Writing Novels

Lesson 2: Writing Your First Draft

Planning and Organizing

Scene. Chapter. Book. Novel. A scene is the smallest division of a novel. Each scene describes an event. The event advances the story by focusing on character, plot, or theme. Each scene contains a beginning, middle, and ending within itself, as does each chapter, as does the entire novel. Scene changes indicate changes in event, setting, time, etc.

A chapter is a group of scenes (or events) that combine to form a larger mini-story with a beginning, middle, and ending. Chapter divisions may indicate changes such as viewpoint, situation, setting, time, etc.

A book is a group of chapters. This division isn't always used. It might be used to separate different periods in a character's life such as before and after a major life event or before and after a change in a character's outlook on life.

A novel is a group of books or chapters. It contains the entire story from beginning to end.

The idea of planning and organizing your novel may seem overwhelming at first, but all you really need to focus on is one scene (one mini-story) at a time. You can write the entire story this way, but it helps to have some idea where you are going. Sometimes you'll know, sometimes you won't, and sometimes you'll be surprised. The natural progression of your story is instinctual for most writers, though you may move the parts around as you complete more of your novel and your understanding of your story increases.

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