Mel Ryle's Blog

This outline is based on William Victor, S.L., Novel Outline Summary.

Here is an easy list of questions or guidelines I’ve used from the point I’ve written my story titled, Thorns of Angels. Though there is a time I’ve neglected this outline for a more simpler structure, like a basic summary of the whole novel – yes, I do write the whole main plot story in a three-page summary sometimes – but I always come back to this because of how direct and clean it is.

So, for those who are planning to write a novel in the future, I hope this pointer and guideline would help you.

A. Who will be your main character?

This is an easy enough question to answer.  A story can’t be without its hero or heroine. They are the cherry on top of the sundae. But never neglect to add details. Get to know your character first. That way you’ll likely understand how he/she would respond in the story you’re writing.

It’s a lot like profiling.

When I’m in the process of writing a book, I’m more focused on planning it than writing the novel itself. 

It’s difficult to write the chapters as days, weeks, and months passed. The hype dies out and you have to reintroduce yourself back to the emotional and mental state you were in when you felt like writing the story. I don’t know how other writers do it, or their mindset when they’re writing a novel throughout the year. But I’m sure there are days they’ll lose interest to even write a word. This is called ‘writer’s block’. This is an unavoidable state for writers.

And I admit, I’m one of those people. 

We’re only human. Situations and experience around us changes, and sometimes affect our perception and emotional state, which render us immobile to proceed in writing our current works. For writers in the same boat as I am, who are in an online writing community which we have weekly updates and promised deadlines to post chapters, it’s ten times more difficult to uphold this emotional and mental focus on wanting to write and finish the book. But of course, there is a will for writers or creators to finish what they’ve started, it just takes time to get there.

In my writing experience, whenever I have a new book to write, I’m so engrossed in writing the novel because it’s fresh in my mind. So, at first, I plan out the plots and a few scenes ahead of time – a habit I’ve recently done. 

However, as days and weeks pass on, and I have a day job, that feeling gets dwindled and dimmed by work pressure and sometimes healthy issues – which was my case recently. The emotional state I’m in doesn’t give me enough boost for the mental capacity to keep the same tone and voice of the story I’m writing. 

I don’t want to make a rom-com novel turn dark just because I was in a bad mental state in my personal life. And even if writers at times say their work isn’t personal, it is part of themselves they are putting into words. It’s a form of expression. The readers would notice something would be off, maybe not at first, but a certain word change, or description of the character’s choice of words, it’ll give off a vibe.

To be professional – and not ruin the kind of story I want to tell, I’ve learned to distance myself from writing when I’m incapable of being in the mindset of how I wanted the story to feel. This sort of situation happens to me every story that I write. And it became a personal challenge. 

So I want to open up and share with you something I don’t share as much as I do.

Earlier in 2018, I was diagnosed with Bipolar 2. For years, I had trouble handling mental and emotional collapse. I didn’t even know I had Bipolar and thought it was just mood swings (extreme mood swings). I won’t get into detail about it here yet but would talk about in my future posts. 

Fast forward to today, I’ve sought help and treatment. Both personally and professionally, it helped make me a better person and storyteller. These days I’m still trying to find common ground and getting used to not having a weird emotional outburst, which kept me from finishing the story I’m writing.

After seeking help, I’m in a better mindset in writing upbeat and fun stories. And I’m comfortable writing more serious and mentally exhausting scenes as well. When I decided to make writing as part of my life, I hadn’t thought of it to be like ‘a job’. 

With the responsibilities attached to it now, it is a job for me. I’ve no regrets, and very happy I get to put in my job description that I’m a published author. Because it is work. And more people should see how much work it is to write something out of nothing. 

Here are my current list of novels in the works this year. These stories – series are available in Wattpad and Radish Fiction.

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Genre: General Fiction, Romance, Comedy

Rated: R-13

Series: #1 Girl in Suits

Kyla almost had it all. Except for her love life. It was nearly three month after she and her heartless ex were no longer in a relationship status. Her friends though it was time to move on and start fresh, yet she didn’t think so. So they decided it was time to do the post break-up tradition. A one night stand with a stranger. At first she thought she wouldn’t go through with it, but then she saw her ex-boyfriend with his new girlfriend – who turned out to be her old enemy in high school – she did a shot and burnt the remains of her dignity. But little did she know the man in question wasn’t just an ordinary stranger.

After that night, thing had gotten her in many sticky situation. Ultimately, it led to an even more problematic matter. Now she had a dark secret with one of the most eligible bachelor in town, who happened to be her new boss.

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Genre: Werewolf, Thriller, Action, Romance

Rated: R-13

Series: #1 The Custodian Series

Rhoane – Roe – Knightley is the last line from one of the ruling family of the Custodian, a human hybrid who protects the balance of the mystical and realistic world. At age nine, she witnesses her family being slaughtered by rouge Lycan, a man-wolf shifter, who the Custodians protect and hide from humans.

For nine years, Roe was raised by one of the strongest family of the Custodian Order, the Hunter. When her eighteen birthday approaches, her chances of finding out about the truth of her family’s death became slim. Once she turns eighteen, she takes her place as her family’s last remaining representative as part of the Order. With that, she won’t be able to move stealthily and searched for the killer who murdered her family.

With the help of her childhood friend and heir to the Hunter family, Kaleb Hunter, Roe finally got the approval she wanted. She thought it is an easy job to go back and find the killer. However, upon returning home, she’s surprised to see the place crawling and taken over by one of the strongest Lycan Clan in the country, the Blackwell.

Now Roe is in a bind on how she’ll snoop around a Lycan territory. But most of all, she was surprised to find the connection with the place, a certain Lycan, and the truth of who killed her family.

Follow Roe Knightley’s journey in discovery about family, love, betrayal, and revenge.

Here’s a list of my completed novels available in Wattpad and Radish Fiction.

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Genre: General Fiction, Romance, Drama

Rated: PG

With a scandalous divorce battle, multi-millionaire Kyle Elliot decided to move out of the limelight. He decided to get away towards a different environment with a fake identity. Thanks to his best friend and secretary, Luke Bailey, everything was set. Kyle thought his exile would be nothing but boredom and a lot of reflection about his past. He never expected to find something that may ultimately change his life.

To Lenna Michel, Kyle was another new face in town until she knew whom he pretended to be related. In town where everyone knew anyone, it was difficult to find the right person to confide with her problem. She struggled to get out of a five-year relationship. Yet she couldn’t leave him without loosing someone precious.

Both at the peak of their worst, fate took a stand and gives them a chance to fight back. But they didn’t expect to find love with it.

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Genre: General Fiction, Thriller, Drama

Rated: PG-16

When you are young, innocence was a blessing and a curse. At nine years old, Claire found that her perfect family and life was only an act. For one, they aren’t like a normal family. Now twenty-three, she understood the darkness of her past. But it wasn’t only her past that slowly lurks in her nightmares. She never expected how her past had become her present. Running was her only option. To get her life back, she had to face all of her demons. Both past and the present.

It’s been nearly five years since I’ve joined the writing community, Wattpad. I had my shares of ups and down, and ultimately in the span within those years I had published two books. I’ve never expected to get this far as a writer, let alone become a published author. I had a lack of faith in my own skills. However, those who have read my stories hadn’t think less of it.

My readers are important to me. And my respect towards them are very growing. Without them, I wouldn’t be who I am now as a writer.

Here are the 18 vivid posts I had piled up over the years on my private social media page. I don’t share these though for fear of backlash and misconception the kind of person to my readers. But now I’ve grown more confident in my myself. I think it’s time to let the world know a bit of what goes through my head while writing.

*****

#18

When I write don’t think of the mistakes, I look at how I was able to express my imagination into words.

#17

I’m not really worth that much, but I’m constantly reminded that I can be more than how I perceive myself. I can’t help but smile at the thought. Thank you for telling me how I can inspire, and what I’m doing has some worth.

To all my lovely readers, thank you.

#16

I never expected that I will come to a point in my life that my words and opinion can uplift other people’s spirit and make them motivated to do and continue what they love, which is writing stories.

#15

Separating the different side of your self is like playing different roles from one movie. I’m no Eddie Murphy, but I try.

#14

“So he doesn’t know you exist,

So he lives a whole life different from yours,

So he is in a whole different social status,

So what if the world thinks you isn’t a match.

Nothing would happen if you just sit there and think about all the things that make you incompatible.” – Thoughts that should push female character to act on their feelings.

#13

Why aren’t my character’s affectionate? And noted that every chapter, why they aren’t kissing?

Romantic relationship isn’t just about the intimacy and much on getting to know a person and understanding each other. Romantic love is a bond, much like friendship and family. You don’t need to kiss someone every moment of everyday to show your love. Love can be shown in so many ways rather than through intimacy.

#12

I feel like my characters are lacking something. Having emotionally invested readers, I should do some justice with the story. They deserve that moment, and really, because I’m not a fan, I’ve put this off for this long. Bring on the love, kisses, and cuddles! I’m going to gag and cringe while writing.

#11

Reading about grounds on filing divorce and termination of parental rights. Those are the main materials for my new story. Guess it won’t be an ordinary romance novel to start the year.

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#10

Questioning my line of reasoning towards how a fictional character reacts in a hypothetical situation. And I though I wasn’t crazy enough…

#9

“I love romance. I love humor. And I love those two in a mix. But I do not like myself for it. And it will always feel lacking, because the love I put was borrowed and never my own. I think it’s time to find the right story, which I can be proud of. Maybe it’s time to tell myself I am ready to write THE story.” – This was what I was thinking to myself over a year ago. And now I am writing THAT story.

#8

After writing at least six novels, a few shorts, I though it will get better but it doesn’t. And here I am again. Staring at the computer screen, after prepping and writing the plot lines ahead of time, asking myself ‘What Now?’

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#7

Between writing my current book, prepping for the next one, and researching for next year’s stories, I still find time to sleep more than 8 hours a day. How I get things done this way? I don’t know. Hahahaha! (Unless I start a book or binge watch a series – no time for sleep)

#6

I have this thought about why my readers don’t message me frequently. Maybe they are like me. They are scared to be a bother towards others who you think are busy trying to do work and accomplish things. But really – I’m not busy. I do have time. And I’m happy to answer questions, give advice, and even give feedback on your wonderful works.

I can’t see myself as anything more but what I am. I’m me. Please don’t be shy readers. hahahahaa!!!!

#5

The thing about writing Romance based novels is that at some point people would ask you about romance. They might think I’m some starry-eyed girl, waiting for prince charming in a white horse. But that isn’t me. I wait for no man. And I prefer cuddling with my watermelon pillow collection. (This just got real!)

#4

The more I write about romance-based story. The more I distance myself from such trivial matters of the heart. Its too messy, complicated, and time consuming. I have enough imagining fictional characters going through it.

#3 (Thorns of Angels)

Even after writing online for almost five years now, I had never experience this accomplishment of getting recognition from writing platforms online.

Sure, I had my share by winning a contest in wattpad and got even more recognized, but a feature is something else. The story was handpicked by the Team to be one of the story of the week! And what made me so happy about this, is because this story itself took me two years to gather the wits and courage to write. This wasn’t for basic entertainment. I wrote this book to mean something, to be my first masterpiece that had depth and soul. Not that my other books weren’t also a masterpiece of their own.

But you’ll always have that one favorite from the list. There were so many challenges and struggles going through this road. And the reward is very fulfilling.

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#2

It’s difficult to portray such openness about once sexuality when you yourself don’t even address nor participate on such trivial acts and matters of the heart. But all awkwardness aside, I’m truly having fun swimming in these uncharted waters. I’ve never thought I could have such thoughts that never ever crossed my mind unless I forced myself to think of these situations.

The fun thing about writing is you’re discovering a different side of yourself you never thought you had.

#1

When I was in elementary, I’ve viewed myself as inferior in many aspects in life, especially when it came to intelligence. As a human being, I never saw my importance back then. A few years after, I found a way to keep my darkness at bay. I struggled through it by myself, understanding that no one would be there to go through it with me.

There was a time depression hit hard. I hurt myself in a psychological way, since physical pain leaves marks. I didn’t understand that whatever you do, there would always be a mark left when you are hurting. Visible or not, it is there. I tried to find myself. I never doubt my belief for my God, but that doesn’t mean I cannot doubt. It is always there through life.

As a saying goes, you won’t feel the happiness of life if you have not experience its tragedy. And then, recently, I started writing. They weren’t stories just realizations about life. After I slowly found a fondness and love for words, I wanted to share these realizations in a form that people would connect. Thus, I started writing stories.

Why romance? Because, in love, all aspect of life can be portrayed.

I never though writing would be something that would pull me out of the darkness and find a sense of importance as a person.

I write because I want to inspire and tell them what life had taught me.

*****

I hope upon reading this I’ve not destroyed any of your perception of the kind of person and writer I am. I’m still the same timid person, who writes romance novels.

Much love ~ Mel.

When I validate the complete draft of my manuscript, see that pop on my screen after gave me a rush of fulfilment of what I had done. Sure the gruesome weeks, days, as this writing dragged on was mentally excruciating – just being dramatic, but the end result, the rush of knowing you’ve done something in life beats all of those thoughts of negativity out of your head. The night you thought you wanted to give up now gone and replaced with a feeling of triumph and a rush of excitement.

Yes world! I’ve done it. I wrote a 50 ooo word novel in under a month.

Even though it’s only a draft and less appealing now, just know you’ve crossed a threshold of achieving something most people couldn’t have done. Don’t condone yourself and think about perfection now. Nothing can be accomplish without taking that one step. This here is our first step to perfection.

This month gave me a lot on insight on my capability and limitation as a writer. It made me understand myself more and what kind of tone of stories I wanted to share to the world.

So I can’t thank enough for this non profit organisation for coming up with this writing challenge.

Maybe next year I would be even more prepared and more experience on how best to tackle this event.

For my fellow writers who are joining this event, and have finished the goal, congratulation as well.

I would love to hear about your experience and insight about Nanowrimo 2016.

Write on!

Creating a fictional world, whether its based on reality or fantasy, can seem intimidating. But such emotional and mental challenge won’t last. Be confident on the world you are writing, and understand no one can judge you on what the world you are writing. That is one of the perks and beauty of being a creative fictional writer. No one can question on whether something is right or not. This is your imagination. This is your world.

But being consistent and vivid in your writing without seeing it is truly a challenged. However, there are ways for you to keep track of the world you’ve created.  My process in prepping for making these worlds are easy as three steps.

Firstly, write in down in detail. Second, make a mood board which co-relate the world you are creating. This will help you visual what a certain place may look.Lastly, a sketch, no matter how simple or messy it is, can help you visual where everything are – streets, countries, interior setting of your character’s home, it helps.

Write everything in detail.

This will help you know how a certain place would feel, smell, or hear for your character. Like a bustling, crowded market, which reeked of fish and meat. Or in a city, where car honked nonstop in the early morning rush hour. It’e good to write it down and get a feel of the place your character would be experience. It will help you get an idea of their surrounding and how these characters would react – it makes it more vivid.

Mood Board

As a fine arts student, I learned how mood board helped you in any aspects to create art works. But this would also apply in writing – especially when you’re creating a whole new world, which isn’t based on our world. Plus, this exercise is fun. Collecting images and placing them side by side would give you an idea how the world you’re creating would look like.

For me, even though I don’t write fantasy based novels, and focused more on realistic places, I collect all images of the town, or images of certain shops which I imagine my characters would visit. It help me visual how they’ll response and move around the area.

Sketch

I know all of us aren’t artist, but I do believe we are all creative beings. If words would ceased to help you, it best to draw it – based on my experience. It will help you conceptualise and give you a clear vision of the world you’re creating.

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I hope this tip will help you in your writing with Nanowrimo, or your future writings. But this are just my writing tips on how I usually write my novels. As an artist and writer, I like putting those two side by side. As I said, that’s just me.

But remember to give yourself a time to step back on writing. Take a break and get back fresh and filled with new ideas! Write on!

Writers have their own different writing process. But mainly, the process goes as these: prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing. In this month’s National Novel Month, everything is condensed. It’s unlikely you’ll reach the third and forth step of the process, which are revising and editing. There will be a time for that. So for now, let’s focus on the two process that are relevant for this short time.

Prewriting

Prewriting involved jotting down the ideas, scenarios, and even conversations your characters might have in the story.

For me, this stage in the writing process doesn’t have a time limit, even while I’m already writing drafts and chapters. Prewriting is like getting a feel of your character’s situation, and thinking of scenario through the story. What if, while writing the draft, you’ve thought a better way for your character to react or a better challenge for them to face.

Never limit yourself on one thing. Write down all possible outcomes and scene you think would be applicable to the story. You might find that when you’ve already written the whole story, you’ll see a different point of view in the ending.

Drafting

Drafting is where the fun part of writing mostly happens. This is were you grab a pen and paper, and to other peoples cases they use a computer or laptop – all based on preferences.

Through drafting, you’ll start to understand the character and story you’re creating. But it can be challenging as well. You’ll be visualisation and turning those images in to words. Not an easy task when you have a writers block, which happens when you’re just lost for words and couldn’t visualise any scenes.

During drafting, you can be by yourself knee deep in a world away from your own. I always love this stage in writing from the four. Because anything you write is alive, and many possibilities would come into view. Your mind would also widen in creating these scenarios for your characters. It is when creativity breaks free.

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While writing my novel for National Writing Month, everyday is prewriting and drafting for me. But I focus more on the draft – building the story as I go. But when you write almost everyday, moving the story forwards, you’d sometime forget where you are in the plot. So it is better to think ahead, visualise, before writing everything into a condense chapter.

Always remember to take a break and step back on your work. When you’re in a pinch, it’s best to read a book, watch a movie, listen to music, and be inspired with the world around you. Because we aren’t a machine. Creativity is reflected by life around you.

Write on fellow writers!

Just a refresher about the Novel I’m writing, which is titled A Year Without You. It’s a story about two couple breaking up and understanding and rediscovering their love. The story seem like your cliché romance story. But I’ve recreated a new way of retelling the scenario. Before that, I need the basics first.

Now that I’ve already written the plot and summary of my story, I need to write down 3 main things to make this novel work. If not, I pray by the end of this month the novel I’m writing still makes sense.

Plot lines

Every writer knows plot lines is the bone, muscle and veins of a story. If the plot is brittle, or lump, or lacks blood that flows and connect one chapter to another, then the story is poorly written or have no soul at all. Plot lines is basically the guidelines that helps you from point a to be. Without it, I’m sure you’ll start getting confused halfway through writing the novel why you’re character suddenly started a journey to wonderland, it’s set in modern day, and is categorised as horror. So yes, you have to plot those chapters ahead before writing them.

Setting and Timeline

I’m putting this two together because they are like bread and butter, and cupcakes and tea (because to me I always paired them). These two can’t go without the other. Setting help you know the where the story is located, while Timeline would show the span of your story. You can’t write a book of endless time, or located in an entire country. You have to narrow it down. Or else you’ll be making the biography of the world and a book that never ends. Sure you’ll like that from a known author, but even us human have our limit in life.

Characters

Ah, yes, let’s not forget the pawns of the story. There won’t be any story without the character. Try imagining a book with only description of the wind, the smell of food, the sound of crickets in the background – which what the book will be without your hero and heroine. They are the main attraction of your novel. Without them, you have a lifeless novel.

So these three are my main necessity in making writing a novel in a month work. Sure there should be more in that list, but if you like hassle-free and focus on developing characters are you go along, these three will be enough to make your novel stand.

To my fellow writers there, good luck and happy writing!

P.S. This is just my opinion and my basic writing process. Please don’t judge me too much. We are different in our own way. I’m no Stephen King or J.K. Rowling. And those who are gods on their own right in this generation.

After much deliberation, I finally decided to go with it!

As a person who like things prepared before doing anything, this is totally out of character and whimsical for me.

I will be writing journal weekly entries about my experience doing this project. I will be pointing out tips, reflections, and writing first hand experience on writing a full length novel in under a month.

The story is available in Wattpad titled, A Year Without You!

Updates are daily!

Happy reading!

P.S. Who’s joining this event as well?