Preparing To Write Your Novel With A Journal

[The video version is here.]

My writing journal is just a standard notebook. I cannot find any of those fancy numbered journals in Sibu, so I had to make do with this one. Make sure you like the notebook you pick. This may seem silly, but if you do not like the feel of the paper, or the colour of the lines, it will annoy you because you have to use it so much. At the very least, make sure that you feel neutral about it.

This post will only be discussing how I use this journal to prepare for my writing. I will not be talking about the word count tracker or writing logs or even how to track your submissions, because I am only interested in showing you what kind of basic information I need before I start writing, and why.

I really recommend using this system because it has helped me stay focused as well as helped me pick up where I left off. For this post, I will be using examples from a new adventure that I had planned for Ratai. I had to stop writing it in December last year because I turned my focus to Fairy Con and Encounters. I knew that this was going to be a long one to write, but I cannot put my life on hold for the next 2 to 3 years for it. So I am setting it aside for the time being until I have the time and resources to concentrate on it again. The thread will be easy to pick up because of all the notes I have collected in the writing journal.

1. Outline with a Fairy Tale

Like I've said before, to decide whether I want to turn an idea into a story, I start by writing out a fairy tale. Some people use bullet points, but I can't because I need to emotionally connect with the story. It also helps me decide what to research. In this case for example, the characters of this Iban family are from my other book Iban Woman, which was set in the 19th century. And since she goes to the trading port quite often, I know that I will need to do research on trade in the Malay Archipelago during that period.

I can only show you the first part here, because the next 2 pages might still change. Also, my Iban readers would be able to make a good guess about which folklore character I am highlighting in this new novel if they see the rest of my fairy-tale. I would like to keep that a surprise for them.

I have rewritten this many times, until I am satisfied with the beginning, middle and end. Once I am pleased with it, I will then make a list of the main characters and settings, and start my research.

2. Research

2a. Character

My organic writing style means that I fill in information in this page as the story grows. There will be basic stuff, of course, such as a tattoo or an attitude. In Ratai's case, because I have already built up her character in Iban Woman, I already have some points. Then as the story progress, I will add in more information.

For example in Iban woman, she received a guardian from Goddess Meni. In this story, she has a tengulun, a tattoo to show that she is a successful headhunter. As I developed her story in the beginning of the first few chapters, I made her an aloof person. She loves her husband but she is too proud to admit it. This kind of information helps me maintain her attitude throughout the story. That way she does not become emotional and dependent in one chapter then stubborn and assertive in the next.

2b. World

For the Setting, I will draw out a map to help me navigate the story world. This one here is based on an actual map of Sarawak. Even if you do not have a real-world setting for your story, I suggest that you draw out a map. It will be really helpful when you have to describe your character's movement or travels. See that compass there, that is the reason why I suggest you do this. The sun rises and sets in a fixed direction. So do stars. 

The last thing you want to do is write that the character is looking in the direction of home in separate chapters but in one, the sun is setting behind him, and in the other, the sun is rising behind him. Make up your mind: Is home east or west? Some readers have long memories, even if we don't.

In this map, I have changed the names of the towns and villages, but I kept the name of the rivers. For example, I changed Daro to Baru and Sibu to Maling for this story. This is not based on any historical name, it is just to help me describe travels and movements.

2c. Diagram

I also draw diagrams of villages, houses or a boat in this example. I find that these diagrams are very helpful when I need to move my characters about in the space. This way I do not have to rely on 'coincidences' for a hiding place or an activity. At the very least, I will know what can or cannot happen in a particular space. This stops me from writing my character into a problem I cannot get her out of. 

Yes, I also label everything. When you are in the heat of writing, the worst thing is to try to remember a word. It can really throw you off.

Since I write organically, I find it helpful if I am able to visualise a setting clearly from the start. This is why I make a list of items in the boat, and where they are kept. For example, whenever I write about the hunting spear, I know exactly where I have to make my character keep it in or take it out from, or even which direction to look towards when she senses danger.

2d. Information

I also collect real-world information about the history of trade and the type of technology that was available in the 19th century. Since Ratai's story is based in Sarawak and since she trades along the river, I will have to look up the Malay Archipelago history to get an idea of what was trading and what currency was used. These are usually just basic stuff that I need for character interactions.

For example here, 1 pasu of rice is equivalent to 14.4 kilogram. This way I know that a young boy will not be able to carry it alone. Also batik is mentioned by Lancaster in 1601 or 1602. So I know I can use batik in my story. Even writing down how fast boats normally travel has helped me write a scene of dolphins racing alongside Ratai's boat.

Doubt is your worst enemy when you are trying to build drama. Every time when you are not sure about something, you will not be able to use it to full effect in your story. So it is very important that you get as much common information as you need. Your skill as the storyteller will make the object special.

3. Tracking

3a. Spelling

As I continue to write, I might come across words that are spelled differently in different time period. The names of folklore characters are also different in different regions. I will make a list of these words. There is no right or wrong spelling. For example, both Selampadai and Sempadai refer to the Iban creator god who molds human out of clay. I picked Selampadai, and to make sure that I stay consistent for the whole book, I make a note of it in this page.

3b. Event Tracker

Of course as I write, I will also fill in a simple tracker. The events written in ink, are parts that I have already written out. The ones in pencil are the parts I am still working on. Since I love the fairy tale I have written, I have yet to be tempted away from that storyline. I have to hide away a wee bit here because I do not want people familiar with Iban folklore to guess the premise of my story. 

3c. Chapters Data

I also have something I call the Chapters Data. Here I keep track of who, where and what occurred in each chapter. You don't have to do this. As I explained in my previous video, my memory is fluid, so I need this system. I started using it when I was writing 'The Monk Prince' because there was so much detail that must come together for the climax. There was also a lot of changes to that story over many years, so having a detailed tracker helped me see how any change would affect different parts of the story.

Experiment With Different Styles

 I have tried the full outlining technique before, but I find that I spend so much time minutely planning the story that by the time I am ready to write, I have lost interest in it. Sometimes I want to change something but I can't because the detailed planning meant that any new changes will have a rippling effect on the rest of the story. That being said, the Outlining method can help you finish your story faster and with more confidence. If you are interested to know more, check out the tips from other writers online. 

However, if you are like me, and you can't make up your mind, you should give the organic method a try. Use the fairy-tale to control the trajectory of your story.

Remember there is no right or wrong method: Only the bespoke method. Experiment to understand what is best for you.

Start writing. Keep writing. Goodbye.