Start Your Novel

You want to write a novel, but you don't know where to start. You have a great idea and--well, that's all. This book explains the writing process of starting a novel in six winning steps.


    Starting the Journey

    Why Editors Focus on Page 1

    STEP ONE: Clarify Your Idea

    STEP TWO: Review Your Skills

    STEP THREE: Plan the Opening Chapter

    STEP FOUR: Plan the Opening Line

    STEP FIVE: Now, Write!

    STEP SIX: Revise


Writing teacher and author, Darcy Pattison, is the author of NOVEL METAMORPHOSIS: Uncommon Ways to Revise and How to Write a Children's Picture Book. She brings extensive experience in teaching writing to this exciting new book and helps you get started with the creative writing process.


NaNoWriMo? You need this book in October to help you plan what to write in November!


    29 Plot Templates

    2 Essential Writing Skills

    100 Examples of Opening Lines

    7 Weak Openings to Avoid

    4 Strong Openings to Use

    3 Assignments to Get Unstuck

    7 Problems to Resolve 


The Math adds up to one thing: a publishable manuscript.


Other books by Darcy Pattison


    Novel Metamorphosis: Uncommon Ways to Revise

    The Book Trailer Manual 

    How to Write a Children's Picture Book