A Novel Approach for Writers

By Darlene Reilley

Choosing a writing life means embarking on a transformative journey. But you don't have to walk the path alone.

Hi, I'm Darlene Reilley, an indie author, Book Dragon, and seasoned writer who invites you to revolutionize your writing experience with a new adventure.

This isn't just a guide, but a sourcebook that helps you ignite a dynamic shift in how you perceive and execute your craft.

In "A Novel Approach for Writers," I invite you to revolutionize your writing experience.

You will explore:

Part I: Discover/Read

What elements are crucial in the theory of discovery for writing a novel?

How does escapism and entertainment contribute to the creative process?

What connects should writers establish in their literary journey?

What inspires and shapes a compelling narrative?

Part II: Author/Write

How can writers navigate the emotional rollercoaster of the writing process?
What strategies and mindset shifts are essential for artistic survival?

How can writers explore diverse genres and bring freshness to their storytelling?

What constitutes a sustainable writing routine, and how can writers establish effective habits?

Part III: Play/Roam

How can writers thrive in a modern literary lifestyle?

In what way does adaptability empower writers to create unique and personalized literary experiences?

What insights can writers gain from research expeditions and embracing the uncharted territory of their own imagination?

What language games and storytelling techniques can writers employ to enhance their craft?

If you want to (finally) embrace the path of being the writer you always wanted to be, A Novel Approach for Writers is for you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Darlene Reilley
• Release date: Jan 23, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224563777

Book preview

A Novel Approach for Writers

Darlene Reilley

© Copyright 2024 Darlene Reilley

Cover Art by Darlene Reilley via Canva

All Rights Reserved.

Part 1: Read/Discover

Chapter 1: Book Dragons, Unite!

Chapter 2: On Reading Like a Book Dragon

Chapter 3: Diversity and Exploration

Chapter 4: Recommended Reading

Chapter 5: Remembering Your Literary Lineage

Chapter 6: The Learning Next List

Chapter 7: On Writing Annotations

Chapter 8: Darlene’s Annotations

Part 2: Author/Write

Chapter 9: Authoring and Writing

Chapter 10: A Train to a Writer’s Journey

Chapter 11: What I Learned on the Way to the Grand Canyon

Chapter 12: The Nuts and Bolts of Writing

Chapter 13: Learning to Suck

Chapter 14: Measure the Manure

Chapter 15: What They Try to Teach You

Chapter 16: What They Don’t Teach You

Chapter 17: The Artist’s Survival Kit

Chapter 18: Setting Writer Milestones

Chapter 19: The Art of Cultivating a Sustainable Writing Routine

Chapter 20: Creating Your Writing Manifesto

Chapter 21: Organizing Your Ideas for Efficient Novel Development

Chapter 22: Brainstorming, Plotting, and World Creation

Chapter 23: Unleashing Your Creative Mojo Meditation

Chapter 24: The Writer Reset

Chapter 25: Portable Writing Retreat: Crafting Your DIY Writing Cave On-The-Go

Chapter 26: The Writer’s Journal: Advice from the Writing Trenches

Chapter 27: Inside a Writer’s Journal

Chapter 28: Literary Anthropology

Chapter 29: Writing Advice from the Trenches

Part 3: Play/Roam

Chapter 30: Playing and Roaming

Chapter 31: Ideas for Low-Cost, Moderate-Cost, and High-Cost Play

Chapter 32: Magical Adventures for Creative Writers

Chapter 33: Creative Writing Business Ideas

Chapter 34: Correspond with Authors and Readers

Conclusion

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Also by Darlene Reilley

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To be a working writer, you need to focus on process, craft, and business. This book helps solve the puzzle of what that process entails and how you can level up as a writer and a literary citizen. This book is intended for beginning writers, intermediate writers, artist writers, or people who just wonder if they have a book in them and think they may want to give this writing thing a go.

You don’t know me yet. Hey, I’m Darlene Reilley. I’m not a world-class writer, or a best-selling writer, not yet at least. What I am is a writer dragon with experience – I started writing when I was 13 years old, wrote my first full-length novel in 2006, published my first book in 2009, and have consistently written and published books, poetry, and workbooks since then.

If the writing life were a ladder, I’d be the writer a few rungs ahead of the beginning writer, and I think writers can benefit from my perspective. I am a working writer, whose process is read, write, and play. This book is laid out in those three parts.

Part One: Read, will show you how to read to level up your writing and why it is essential to read for entertainment and education.

Part Two: Write, shows my writer’s journey, including A Train to a Writer’s Journey and What I Learned on the Way to the Grand Canyon. It also gives practical advice from the writing trenches such as what they taught me in school and what they didn’t teach me in school.

To conclude, Part Three: Play will help writers infuse their writing life with fun, passion, and spark joy.

This is the book on writing I wish I had when I was first starting. I hope it gives you the ability to develop your writer’s dream and helps you avoid the stumbling blocks I tumbled on when I was in your shoes.

I hope that every artist who reads this finishes their work and surpasses my goals.

I wish you a lifetime of discovery, authorship, and roaming.

Best,

Darlene Reilley, DarWrites, December 2023

The war is long,

but you are strong.

Keep dreaming,

keep working,

keep fighting.

It’s hard.

But you can do this.

You are a writer.

-Darlene Reilley

Part 1: Read/Discover

Chapter 1: Book Dragons, Unite!

I was a book dragon before I was a writer. My childhood love of reading turned into a lifelong love affair with books. Only by reading can you figure out what’s already been said so you can add something valuable to the conversation.  

We all want to be good literary citizens and scholars. We want to add to the conversation, and no one wants to read the same book twenty-five times.

Don’t believe me? Stephen King said you need to read too—check out his book On Writing.

I know people who said they write and never read. That scares me because how will you know what staid thoughts are out there or unique ideas are running through you? How will you determine which ideas will be of interest to other people and may help further the cause of humanity?

Without reading deeply, extensively, and passionately, we can’t write bravely, concisely, and effectively. I have been and always will be a confirmed Book Dragon. This section will cover what it means to be a Book Dragon.

I break my reading down based on why I read, and also by category. This section of the book discusses my theory of discovery, why people read, and how writers can get inspired by reading.

Later, I’ve included a list of reading recommendations. My favorite way of categorizing books is by fun, craft, and business. A warning before you proceed—I’m the book dragon who starts at one end of a topic in a library and reads all the books on that topic that resonates. These lists aren’t exhaustive, but books I’ve found helpful on my path. I hope they inspire you to reinvest in your reading habit.

Chapter 2: On Reading Like a Book Dragon

I am not an ordinary bookworm. I do not crawl around contenting myself on bits and pieces of writing. No, I am a book dragon who treasures books like gold!

I am the girl who, when faced with the release of her favorite author’s book, will wait in line for hours at Barnes and Noble and then stay up all night reading it despite what’s going on the next day. Because that’s what I do.

When people start a conversation with what do you think I should read next? I don’t think they’re prepared for my answers.

I am the girl who declares my reading list has been up to 4,586 fabulous books long and am slowly chipping away at the stack. I add some, delete some, and somehow still wind up with thousands on my wait list.

I am the girl who forgets when she has read a book because I only started keeping track of them a few years ago...and sometimes when I get to chapter three, I think, gee, I’ve met this book already. And I read it again anyway.

I treat books like friends. The only rule in my house for dogs is thou shalt not eat books.

Secretly, I love reading uber reading lists – and then comparing my list to other lists.

I have, on occasion, told people I had plans and stayed up reading all night.

I believe there is a connection between reading and everything else – it’s a way to connect with people in an introverted way.

I collect reading lists like most people collect shoes.

I don’t have a single picture of me reading...because it’s something I always do. The closest one I saw was on a cruise ship with a book beside me...and that was before I settled in to read.

I have plans in my mind for a secret reading lair.

While reading, I have drunk water, coffee, tea, and fruity beverages depending on the book, genre, and topic. Example: when reading Jane Austen, I drink tea. When reading Stephen King, it’s a Bloody Stephen. 

I know that there are moments in literature where food comes off the page so well, I can almost smell it – and I sometimes make the food I read about.

I geek out when I see there is a List of fictional beverages online.

I know how to make a Gryffindor cocktail.

I’ve been to the places online where Hobbits make food and Trekkers imbibe recipes from Quark’s Bar.

I have genre-specific reading lists.

I think about joining writing groups but respect my self-imposed reader deadlines – I get serious reading done. And while I may join in for the comradery, I’d rather read on my own. For me, reading is a single-player event. 

I have traced the literary lineages of my heroes.

I keep notes on all the books I’ve read...and there is a specific folder marked Book Dragon’s Lair that no one ever wants to go in...it scares them.

I continuously look for ways to make reading more fun. 

I read Epic Shit, but I’m no book snob. I also read bodice rippers, paranormal romance, science, and things that just make me smile. I know there are people out there who are classics only and others who only want to read genres...but I like to mix it up – one day I’ll be reading Homer, and the next, I’m on to the latest Susan Grant romance or Preston & Child thriller.

I read in PJs.

I read when traveling.

I read when stuck in line pretty much anywhere. 

I was a real books only girl until my sister bought me a Kindle...and I crossed over to the dark side...and now I see that reading is reading no matter how you do it. I don’t care if you want to read on a computer, by paper, or by cuneiform – get it done because reading changes lives! It opens you to new experiences and lets you explore the world and learn new ways of being.

I read prize winners, but I don’t stop there...I read things recommended by friends, librarians, and writers.  

I pay no attention to the New York Times Bestseller List – because it doesn’t show the total love of all literature – although it’s a good place to start. What I read is a mark of distinction – I know what I love and read what I love. I would suggest you do too. 

I have an ancient hardcover dictionary marked with highlights, sticky notes, and paper clips.

I read that dictionary.

I never shame anyone for mispronouncing things because I too find new words through reading and don’t always take the time to go to the dictionary and learn it...sometimes I just search it online and that doesn’t always turn out best... so please, don’t shame others. People read to better themselves. Don’t tarnish other people’s sparkle. Instead, celebrate the fact that they are reading and appreciate them for who they are.

I love that words have multiple meanings and I often define words based on context clues.

I have traced word origins.

I love to predict the