QD Leavis : The Function of characters, their roles in the novel should be made clear.
What is unique to each individual character.
Alain : ( French Philosopher ) An abstract style is always bad. Your sentences should be full of stones, metals, chairs, tables, animals, men and women.
SEVEN TESTS OF A NOVEL
MEMORIZE - TCPSSSD
T = Themes / Concepts - Eg, Conflict between Love and Duty
C = Characters / Character Driven Novel
P = Plot / Linked Cause and Effect Storyline
S = Structure / Chapters to end with a Hook or Cliffhanger, and in general to be resolved in next chapters opening paragraphs.
S = Style / Speakable – Visual – Does it Flow – Is the Style as Simple as Possible, but No Simpler.
S = Setting / Reason for the Setting – Setting to be Generally Motivated
Drama = Show don’t Tell / Dramatise Dramatise Dramatise
Editing Checklist
1) Plot - Linked Cause and Effect throughout my novel.
2) Storyline - Check for Weaknesses, Repetition and 'Shoes and Socks'
problems.
3) Characters - Their Function and Actions. Eg. Are they Always Acting in Character.
4) Sign-Posting - In my chapters have I Indicate to the reader where there next part of my story is leading.
5) Topic Sentences - Do my Paragraphs have a Topic Sentences to indicate to the reader what the next section is about.
6) Chapter Titles - Are my Chapter Titles suitable.
7) Chapters - Do my Chapters have a Dramatic Opening, A Landmark Signpost, and End with a Cliffhanger, or a Hook.
8) Dialogue - Does it make Sense when Spoken Aloud.
9) Streams of Thought - Does it make Sense when Spoken Aloud.
10) Descriptions - Are they Vivid and not to long.
11) Settings - Do my Settings have a Strong Purpose. Are they Generally Motivated.
12) Prose - Does my Prose Flow. Does it have Pace.
13) Keep my sentences as short as possible.
14) Fix clunky sentences.
15) Cutting Superfluous Text - Every-Word-Must-Earn-Its-Keep.
16) Grammar.
17) Punctuation.
You cannot hope to edit everything in one go. It has taken me numerous edits before the exhausting process began to reduce to a manageable level.
My guide/checklist needs refining but I am sure you understand it.
All are welcome to copy and paste it.
I hope that helps answer your question.
Good luck.