I’ve spent a lot of time on my couch, in front of the TV, with a notebook and pen in hand. Some people call this procrastination; I prefer “productive procrastination” because it’s helped me draft several novels.
Here are some tips that might help you get started with your own novel-in-progress:
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| Takeaways |
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| 1. Embrace the Power of Compelling Characters: Develop multi-dimensional characters with relatable traits and growth arcs that resonate with readers. |
| 2. Craft an Engaging Plot Structure: Build a well-defined plot with a clear beginning, middle, and end, ensuring that conflict and tension drive the narrative forward. |
| 3. Show, Don’t Tell: Create vivid scenes and descriptions that immerse readers in the story, allowing them to experience emotions and events firsthand. |
| 4. Focus on Dialogue Authenticity: Craft natural and meaningful dialogue that reveals character personalities and advances the plot while avoiding unnecessary exposition. |
| 5. Edit and Polish: Revise your draft multiple times, addressing plot inconsistencies, grammar errors, and refining prose to ensure a polished and impactful final product. |
You Cannot Improve Your Characters If You Do Not Know Them Well Enough
This is a simple statement that is often overlooked by writers, especially when creating an ensemble cast of characters. We often focus on the physical appearance and personality traits of our protagonists without giving much thought to the secondary and supporting cast members.
But what happens when you have a group of characters who all want something different? How will they interact with each other? What will their relationships be like?
The only way to answer these questions is by getting to know your characters well enough so that you can predict how they will interact under different circumstances. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned from entertainment history, it’s that everyone loves an unpredictable outcome!
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Improve Dialogue By Thinking Like A Screenwriter
There’s more to writing compelling dialogue than just having your characters deliver a line of prose.
When you think about it, each character should be speaking in his or her voice: their tone and style should match their personality and backstory while being appropriate for the situation they’re in at that moment (and never too formal or casual).
This is why it’s so important to create fully-rounded characters before you start on any other part of your boo without fully developed people leading each scene, their words will ring hollow no matter how well written they are!
Believable Characters Act Out Of Weakness, Not Strength
Look at your main character and ask yourself “what is their weakness?” If you can’t answer this question, then chances are your character lacks one. A little bit of vulnerability makes a person relatable and someone readers will want to root for because we’re all flawed human beings.
By creating characters who aren’t perfect (but still good), you make them more believable than if they were flawless paragons of virtue.
Get Familiar With The Foibles Of Your Characters
As you’re writing, it’s important to remain as true to your characters as possible. Remember that they are real people with their thoughts and emotions.
You might not always be able to predict what they’ll do, but by getting familiar with the foibles of your characters, you can at least keep them grounded in reality.
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What Are Their Strengths And Weaknesses?
The best way to answer this question is through a character sheet that lists all relevant details about a particular person: what his goals are; what he cares about or desires; where he was born; how old he is now; what kind of person she is the list goes on!
If you don’t know these things about each character yet (and chances are good that some won’t be immediately apparent), then focus on deciphering them by asking yourself questions like these: Why does my protagonist want this goal so badly?
Does something bad happen if she doesn’t get it? Is something good happening if she succeeds? How has her past shaped who she has become today?
These sorts of questions help flesh out both sides of any given situation while also revealing more information about yourself as an author and when it comes time for editing later down the road, having answers will make rewriting much easier!
Keep In Mind That Every Chapter Should Not Have A Major Conflict
In each chapter, avoid the following:
A chapter should not be a standalone story. Keep in mind that each chapter is a mini-story that advances the plot of your novel. It’s not meant to stand alone and should never end with a major conflict or climax.
A chapter should not be a summary of the previous chapter. The purpose of every scene is to reveal information about your characters, advance the plot, and raise questions for readers so they’re compelled to turn pages when they get to that point in their reading experience.
A good rule of thumb is if you can summarize what happened in your last scene without missing any details (and without skipping over anything), then you probably have too much telling and not enough showing happening there!
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Place Your Characters In An Impossible Situation And Watch Them Work Their Way Out Of It
This is one of the most important keys to drafting a novel.
Being put in an impossible situation is what makes characters grow, and grows your audience’s emotional investment in the story.
If you’re going to write a book that will bring people together, it’s going to have to be something they can talk about with their friends after they finish reading (or listening).
This means that whatever happens, it needs to be big enough that there’s something memorable about it but not so big that nobody else could relate to either.
Never Underestimate The Power Of Silent Moments
Silence is an underutilized tool in the writer’s arsenal. By adding a moment of silence, you can add tension, surprise, and irony to your work.
To make this technique work for you:
Be careful about what you choose to narrate during these silent moments. A moment of silence might be used as a means for your character to reflect on something important that happened earlier in the story or it could be used as a means for the narrator to create suspense by not revealing details about what happens next until later in the book (or even later in that scene).
If done well, this gives readers enough time to anticipate what they think may happen next, and then when it doesn’t happen at all (or happens differently than expected), they’ll feel pleasantly surprised by how cleverly their expectations were subverted by your choice of narration style!
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Write About Topics You Find Fascinating And Relatable To The Reader
As a writer, your passion is likely the key to your success. If you are writing a book about something that you’ve never encountered or don’t know much about, chances are it won’t be very interesting for the reader.
For readers to connect with your story and characters, they need to see themselves in the story somehow and feel like part of the journey. So write about topics that interest you and make sense for your audience.
The best way to do this is by asking yourself what questions people ask you all the time or what kind of information would be helpful for them if they were going through something similar.
Don’t just write about things because someone else wants them written write because it matters to YOU!
Use Metaphors, Similes, And Personification To Help Readers Imagine Scenery, People, And Objects
Metaphors help readers “see” things that aren’t happening in the story. Consider this example: A metaphor is a comparison that doesn’t use “like” or “as”. It’s when you describe something as something else (without actually using those words).
For example, instead of saying, “The sun rose over the horizon,” you could say, “The sun broke over the horizon.” You’re comparing the rising of the sun to breaking open a door or window since both actions are sudden and unexpected.
Similes are similar to metaphors but they use more description and explain how two things are alike (using words like “like” or “as”).
For example, The moon floated over Manhattan like an angel made from clouds. The simile helps readers imagine what it would look like if an angel were floating over Manhattan!
Personification is giving non-human objects human traits like feelings or emotions to help readers see them as alive in some way. This forces us to consider our world differently by looking at everything around us with new eyes!
Addressing Controversial Topics Can Help You Keep The Reader’s Attention
There are a lot of things you can do to keep your reader’s attention. You can have exciting plot twists, interesting characters, and engaging dialogue. But one thing that will help you stand out from the crowd is addressing controversial topics in your writing.
Don’t shy away from controversy! It might seem risky at first, but it can be a great way to get people interested in what you have to say.
Just don’t go too far and start attacking people or groups of people and don’t use offensive language when talking about those topics (unless it’s part of the story).
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Use Active Voice Instead Of Passive Voice For More Compelling Writing
In the world of fiction, a story’s narrator is the one who tells it the “I” character that narrates the story. But there’s more than one way to tell a story, and sometimes it’s better to let your characters do the talking.
You can write in either an active or passive voice:
In an active sentence: He ate his breakfast every morning. The dog left his owner behind. The ball was kicked into the goal by David Beckham.
In passive sentences: His breakfast was eaten every morning by him. His owner was left behind by the dog. David Beckham kicked a ball into a goal with his foot
Use Rhetorical Devices Sparingly, But Effectively When Writing Fiction Novels
When writing fiction novels, you can use rhetorical devices sparingly and effectively. But what are rhetorical devices? They’re figurative devices that help a reader create an emotional response to the text.
They provide emphasis, rhythm, and cadence of writing. Rhetorical devices also work together with other literary elements to make your story more compelling to read. These include:
- Allegory (using a story as a metaphor for another situation)
- Anaphora (repeating keywords or phrases)
- Alliteration (using repeated consonant sounds)
- Apostrophe (addressing something personified as if it were real)
Writing Is A Skill That Is Learned Over Time With Practice And Perseverance, So Stick With It!
It’s not easy and it takes a lot of time and effort. If you want to become an author, you must learn to write well, but first, you need to learn how to write at.
If your goal is simply to be able to write something decent enough for familial approval or as a hobby, then perhaps this guide isn’t for you but if your goal is to become a writer one day (and I hope it is) then keep reading!
Conclusion
I hope these 45 keys to drafting a novel have been helpful for you. If you find yourself stuck, there are plenty of resources online that can help.
Many writers use their work as a resource when they are trying to improve, so I would start by reading some books by authors whose style appeals to you and then try writing in this way yourself.
Further Reading
If you’re interested in learning more about novel and book writing, consider exploring these resources:
How to Write a Novel: A comprehensive guide on crafting compelling novels, from outlining to polishing your final draft.
Mastering the Art of Writing a Book: Dive into the process of writing a book, covering everything from idea generation to publication.
Expert Tips on Writing a Book: Gain insights from a seasoned author on how to approach the journey of writing a book successfully.
FAQs
What are the key steps in writing a novel?
Crafting a novel involves several key steps, including brainstorming ideas, creating well-rounded characters, developing a plot structure, writing and revising drafts, and finally, editing and proofreading for a polished manuscript.
How do I start writing a book from scratch?
Starting a book from scratch begins with a solid idea. Once you have your concept, outline your story’s structure, develop characters with depth, and allocate dedicated time for consistent writing sessions.
How do I maintain writing motivation throughout the book-writing process?
Maintaining motivation requires setting achievable goals, finding a writing routine that suits you, seeking inspiration from other authors, and reminding yourself of your passion for storytelling.
What’s the significance of outlining before writing a novel?
Outlining is crucial as it helps organize your thoughts, provides a clear direction for your narrative, and minimizes the chances of writer’s block. It’s a roadmap that guides your storytelling journey.
How do I overcome writer’s block while working on a book?
Overcoming writer’s block involves taking breaks to refresh your mind, trying different writing exercises, changing your writing environment, and reminding yourself that first drafts don’t need to be perfect.
How do I ensure my book is ready for publication?
To ensure your book is ready for publication, consider beta readers for feedback, professional editing for grammar and structure, and a visually appealing cover design. Research your publishing options, whether traditional or self-publishing, to make an informed choice.
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.