How to Write the Novel to Publishing Standards - Presentation

This series of articles deals with the constructionseparate document on the computer. Create a
of the commercial novel - the popular categoriesfolder in which to store these documents. Get
or genre. Literary works may have different andinto the habit of creating new documents each
individual structures.time you start a new chapter, otherwise the
Most everyone can write a narrative, but merelywhole thing will become unwieldy when revising
writing narrative is the least skill a writer needs toand editing.
succeed as a published author. There are no rulesWhen saving chapter documents it is a good idea
in writing but there are conventions which writersto name them starting - chapter 01, 02, 03 etc.
should adhere to if they wish to be published. Thisso that the computer keeps them in order in
article, the first of the series, deals with the initialyour folder. Saving and storing chapter documents
steps to be taken in writing the successful novel.by name i.e. 'chapter one, chapter two, chapter
For the new writer - let us first look at the basicthree...' is meaningless to a computer. Without a
conventions of presentation before getting downfolder it will store them in any odd space it can
to the mechanics of writing the novel. The firstfind, making it difficult for the writer to find them
person who will see your manuscript is the editoragain. Even if kept in a folder, if the chapters are
of your target publisher. Publishers are besiegednot saved numerically, it will store them
daily by probably hundreds of manuscripts fromhaphazardly which can lead to problems for the
hopeful writers. The editor can tell at a glance atauthor and wastes time.
the first page whether it is worth his while toCommercial novels range in length from around
continue to read. The 'clean' appearance of a80,000 words to 120,000 words. Length, of
manuscript may help persuade him to do so. Thecourse, depends on the breadth and scope of the
basics of presentation of a manuscript are that ittale you want to tell. However, when deciding the
should be double spaced on one side of the paperlength of your proposed novel bear in mind the
only with reasonable margins either side for theinitial costs to the publisher in producing the novel.
editor to make notes.Shorter novels require smaller outlay then big
It is best if the pages appear to have just comeblockbusting novels. Costs may be a factor in the
out of a typewriter. The best font is Courier Newpublisher's decision as to whether or not to take
or Courier 12. Avoid fancy fonts which will annoyon your novel so it is worth bearing in mind.
the editor. Fussiness in a manuscript appearsThere can be as many chapters in your novel as
unprofessional.is required to tell your story. Chapters can range
Do number each page at the top right-handin length from several thousands words to just
corner. (No number appears on the title page -one word.
see below). For a busy editor page numbers areHowever, it is best if the author does not think in
harder to spot if they appear at the bottom ofterms of chapters when considering the structure
the page. Clarity is everything.and construction of his novel, but in terms of
Do not include the title of the work on any pagescenes. Chapters are essential in novels, but they
of the manuscript. Instead, the title and the 'byare not the building bricks of the novel. The
line' of the author should appear on a separatefundamental building bricks are words, of course,
sheet of paper - the title page. At the bottom ofbut we need to start at the next level - scenes.
this page include the author's name, address andNovels are structured in scenes - one scene
telephone number, also the number of words infollowing another. It should become obvious to the
the manuscript.author which scenes belong together to create a
The chapter heading i.e. 'Chapter One' appears halfchapter. A chapter can contain one scene or ten.
way down the first page of the manuscript.There is no hard and fast convention there.
There is no need of a 'by line' here. Do not indentThere is a great deal of work to do before
the first line, but each paragraph thereafter shouldstarting to write. The big question which haunts
be indented.many writers is - 'What shall I write about? The
Each chapter should begin on a new page. It goesnext article in the series explores that vexed
without saying that each chapter should be aquestion. Finding an idea - and making it viable.