Jen Desmarais

Step 1: Panic!

Step 2: Write 3 sentences that cover the main 3 beats of the story; beginning, middle, end.

Step 2a: (Because I forgot about this one and don’t want to renumber) Write out the character info for the main characters and secondary characters. The main characters should include descriptions of themselves as well as their motivations, weaknesses, strengths, nicknames, etc. Anything I can think of to make them who they are. Secondary characters only need descriptions at this point.

Step 3: Write out everything I can think of in jot note form for each beat.

Step 4: Ignore all of that and start a new document.

Step 5: Break the novel into the 3 parts. Decide how many chapters I want in each, and how many words will be in each chapter. (I usually say 3k as an approximate, 8 chapters in each part.)

Step 6: Copy all the jot notes into their appropriate chapter.

Step 7: Make sure everything flows properly. Fill in any missing information. Add red herrings and foreshadowing at appropriate points.

Optional
Step 8: Count the high action scenes (fight, sex, whatever) and make sure they’re spread out decently.

Not listed: Ask Éric for help at every step above so he can reassure me that I do, in fact, know what I’m doing.