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: 1) Start writing the first few pages. Just let whatever comes out pour onto the page. As soon as it sto[s feeling natural stop. If you don't have much repeat this step a couple of times. : 2) Sleep on it. Come back in the morning and read over what you wrote. Correct any gramatical or obvious stylistic erors. Then walk around and think about what you wrote. How did it make you feel? Can you think of more story? : 3) Start thinking of the rest of the plot. Don't be too specific or set that the story can't carry you down alternate roads, but don't lose so much control that you are no longer telling a story. : 4) Split up your novel into a couple of sections that have dramatic breaks between them. Save these in different files and transfer them each as you complete them into a master mss (mcript). If you get blocked in one section, start on another. Mark each chapter and page break between them but don't number them in case you decide later a chapter is needed between two previously written chapters. : 5) Write as often as possible for 1-8 hour periods. A semi-polished page or two an hour is about right. I, and most other writers, have both beaten this significantly as well as fallen short. : 6) Write in whatever font, page setup, and line spacing you feel comfortable with (I use single spaced Times New Roman) but when transfering to the overall mss., use 12 point font courier or new courier font (nothing should deviate from this), double-spaced, no italics or boldface (underline instead), and 1.25" margins all around. Number each chapter now with a number centered above the text and begin each new chapter halfway down a new page. On the cover page write your legal name, address, and phone number in the top lefthand corner. Halfway down the page write the title and in the line below that the name you want the work attributed to. At the bottom of the page write the word count. Pay no attention to your word processor and use this guide--230-280 pages-60,000 words; 280-350 pages-80,000; 350-500 pages-100,000 words; 500+ words-120,000 words. These are the general guidelines editors and agents expect. : 7) Print up the mss. and wait a week. Read it with a red pen in hand. Focus on style and plot and make the changes to the mss. Go over the mss. again with a blue pen looking for gramatical errors. Make those changes, too. : 8) Print up the revised mss. and give a couple of copies to friends of yours. Try to pick friends who read widely or read book similiar to yours. Also give them red pens and tell them to right comments as they see them. Tell them to be harsh but specific, and, no matter what they say, take no offense. If you do, no one wil want to help revise your work again. : 9) Make the changes YOU feel are good ideas and reread a newly revised mss. (now the third or fourth draft). Revise it again as necessary. : 10) Get a copy of WRITER'S MARKET or WRITER'S GUIDE TO AGENTS, EDITORS, AND PUBLISHERS and pick out 5-10 agents and 5-10 SPECIFIC editors who might be interested in your mss. Send them a query letter along the guidelines they request in 9x12 clasp envelopes with self addressed, stamped no. 10 envelopes (SASE) enclosed. A general outline of a query letter might look like this: : I. The hook--think up a good discription for your mss. that leaves the reader wanting more. Include the word count, setting, main characters, and driving conflict. : II. The bio--give an idea who you are. If you've never published before, skip this part. Also write why you feel the mss. is compelling and who the audience is. : III. The wrap up--thank the person for their time and include why you wrote to them (mention a book they represented/edited). Note that you've included an SASE and that you eagerly await their response. : The letter should be appr. 1 page in Times New Roman single spaced with an extra space between the non-indented paragraphs. Include a letterhead with your name, address, and phone number. Date the letter and below the date include the name, position, and company with address of the person you are sending it to. In the opening greeting say "Dear Mr. (Mrs.)" and that person's name. Address the package to the company c/o the adressee. : I hope this helps. Good luck!

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