Do you have an idea that you think you could turn into a novel? Personally, I believe that each of us has the ability to write a great story if we put our minds to it. We are all born with untapped creativity and talent just waiting to explode. Most of us have to deal with similar situations in life, which ultimately gives us the inspiration we need to write a great novel. The most important aspects of a novel are the plot, the characters, the setting, the genre, and the structure. The plot is more meaningful and drives the story.
First, start with a summary or synopsis of the story. This will allow you to build your story step by step and give it structure. Consider the beginning of your story, as well as the middle and end. Your story should flow and make sense as the plot unfolds.
Deciding early on whether your story will be written in the first or third person will have a huge influence on your story. Writing in third person instead of first person will give you more control over your story, since the point of view will be from many different characters and not just one character, as in the case of first person.
The best way to decide what genre you want to write about is to evaluate the type of books you normally like to read. You don’t have to stick to this pattern, but it will be easier for you to start writing your novel if you already have an interest in the subject. This will also help you determine the types of characters you want to create in your story. If you’re writing a Mills and Boon romance, for example, your hero and heroine might be a happy-go-lucky young couple who care only about their desires and their relationship with each other. The same couple would certainly not fit into a children’s novel. The genre, the characters and the plot must go hand in hand. There are different types of genres to choose from: detective, romance, story, children’s, feminine, mystery, thriller, science fiction, etc.
One of the keys to writing a successful novel is understanding and knowing your main characters and how they fit into your plot. Writing a bit of background information about each of them will allow you to figure out what drives each character and what drives them to do the things they do throughout the novel. Writing information such as: names, race, eye and hair color, gender, where they live, their occupation, their age, their hobbies, their relationship with each other, including dilemmas in their past and present will help you shape the novel. Gathering information like this early on will help you bring your story and characters to life. Sometimes authors find their characters take on a life of their own by completely changing the original plot!
When you build your chapters, perhaps you could start with an introduction to your main character and give an overview of any problems they may have that need to be resolved. Make your first page exciting or your readers will lose interest.
The location or setting of your story is very important in capturing the imagination. Try to visit the place you are writing about, if that is not possible then do some research on the area. Also consider whether your novel is based on the past, present, or future.
When you get to the end of your story, make sure all the loose ends are tied up and that you’ve left yourself and the reader with a satisfying ending.
Writing a novel requires time, effort, and patience. The best thing to do before you start is to read as many of your favorite novels as you can. This will help you break down the novels and divide them into sections, so you can get a proper understanding of how the novels are structured. Choose your favorite novel and scrutinize each chapter. Look for the climax in the story. Create your own climax in your own novel and see how it works.
There will be days when you get writer’s block and just don’t feel like writing anything, keep pushing. Even if you can’t think of anything to type and find yourself staring at your computer, take a break and start again later. If you are persistent, you will get there. Be realistic and don’t set goals that are too high. If you’ve made a commitment to write five pages a day, do your best to stick to it. But remember that writing should be fun and not a burden. Keep going and you’ll have your novel finished in no time.