Novel Writing Help: X Marks the Spot: Using Place Holders Saves Time: NaNoWriMo Day 21

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I’m well into writing my second novel, They All Died Smiling, and I use a technique I thought might be useful for you.

Did you ever decide you need to add something to a scene, but you’re not ready right now?

Maybe you need to describe the setting or add actions to a chunk of dialogue,, but now isn’t the time or you’re not sure what to do yet.

Novel writing skills: keeping it simple

Writing a novel is a big deal with lots of people, situations, plots and subplots to track. SO keep things simple.

Remember, you don’t have to write in a linear fashion. You won’t always know every single thing that needs to be in each chapter before or even while you’re writing it. Sometimes you’ll need to fiddle.

The solution is simple: Put a placeholder into your manuscript so you know where to go.

X Marks the Spot: Using Placeholders

I had completed several chapters before I knew exactly what needed to be in that place in Chapter One, and I wasn’t ready to write it yet. So I used a placeholder.

I do this often in my work, and perhaps you’ll find this tip helpful. It works in nonfiction or fiction.

I use XXXX, but it could be any repeated letter that isn’t a word. That way, when you’re ready to delve into whatever I’ve decided to do later, you simply search for XXXX (Find Command) and I’m there.

If you want to get fancy or are afraid you won’t remember what you wanted to do, consider something like this:

XXXX-describe castle.

Then simply delete it when you come back to fix it.

I hope this saves you some time.

National Novel Writing Month Progress Report

I’m on trackto finish the 200 pages by the end of the month, in the high 30,000s as of now. THe weekend will be less words.

Stick to your writing goals.

Follow your BLISS,

Ronda Del Boccio

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