• Preface To The Fourth Edition
• Taking Those First Vital Steps
• Finding The Right Story
• Creating The Right Characters
• Getting Ready To Start
• Looks And Language
• Setting The Scene
• The Overall View
• Submitting Your Work
• Working With Other Writers
• Being Published

The Beginner’s Guide To Writing A Novel

• Preface To The Fourth Edition
• Taking Those First Vital Steps
  • The Reasons Novelists Write
  • Being Professional
  • Being Methodical
  • Novels Are Easier To Publish Than Short Stories
  • They’ll Take So Much Time! A Fallacy
  • Studying The Market
  • Studying The Craft
  • Discussion Points
• Finding The Right Story
  • Looking For Ideas Everywhere
  • An Example
  • Plotting
  • Doing Research
  • Discussion Points
• Creating The Right Characters
  • Choosingyour Cast With Care
  • Fleshing Out Characters
  • Working Out Relationships And Conflicts
  • Discussion Points
• Getting Ready To Start
  • Choosing The Right Title
  • Using The Right Viewpoints
  • Establishing Your Voice
  • Getting The Beginning Right
  • Discussion Points
• Looks And Language
  • Presentation Matters
  • Making Language Work For You
  • Using Grammar, Punctuation And Spelling
  • Using Vocabulary, Slang And Dialect
  • Using Dialogue
  • Discussion Points
• Setting The Scene
  • Paying Attention To Detail
  • Checking The Facts
  • Teasing The Senses
  • Using Description And Flashbacks
  • The Middle Must Be Compulsive Reading
  • Useful Reference Books
  • Discussion Points
• The Overall View
  • Avoiding Writer’s Block
  • Directing Your Scenes
  • Controlling The Pace
  • Considering The Overall Pattern
  • Keeping The Pages Turning
  • Cliffhanging Techniques
  • Writing A Satisfying Ending
  • Discussion Points
• Submitting Your Work
  • Final Polishing
  • Using An Agent
  • Entering Competitions
  • Choosing The Right Publisher
  • Preparing Proposals, Outlines And Synopses
  • Multiple Submissions
  • Discussion Points
• Working With Other Writers
  • Different Methods
  • Books And Magazines
  • Joining Home Study Courses
  • Obtaining Professional Criticism
  • Networking
  • Joining Writers’ Groups
  • Attending Courses, Workshops And Weekends
  • Resources On The Internet
  • Discussion Points
• Being Published
  • Contracts, Copyright And Legal Matters
  • The Process Of Publication
  • Book Jackets
  • Publicity In Many Guises
  • Advances, Royalties And Subsidiary Rights
  • Public Lending Right
  • Allowable Expenses
  • Income Tax And Vat
  • Final Tips And Words Of Encouragement
  • Discussion Points