I am assuming that you have some characters in your head already.

OK.  So here is the first step. 

Very simple:

Decide what you want to write about.

In one single sentence (about 15-20 words) explain what your story is about.

Example:

A young philosopher goes on a journey to find the meaning of life, only to discover that the answer is within.

Go ahead.  Try it, it's not as easy as it seems.

Step two:

expand your sentence into one paragraph:

Write three sentences about the major disasters in your story and how they are resolved.

Another two about your climax and your ending.

Before we go onto the next step you must work on your characters.

You need to come up with a background for every major character in your story so they are believable...  More info on creating believable characters is coming next!  So start thinking and taking notes now...

Join me today!

Hi Everyone,

For the last few years I've had a story taking shape solely in my mind and finally last week I buckled up for the ride. Then I quickly realized that there is a lot more organizing to writing a novel, than writing a short story.

I did some research on how to prepare before I can actually write any prose.  I put together my instructions and started building the wireframe of my novel.

I'm sure I am not the only person trying to do this right now.  It takes a lot of thinking, organizing and sifting through millions of ideas that pop into my mind every moment of the day.  I wanted to share my journey and adventure with fellow writers and readers alike.

Heck, if you want to  write along and use the useful information I gather, all the power to you. If you want to support my effort or teach me stuff I have not yet had to learn, even better.  

Let's all make a difference, become immortal and most important of all, tell our stories and make our characters come to life...  After all these characters are not just figments of our imagination, but real people that we have created based on our own experiences in life, as well as people we have met.  They have a right to live on the pages of a clever story that people will enjoy reading or in a movie masses will watch...