Novel Writing Just Got Easier

Why read dozens of books on Novel Writing, or visit dozens of Web Sites, when all the expert help and advice you need is right here?

Whether you already have a novel or two under your belt and have simply lost your way, or whether you are a complete newcomer, I can help.

So Who Am I?

My name is Harvey Chapman and I am a teacher of creative writing. As a matter of fact, I have been studying the art and craft of novel writing for a quarter of a century now, and this Web Site is the result. (It's my baby, if you like, so please treat it gently.)

Oh, and it's growing all the time, so be sure to check back regularly.

• To find out more about me, and to read an extract from my own fiction, click here.
• If you want to read what others have said about Novel Writing Help, here are some unsolicited testimonials.
• And if you want to get in touch, about anything at all, don't be afraid to Contact Me. I am always happy to hear from anyone who loves reading and writing novels as much as I do.

Okay, Down to Business...

The first thing you'll want to know is where do you begin. The answer, of course, is at the beginning.

Broadly speaking, if you follow all those buttons over on the left, from top to bottom, you'll have a shiny new novel sitting on your desk by the time you reach the Sell Your Novel Section.

How long it takes you to get there, of course, is entirely your call, but novel writing really shouldn't be rushed.

• If you can write a novel in 6 months, good on you.
• If it takes you 6 years, so what?

Good luck on your novel writing journey!

P.S. Are you unsure if you have what it takes to write a novel? Then read The Three Keys to Successful Novel Writing to find out.

Recent Articles:

July 3: How to Write Fiction Using Flashbacks
Exposition is telling the reader information, usually about a character's past. In Flashbacks, you show the reader the incident from the past in the form of a dramatized scene.

(Also: Finally managed to get an extract from my own fiction online. You can read it here. Strictly non-essential!)

1: Plotting a Novel Using "Plot Units"
If you think of writing a plot like building a wooden bridge, Plot Units are the raw material - the planks of timber. (Updated articles on Beginnings, Middles, and Endings to follow soon.)

June 30: The Exposition of a Story
Exposition is information. It isn't a part of your novel's events, but it helps to explain those events. (Companion article on Flashbacks coming soon.)

27: Theme and the Writing Process
A brief article describing the best way to handle theme as you plan and write your novel.

25: The King of Dialogue Rules
This article is actually more of a discussion on what dialogue in a novel is - and what makes it different from a conversation.

23: Writing Authentic Dialogue
There is a difference between writing authentic dialogue and writing good dialogue. You can fill your novel with good dialogue which nevertheless fails to ring true.

19: The Tools to Write Fiction
Writing a novel is one of those rare things in life that is remarkably cheap. A pencil and the back of an envelope will get you started. Though there are a few other essentials.

15: New Testimonials Section
Hey, you've got to blow your own trumpet sometimes!

13: Round Characters and Flat Characters (Updated)
If you think that Round Characters are a good thing in novel writing and Flat Characters bad, you might want to check out these updated and expanded articles.

10: Naming Your Story People
Some useful tips on where to find names for your characters and how to pick the right ones.

9: Writing a Multiple Viewpoint Novel (Update)
A Multiple Viewpoint Novel is one in which two or more members of your cast list become Viewpoint Characters - that is, those characters through whose eyes we witness the events of the novel and whose thoughts and feelings we have direct access to.

8: Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing is all about keeping your readers turning those pages. It tells them that there are exciting scenes ahead but without giving away too much.

5: First Person Point of View (Update)
First person point of view is, on the face of it, the most attractive viewpoint. This article discusses its advantages and disadvantages.

The Main Sections of Novel Writing Help:

Start Here: The Novel Writing Process
When you set out on a long journey you need a good map. The Novel Writing Process is both an outline for writing a novel and a User's Guide to this Web Site.

The Fiction Writing Basics
The worst thing you can do when writing a novel - particularly your first novel - is to rush. Begin your journey by considering some of these fundamental fiction writing issues.

Finding Creative Writing Ideas
You might not know it yet, but you're actually bursting with great Fiction Ideas. You have enough raw material inside you right now for more novels than you could ever hope to complete.

What Is Theme?
A lot of Creative Writing textbooks barely touch on the important question of Theme. Is that because it is something you can ignore? Not if you are serious about your writing.

Setting: Writing a Story With Atmosphere
When you are Writing a novel, character and plot are the two most important ingredients. Having a vividly-evoked setting comes a very close third.

Point of View in Literature
This is the one area a lot of newcomers have problems with - not least, the decision whether to use 1st person or 3rd person point of view. You will find all the answers in this section.

Creating Characters
Creating Characters is arguably the most important part of novel writing. Places and plots count for nothing without dynamic story people.

Writing Dialogue
Want to know the first rule of Writing Dialogue? If it sounds like a conversation you would hear in the real world, you've gone wrong somewhere.

Writing a Plot
Make no mistake: Writing a Plot for your novel is no small task. Entire books have been written on the subject. But it needn't be daunting...

Advanced Elements of Plot
Having created a solid basic plot, the next stage is to add bells and whistles to it. This section will show you how.

How to Write a Book the Easy Way
I'm talking about the actual Writing here, the setting down of words on paper - as opposed to Planning, which is what you have been doing up to now.

Publishing a Novel
I've always believed that the sense of achievement that comes from writing a novel is its own reward. But let's be honest: Getting Published is the real prize.

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