Welcome to my beginner’s guide to novel writing! In this article, we will delve into the art of storytelling, exploring the fundamentals and essential tips for aspiring writers. Additionally, this article will provide you with the tools and insights you need to create compelling narratives and embark on your writing journey with confidence. Whether you’re dreaming up your first novel or seeking to refine your skills, this guide will help you unlock your creative potential.
Understanding the Art of Novel Writing
Firstly, Novel writing is a unique and rewarding craft that combines storytelling, creativity, and discipline. As a novelist, your goal is to engage readers with rich narratives, well-developed characters, and immersive settings that bring your story to life. You use your powerful mind as well as tips from other writers to show how a character and/or cast of characters change. Sometimes you even tell the story of how these characters change the world around them.
There are three main areas you need to focus on when starting a novel of any kind. There is the plot which is the skeleton of your story. This encompasses what happens in your story, the order of events, and the theme or why it’s happening. Then there are characters. You are responsible for essentially creating realistic people and relationships, then changing them through internal and external conflicts. The third major part is the setting or world around them. Where is this happening? What is the culture? What are the people like? When is this happening? It’s all up to you to decide.
Why Start Novel Writing?
First of all, you should write a novel because it’s something you’re passionate about it. If you don’t love it, it will just become work for you. You also won’t be willing to make the sacrifices required to improve your skills, let alone finish a book. Beyond that, a good book is written with an intense love for story. If you’re in it for notoriety or money, you will most likely be very disappointed. According to The Editorial Department It’s very hard to get your first novel published traditionally. Even if you Self publish, It’s best not to assume you will become a bestseller from your very first novel.
That said, if you love the art of writing and storytelling, you could find success whether you go the traditional publishing route or not. If success is financial to you, that could happen. However, if success means finishing your book, you will definitely find it. If you love introspection and don’t mind spending time alone, you’re going to make it through the hard parts of novel writing. You will challenge yourself, learn about yourself and your values, and boost your self esteem through this creative endeavor.
Key Elements of Novel Writing
Mastering novel writing requires understanding essential elements such as plot, character development, setting, point of view, themes, and conflict. By effectively integrating these components, you can craft a captivating and cohesive narrative. Now, let’s do a quick crash course on all of the basics:
Plot
This is the skeleton of your story. Without it, your narrative will meander around aimlessly. Whether plotting or pantsing, you need to understand Plot. For example, The Hero’s Journey is a tried and tested plotting method. Keep your eye out for my plotting master list (coming soon) but in the meantime, YouTube is a great resource for finding various other plotting methods.
Character Development
Click here to find my 10 Tips for creating characters readers will love. Over the course of your plot, your character(s) will change. It’s your responsibility to create a realistic character that would change in the ways you want. Additionally, you want to create realistic side characters and antagonists that your readers will connect to.
Setting
The where and when of it all. For example, If you’re writing a contemporary novel, it’s a real place in modern times. On the other hand, if you’re writing a fantasy, it’s up to you to build a vibrant and yet realistic world that allows the reader to suspend their disbelief. Depending on genre, you might have to do more or less work to nail down your setting. Regardless of genre, you need to effectively establish your characters’ setting.
Point of View
Well, That’s just your main character, right? Yes… and that requires you to know who they are. At this time, get to know them completely, from their socioeconomic background to their backstory. This information is vital to the point of view you are writing from. On the other hand, you might have a cast of main characters and/or points of view, like in The Wheel of Time series. The point of view you choose for your novel can significantly impact how readers experience your story, so choose with care.
Theme
This is what you want to say with your story. Abbie Emmons likes to refer to this as ‘the truth you want to scream from the rooftop’ and this is illustrated through how your main character changes. Importantly, theme establishes what the reader will take away from your story, as well as why they care.
Conflict
This is what changes your character and helps them learn and grow. Conflict is what your plot is built on. Anything as small as an argument or misunderstanding could be a conflict your character faces. In contrast, your conflict might include a full on world shattering war or the death of a side character. Let your mind run wild. However, I would urge you not to end things the same way Veronica Roth did with the (tragic) Divergent Trilogy.
Crafting an Engaging Plot
A well-structured plot is essential for keeping readers engaged. Learn how to create a compelling storyline by employing elements such as rising action, conflict, climax, and resolution. I like to think of It in terms of breathing. Your story will need moments of tension, like breathing in, and moments of release, like breathing out. It needs to flow together like breathing. You can also think about it this way: you need to have moment where your reader holds their breath, waiting for the tension to be released. There also should be moments where your reader takes a steadying deep breath because your character somehow came out of a situation unscathed… or at least mostly in tact.
Creating Immersive Settings
The setting of your novel can be as crucial as your characters and plot. In many cases, setting can be like a character of its own. One way to learn how to craft rich and believable worlds is by thinking about setting as if it were a character. Furthermore, Think about your setting’s mood or personality, its backstory, and how it interacts with the characters in your story. For example, in A Court of Silver Flame, the house of wind is literally a character in the story.
Tips for Aspiring Novelists
Successful novelists share common practices that help them improve their craft and create compelling stories. Explore these tips to elevate your writing skills and make your novel stand out. Initially, establishing a consistent writing routine will be crucial in completing your novel. Learn how to create a productive and sustainable writing practice that works for you here. Novel writing comes with unique challenges, such as writer’s block and plot development issues. All writers encounter obstacles, such as writer’s block and self-doubt. Discover effective strategies for overcoming these obstacles and staying motivated here.
Resources to Improve Your Skills
Numerous resources are available to help you refine your skills, such as writing workshops, online courses, books on writing craft, and writing communities for feedback and support. Some of my favorites are:
- Abbie Emmons
- Alexa Donne
- Brandon Sanderson
- Film Courage
- Jenna Moreci
- Jed Herne
- Jerry B. Jenkins
- The Closer Look
- The Oxford Writer
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I generate ideas for my writing? See: Brainstorming
- What tools can help me organize my writing projects? I prefer google docs (on a budget) or Scrivener. Some may benefit more from using Campfire.
- How do I know if my writing is any good? Have someone read it! Or you could step away from it for at least 2 weeks and reread it.
This comprehensive guide is just the beginning of your creative writing journey. Embrace the process, then learn from your experiences. Unquestionably, the most important thing is that you enjoy bringing your stories to life.
Do you already use any of the resources I linked? Do you have any additional resources that help you? Happy Writing!