Can anyone help with this? It's vital that I can show a feasible work plan of how I would spend 12 months working on a novel.
Main question is how detailed would it need to be?
At present, I've listed areas of likely research and hours set aside for rewriting previous days work, actual writing and editing. A very rough guide.
Expected length, type of writing.
Plan approx 100 words so far.
I guess it would take about two months research,6-9months writing and two editing, if I edit as I go.Research to run alongside writing time.
I don't know what else is needed.
Kat

I guess everyone is different, which is precisely why they ask the question.

I know, but if I was writing a business plan or my CV there would be a way to make it look professional. A way of setting it out,or how to do a plan for something that does not exist.
Kat

Meant to say I've no idea how to do a plan for something that does not exist.

hi kat

have a look at the telegraph; a writer called louise doughty is doing a week by week 'write a novel in a year' exercise and thousands of people are following... i think they're up to week 35 or so and each week's exercise is detailed pretty comprehensively on the site... and easy to follow...

sam

Kat, is this for an Arts Council grant? If so, there isn't a standard template, but as long as you set the info out clearly it should be fine. What you say you've included sounds about right, too. Do you need to include 'artistic objectives' or anything like that?

It's for the MCNA Bursury, they want summary 500 words, 2,000 word piece of work, 12 month plan of work and the application form and fee. Thought it was worth a try.
Kat

Sammy, you mention Louise Doughty's novel-writing column in the Telegraph. Which day of the week does it appear?
Thanks, AG

I'm having a go at the MCNA bursary as well, and I agree that the writing plan is a tricky one. All they really say is that they're judging the plan on its practicality. I guess they'll probably respect any way of working as long as it sounds basically feasible and dedicated *I hope!*. Writers have so many different approaches to building a novel, don't they?

i've just had a look at their website...hmmm, very interesting (hope you're not going to regret drawing attention to it, Kat)

This is going to sound like a stupid question, but do you need to be working at the moment to apply for it? There's nothing on the form about giving reasons for why you need the money??

Casey

aliasgrace - saturday, i think, in the arts bit... but just search it on the web and you'll get all back issues/columns as well...

Casey
I might but the chances of getting it must be better than the lottery, do you fancy a flutter yourself? Anyway, it was alresdy signposted on WW that's how I heard about it.Thanks for the advice, I'll go away and think about it.I've attempted a synopsis and posted it.
Kat

My understanding of the terms of the Bursary (which I imagine every amateury writer in the country is going to apply for!) is that whether or not you are working now, you must NOT be working full time during the twelve month period you will be writing the novel. Some part time work seems to be acceptable, although you'd be well advised to stress in your application how the part time work is not going to adversely affect your writing efforts, in fact how it might be beneficial (eg working part-time in a hospital will help you with the NHS-based drama you are writing etc).

<Added>

I meant "amateur" of course. "Amateury" is the horrible result of a typo.

Thanks, Sammy!
AG

Thanks for that griff.

Casey