Step-By-Step Advice For Writing The Next Great American Novel

It’s true, writing a novel is hard work. It’s also true that many people dream of doing it and some even try! But the vast majority of them fail.

If you’re going to be one of the few who succeed, you have to be willing to do what it takes. Here are my best tips for helping you write your own great American novel:

Step by Step Novel Writing Tips & Best Practices – YouTube

Takeaways
1. Begin with a Clear Concept: Define the core theme and message of your novel before diving into the writing process.
2. Develop Engaging Characters: Craft well-rounded characters with unique traits, motivations, and arcs to captivate readers.
3. Build a Structured Plot: Outline the major plot points and key events to create a cohesive and engaging storyline.
4. Cultivate a Strong Setting: Create a vivid and immersive setting that enhances the atmosphere and complements the story.
5. Embrace Revision and Editing: Iteratively revise and edit your work to refine prose, eliminate errors, and improve pacing.
6. Balance Dialogue and Description: Strike a balance between dialogue and descriptive narration to maintain reader engagement.
7. Incorporate Symbolism and Themes: Integrate symbolism and overarching themes that resonate with readers on a deeper level.
8. Study the Genre: Familiarize yourself with the conventions and expectations of your chosen genre to create a satisfying reading experience.
9. Seek Feedback and Iterate: Share your work with trusted beta readers or writing groups to gain valuable insights for improvement.
10. Stay Persistent and Patient: Writing a novel takes time and dedication—persevere through challenges and celebrate small victories.

Table of Contents

Write A Lot, Read A Lot

It’s no secret that reading is an important part of the writing process, but there are a few other things you can do to improve your skills as a writer.

First, read a lot. Reading will help you improve your vocabulary, allow you to absorb and use new phrases and words in your own work, and give you inspiration for new stories or characters that might appear in your work.

Read widely not just in books similar to what you’re writing about! Read everything from classic literature to pulp fiction; read science fiction; read romance novels; read mystery novels; read westerns; read whatever interests and inspires you most about writing.

Secondment: if possible, find someone who writes differently than yourself someone whose style differs from yours, and ask them how they approach certain aspects of their craft (such as dialogue).

This can help inform your style while providing insight into how others write as well!

Navigating the world of novel writing can be challenging, especially for beginners. Our Top 10 Tips for the Aspiring Novel Writer offer valuable insights to help you start your journey with confidence.

Read Great Literature

Read great literature. This is the first step in becoming a writer and it’s a relatively simple one. If you want to write like a classic author, then read them! You cannot possibly become anything without knowing what came before you.

What if I don’t like reading? Or worse yet, what if I already know everything there is to know about the classics? Well, guess what: those are two completely different issues!

First of all, most people who don’t enjoy reading do so because they’ve been exposed to boring books in school that were assigned merely for completion’s sake (i.e., not because they wanted to read them).

Second of all and this might surprise you there’s no such thing as knowing everything about great literature!

There are always discoveries waiting for us when we revisit classic works by familiar authors or writers from other cultures; we may even find ourselves surprised by how much more meaning these stories have than when we last read them years ago.

Think of it this way: when was the last time someone told themselves “Oh yeah… I feel like reading Moby Dick today”?

Instead of just hoping for inspiration to strike at some point down the road, try intentionally exposing yourself now and again to new works by classic authors or writers from other cultures (especially those who helped shape your own).

Use Old-Fashioned Pen And Paper

Writing by computer has become all too common. As a writer, you must resist the temptation to type your novel on a computer.

Once you begin typing on a keyboard, it is hard to stop. The words flow more quickly than they do when written with pen and paper, and you might find yourself writing entire books without stopping for days at a time–that’s how I wrote my first book!

But if you write off of a computer screen and not from paper (like me), then there’s no backing-up or erasing mistakes; the text itself is permanent.

There are also no drawings or pictures that can help spark ideas in your mind during the writing process like when using pen and paper would allow for!

Every writer faces moments of doubt and creative blocks. Learn how to maintain your creative flow and stay motivated by exploring our guide on How to Stay Inspired as a Writer.

Don’t Be Afraid To Write A Lousy First Draft

As with any project, the first draft of your novel is where you have the most freedom to experiment and paint in broad strokes. Don’t be afraid to write a lousy first draft—you can always revise later.

But make sure you let yourself go with it and get all those ideas out of your head and onto paper. You will be surprised at how much clear your vision will become once you have let yourself get messy in one way or another.

After some time has passed (usually around three weeks), take a look at what you wrote during this period and see what needs to change or be added based on what has happened since then, now that some distance has been established between then and now.

This process can also help identify important story elements that may need more fleshing out before they are ready for prime time!

Let Your Characters Develop At Their Own Pace

Don’t rush character development. As you’re writing, you may find that your character takes on a life of her own and begins to dictate the plot. That’s natural, but it means you need to slow down and let her develop at her own pace.

Don’t let your characters take over the story. If a character starts talking about something important or interesting in their past, listen! You don’t have to stop writing just write down what they say while continuing with other actions in the present day.

Writing a novel is a rewarding endeavor, but it’s not without its pitfalls. Discover the humorous side of the writing process and avoid common mistakes by reading about The 13 Hilarious Mistakes Novelists Make.

Remember That You Are Not The Protagonist Of Your Novel

If you want to be a great writer, you need to learn how to develop characters and plot, but also how to let them go.

Your main character will probably not be a perfect match for who you see yourself as in real life. This is okay in fact, it’s good! It means that your character has agency and depth, which makes it easier for readers to relate with him or her (unless they don’t like what that means).

In addition, while readers might find themselves identifying with certain aspects of your main character maybe they share his love of animals or his hatred of bullies they will never be exactly alike (neither are any two people).

Remembering this can help prevent writer’s block when things aren’t going well or inspiration has left town without telling anyone where he parked his car.

Give Each Character A Motivation

Every character in your story should have a clear reason for doing what he or she does. Your reader needs to be able to understand why each character acts the way that he or she does.

Motivation is what makes characters interesting, and it’s also what makes them unique from one another. It helps you create characters who are human: flawed, but still identifiable as real people with real motivations (even if those motivations are sometimes hard-to-understand).

Make Sure Your Protagonist Is Enormously Flawed

You’ll want to make sure your protagonist is enormously flawed. This is a good thing because readers will be able to relate to them.

They should also have a few redeeming qualities that make them more than just another boring person with a boring life and boring problems (although those are important).

Your character should have an interesting personality, but not so interesting that they become unlikeable or unrecognizable as someone who could exist in real life.

For example, An introvert who never goes out of the house may seem like an unlikely protagonist for a novel about love and loss.

But if he has some other hidden strengths he might surprise you by being good at baking cakes or playing chess then suddenly you can imagine this guy being friends with other people in real life!

Completing your novel is just the first step—getting it published is a whole different journey. Find guidance on preparing your manuscript and navigating the publishing world in our article: How to Write a Novel & Get It Published.

Leave Room For Symbolism And Allegory In Your Work, But Don’t Spell It Out For The Reader

Symbolism is powerful. It can be used to tell a story, make a point, or make a statement. But it’s not always effective to spell it out for the reader.

For example, when you’re writing about two people who are in love but cannot be together because of social convention (a common theme in American literature), don’t just say that they feel “unattainable” and “separated by status.” Instead, let their actions speak for themselves:

A young woman might steal glances at him from across the room while he dances with another woman; she might write letters about how much she misses him;

Or she might try to get his attention by wearing her prettiest dress and fanning herself with her handkerchief all subtle ways of showing that she cares for him more than anyone else does.

The most powerful symbols don’t need any explanation at all they’re simply there in your story as part of what makes your characters human beings like us.

A Story Must Present Itself Naturally

Writing a great story means writing a story that is truthful and real. That’s why it’s important to let your story come naturally, rather than trying to force it into being.

If you’re trying too hard to make something sound good, or if you feel that you’re explaining too much, then it might be time to reconsider your approach.

You should also avoid under-explaining things as well; this can sometimes happen when writers worry about getting too deep into detail for fear of losing their audience.

The best advice here is to keep things simple and trust the reader will understand what needs to be understood without having everything laid out before them in plain language!

Use Metaphors And Similes Judiciously

Metaphors and similes are very useful tools in prose. They add depth, color, and interest to your writing. However, you should use them judiciously: if a metaphor or simile is too obvious it will distract the reader rather than add anything of value to the story.

A metaphor is a figure of speech in which one thing (usually abstract) is compared directly to another thing that it’s not similar to.

For example: “His voice sounded like nails on a chalkboard.” Here, the author gives us an image of what his voice sounds like; he doesn’t just say “his voice was high pitched.”

A simile compares two things using words like “like,” “as,” etc., but does not use any form of “to be” (such as am/is/are). The most common form is “X is Y.” For example: “My eyes are blue as cornflowers.”

Do Not Use More Dialogue Than Is Necessary To Tell The Story

Dialogue is one of the most important parts of a story because it’s what helps you get to know your characters and also gives them some personality.

It’s great if you can write dialogue that feels natural and sounds like something real people would say in real life, but don’t let yourself get too caught up in that if it doesn’t feel right.

If a character’s personality doesn’t come through in their lines or any other part of their dialogue isn’t consistent with the rest of their personality or background, just go ahead and change things so they do come through. You don’t want your characters to sound robotic or fake!

Learn The Rules Of Punctuation, Grammar, And Syntax Before You Break Them Intentionally

I know what you’re thinking: How can I break the rules of writing if I don’t even know them? It’s a fair question, and one that has a simple solution: Learning the rules before you break them.

The first step to writing great literature is to understand how language works and this means knowing how to use proper grammar and syntax in your sentences.

Don’t be afraid to break the rules to achieve what you’re trying to do with your writing; however, don’t do it for no reason at all either! You should always have some purpose behind why you decide certain words should be capitalized or italicized (or whatever).

Breaking these guidelines can be fun and interesting, but it should never feel like just another meaningless gimmick that gets thrown around by amateur writers who haven’t yet learned how important this stuff is.

If done correctly, breaking these rules can help enhance your work instead of turning off readers who are looking for something more serious than some writer’s attempt at being “edgy.”

Embarking on the path of writing a novel requires preparation and strategy. Explore our 17 Tips for Anyone Wanting to Write a Novel to ensure you’re equipped with the tools and knowledge you need for a successful writing journey.

Avoid Cliches Like The Plague

Your writing should be as fresh and original as possible, so avoid cliches like the plague.

Cliches are words or phrases that have become so overused in our language that they have lost their meaning. They are typically used by people who don’t fully understand their meaning (or lack thereof) or just want to sound more intelligent than they are.

Cliches are bad because they make your writing less meaningful and engaging for your reader, which will ultimately make it harder for them to connect with what you’re saying on an emotional level.

Conclusion

We hope this post was helpful, and that you feel prepared to embark on your next great American novel! The best way to know if your book will be the next great American novel is to write it.

Remember that there are no rules for writing a novel, so don’t let yourself get stuck in any particular genre or style. And remember: even if you never get published, you’ll always have yourself as an audience.

FAQs

How can I improve my novel writing skills?

Enhancing your novel writing skills involves consistent practice, studying various writing techniques, and seeking feedback from peers or mentors. Explore resources like writing workshops, online courses, and instructional books to refine your craft.

What’s the significance of the Great American Novel?

The term “Great American Novel” refers to a fictional work that captures the essence of American culture, society, and values. It often addresses universal themes while reflecting the specific time and place in which it is set.

How can I overcome writer’s block during novel writing?

Writer’s block can be frustrating, but techniques like freewriting, changing your writing environment, and outlining your story can help overcome creative roadblocks. Remember that taking breaks and engaging in other creative activities can also recharge your creativity.

Is self-publishing a viable option for my novel?

Yes, self-publishing has become a popular route for many authors to get their work out into the world. Platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) offer opportunities to independently publish and distribute your novel to a global audience.

How do I find inspiration for my novel’s plot and characters?

Inspiration can come from various sources—real-life experiences, historical events, personal passions, or even prompts from everyday life. Observing people, reading widely, and exploring different genres can spark ideas for both plotlines and well-rounded characters.

Costantine Edward

Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.