Derek Isakson - Anthropologist Profession - Professor of Anthropology at Oxford University Birth - 1990, New Jersey, USA Hobbies - dancing, research, stalking around museums, reading in coffee shops and eavesdropping on things he hears there, eating sweets - especially chocolate pastries Likes: cannoli's, hot cocoa, window shopping, loud music, parties, academia Dislikes: Criticism, people chewing with their mouth open, knuckle cracking, and pretty much all other loud body f

Maya Abbot - Witch Profession - Professor of French Studies at Oxford (New College) + magic candle maker Birth - 1992, Brighton, UK Hobbies - Running, candle making, reading, singing, watching spooky reality tv shows about ghosts, girls nights Likes: tea, cleanliness, nature, academia, hard apple cider Dislikes: Messiness, cigarrettes, cynics Aspirations: to run a 10k, master her Craft, be solid enough in her tenure that no one would dare question how long her lunch break is

James Kempe - Resident Ghost Profession - scholar at Oxford University Birth - 1864, London Death - 1886, Oxford Hobbies - gazing out the garden window and reminiscing. Birdwatching. Eaves dropping on Maya's conversations. Likes: Tea, Bach music, romance novels Dislikes: Tardiness, witchcraft, Eminem Aspirations: to one day find love in spite of the odds

Writing a novel can be a daunting task. Where to start? What are the most important pieces to include? Some people prefer to outline while others stick to improvising. My process is a bit of both. Here's how it goes.