Tiffany Haney
Writing a novel can be a challenging and lengthy process. Many novice writers are compelled by an idea, a situation, a character, or a world, but often the story runs out of steam. To get started, it's important to have a clear idea of the story you want to tell and ensure it can sustain an entire novel. If not, consider adapting it into a short story. To develop your idea, you can adapt plots from fairy tales, folk legends, or real-life events, and create diverse and intricate characters that readers can connect with. It's also crucial to understand your characters' backstories, traits, and motivations. Don't be discouraged if you get stuck; creative writing is a deliberate process, and you can always revisit and rewrite your work.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Writing process | Deliberate |
| Sources of inspiration | Curiosity, real-life experiences, news, history, documentaries, non-fiction books, podcasts, poems, self-help books, museums, travel, bookstores, cafes, cities, movies, art, etc. |
| Novel characteristics | Compelling story, strong main character, conflict, diverse and intricate characters, character development, character backstories, interesting settings, rich world-building, etc. |
| Writing tips | Write for yourself, explore ideas, outline or "pants," research, start in medias res, create tension, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Start with a what if question
Starting with a "what if" question is a great way to develop novel ideas. This technique is commonly used by authors to develop their ideas into books. For example, the novel The Martian by Andy Weir asks the question, "What if you got stuck alone on Mars?" and E.L. James's 50 Shades of Grey asks, "What if you met a sexy billionaire who offered you everything in exchange for something unexpected in the bedroom?"
When you ask a "what if" question, you are creating a hypothetical scenario that can spark curiosity and creativity. It is a way to explore possibilities and imagine alternative outcomes, which is the foundation of storytelling. By asking "what if", you are already beginning to build a narrative and a world that your characters can inhabit.
To develop your "what if" question, start by thinking about what interests and inspires you. What are you curious about? What catches your attention? For example, if you are drawn to medieval doorways, you might ask, "What if I discovered a hidden message in the carvings of a medieval doorway?" This question immediately opens up possibilities for mystery and intrigue.
Another way to develop your "what if" question is to put your characters in challenging situations. For example, "What if my character had to make a difficult moral choice?" or "What if my character's worst fear came true?" By putting your characters in difficult situations, you create conflict and tension, which are essential elements of storytelling.
Remember, there are no rules when it comes to creativity. The most important thing is to let your imagination run free and explore the possibilities that your "what if" question presents. You can always refine and develop your idea further as you build your world, characters, and plot.
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Create diverse, intricate characters
Writing a novel is a lengthy undertaking, and it's common for writers to get stuck or run out of steam. To create diverse, intricate characters, you can follow these steps:
Research and Understand Different Perspectives
It is essential to conduct thorough research when creating diverse characters. Understand that people are diverse due to their unique life experiences, built on their DNA, ethnicity, culture, beliefs, and more. Researching and understanding different perspectives and ideologies will help you create characters with layered thoughts, motivations, and actions.
Avoid Stereotypes and Flat Characters
Treat each character as an individual, not a group representative. Avoid stereotypes and one-dimensional characters by giving them their own quirks, strengths, weaknesses, dreams, and unique backstories. Ensure that your characters are not mere afterthoughts, but rather integral parts of the narrative with their own agency and relevance.
Dig Deeper into Their Psyche
Give your characters a diverse emotional palette. Understand their general temperament and round them out with additional characteristics. Identify their personality flaws and strengths, and consider how these affect their lives and interactions. Add surprising elements to their personalities, such as unexpected hobbies or interests.
Understand Their Roles and Relationships
Explore the different roles your characters fill, such as their career or desired job. Understand their home life, their responsibilities, and their relationships with friends, family, and the community. These aspects will add depth to your characters and make them more relatable and three-dimensional.
Test Their Complexity
Imagine your character in a mundane setting, such as a grocery store, or a setting that is outside the context of your story. If your character's presence in this hypothetical scene doesn't create cognitive discord, you've successfully created a complex character.
Remember, creating diverse, intricate characters involves embracing the fascinating complexity of human experiences. By following these steps, you can transform your narrative into a vibrant feast, reflecting the richness of our diverse world.
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Adapt a story from real life
Adapting a story from real life can be a challenging yet fulfilling process. Here are some steps to help you get started:
Immerse Yourself in the Subject Matter
Conduct thorough research to understand the core of the story. Interview people, read diaries, letters, news articles, and other firsthand accounts. Explore biographies, documentaries, and expert interviews to gain multiple perspectives.
Identify the Universal Theme
Behind every life story is a universal theme, such as love, redemption, or perseverance. Identify this theme early on and use it as a guide for your adaptation.
Focus on Key Character Traits and Arcs
Real-life characters can be as complex as fictional ones. Distill the essence of the characters by focusing on their key traits, desires, and arcs. Combine multiple real-life figures into one composite character if it simplifies the narrative.
Be Creative with Plot Points
Take creative liberties to invent or amplify plot points to make the story more engaging. Compress information or characters to fit the format you're working with. Remember, your goal is to create a captivating and well-structured narrative with interesting characters.
Avoid Clichés and Sensationalism
Be cautious not to fall into the trap of clichés, such as over-dramatization, tidy endings, excessive flashbacks, or voiceovers. Avoid exploiting or sensationalizing real events or people. Respect the weight of handling someone's lived experience.
Secure Necessary Rights and Consider Libel
When adapting someone's story or using source material, ensure you have the necessary rights. Also, be mindful of libel laws and accurately depict individuals without causing harm or defamation.
Visual Storytelling and Symbolism
Use locations, costumes, and props that mirror the time and place of the real-life story. Incorporate symbols to convey deeper meanings and emotions when dialogue falls short.
Remember, adapting a real-life story requires a balance between staying true to the events and creating a captivating narrative. Immerse yourself in the subject matter, identify the universal theme, focus on character arcs, and be creative with plot points. Avoid clichés, sensationalism, and always respect the individuals and their experiences.
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Choose a world you want to spend time in
Writing a novel can be a lengthy and challenging process, but there are several methods to help turn your ideas into a compelling story.
Firstly, choose a world in which you want to spend a lot of time. This is important because it requires readers to immerse themselves in a specific world for the duration of the book. It will also require you, the author, to immerse yourself in that world for weeks, months, or even years. This world can be entirely fictional, or it can be based on real-life settings and time periods.
Next, decide on a story that will sustain the reader's interest throughout the novel. A good story is driven by conflict, which is the engine that will drive your plot. Ask yourself ""what if" questions to help develop your story. For example, "What if the gods of New Zealand decided to take their land back after a natural disaster?" as in the novel Risen Gods.
Now that you have a world and a story, assemble a cast of characters. Your main character is the most important among these and should be unforgettable. A strong main character will have a rich and detailed life, including a personal backstory, character traits, and goals. The more you understand your characters, the more you will have to say about them. Make your characters diverse and intricate, emulating what we see in reality, to allow the reader to believe in and connect with your protagonist.
Finally, put yourself in situations that are out of your comfort zone. Visit new places, notice what you're feeling, and consider the questions that arise. Keep a notebook with you to jot down your observations and impressions.
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Write a short story first
Writing a novel can be daunting, especially if you're a novice writer. Many people start writing, compelled by an idea, a situation, a character, or a world, but soon find that their story runs out of steam. If you're struggling to get your novel ideas to pan out, consider starting small with a short story.
A short story doesn't require as much plot or character development as a novel, so it can be a great way to get your feet wet in the writing process. Choose a world or setting that interests you and that you want to spend time in. This could be inspired by your own life experiences, a place you've visited, or simply a genre or time period that fascinates you.
Once you have your setting, create a cast of characters, including a strong main character with a rich and detailed life. Think about their personal backstory, character traits, goals, and ambitions. The more you understand your characters, the easier it will be to write about them. You can also draw inspiration from people you know in real life, as well as from movies, books, or other creative works.
As you develop your characters, consider the "what if" questions that could drive the plot of your short story. For example, "What if a couple on a sailing trip encountered a huge tidal wave?" or "What if 99% of the population was wiped out by a plague?" These types of questions can help you create compelling conflicts that will engage your readers.
When you're ready to start writing, don't worry too much about perfection. Allow yourself to write a first draft in a mindset of exploration, and don't worry about typos or minor mistakes. You can always go back and edit later. The most important thing is to enjoy the creativity and storytelling that comes with writing a short story.
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Frequently asked questions
Start by figuring out what story you want to tell and deciding whether you want to outline everything before you start writing or write by the seat of your pants. Then, create an unforgettable main character with a rich and detailed life, including a backstory, character traits, and goals and ambitions.
Creativity comes from all sources, so try adapting a story from real life, such as by reading the news or historical texts, watching documentaries, or listening to a podcast. You can also create a character based on someone you know.
To get readers to connect with your novel, they need to connect with diverse and intricate characters. Make your characters relatable by giving them human flaws and backstories that influence their reactions to different situations.
Writing a novel is a lengthy undertaking, and it's normal to get stuck at times. Try putting your novel on the back burner and looking out for material you can reimagine in your novel. Keep a notebook with you to jot down observations about people you know or impressions of new places you visit.
