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If you're thinking about how to go about writing a novel, remember the following tips:
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A novel consists of a start, a middle section, and a conclusion.
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A book has its characters, storyline, backdrop, and tension.
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A novel must explore at least one theme.
Before diving into writing your novel, it's important to understand the features that differentiate novels from other forms of writing. A novel isn’t just an extended story; it’s a unique form of storytelling with various interconnected components.
What is a novel?
A novel is a story that spans the length of a book. Usually, novels range from 50,000 to 110,000 words, although this can differ depending on the genre. Due to their extensive length, novels often present intricate plots, featuring detailed explorations of characters, themes, and settings. They can cater to audiences of all ages, including adults, teens, and children, and can belong to numerous genres. Nonetheless, not all novels fit squarely into a single genre—some overlap multiple genres, while others defy categorization altogether.
Novels are works of fiction, though they can draw inspiration from historical figures or events. This distinction sets a novel apart from a general book: while a book can be any collection of written pages bound together, a novel specifically narrates an intricate fictional tale.
How to prepare to write a novel
Every novel begins with a concept. These concepts can originate from various sources: chats with pals, personal experiences, writing suggestions, challenging queries, imaginative exercises, books you've read, a visit to the Guisborough book shop, or simply the urge to create something enjoyable.
Idea
As you brainstorm ways to start your novel, let your creativity flow freely. Try freewriting to explore where your initial thoughts might lead. Other prewriting techniques include outlining the key elements or plot points you want to cover, diagramming or mapping out characters or story arcs, and listing aspects you wish to include. You might decide on the types of characters that will appear in your novel, the best setting for them, and the conflicts they'll face. Don't stress about perfecting everything at this stage; just delve into your ideas.
Characters
Characters in a novel can be people, animals, monsters, or even inanimate objects that engage in the story's events. Typically, a novel includes a protagonist, or main character, who undergoes some form of personal transformation due to the story's conflict. The antagonist, which may be another person, the environment, or an element within the protagonist, opposes the protagonist. This opposition creates the novel's conflict. Most novels feature multiple characters. Those who are not the main characters are known as supporting characters, and they fulfill different roles within the story.
Plot and narrative
Two essential components of novel writing are the plot and the narrative. While they are closely connected, they are not identical. The plot of a novel refers to the actual sequence of events, such as:
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Archaeologists uncover a civilization that was previously unknown.
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As they uncover it, they come to understand that this civilization is still flourishing.
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The archaeologists encounter the enigmatic leader of the civilization.
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When they spend time with the leader, they discover ancient secrets about the civilization's connection to extraterrestrial lifeforms.
Rather than publishing information about the civilization and its ancient knowledge, the archaeologists decide to integrate themselves into the civilization and safeguard its secrets.
This basic plot summary provides an overall idea of the novel's story but doesn't indicate the method of storytelling used in the novel. Is the narrative from the perspective of one of the archaeologists? Is it conveyed through a collection of journal entries? Does the story unfold in a straightforward sequence, or are there flashbacks mixed with present-day scenes? These aspects are included in the novel's narrative, which pertains to the way the story is told.
Theme
Finally, a novel contains at least one theme. The theme of a novel is the overarching question it seeks to address or the idea it intends to reflect upon. Referencing our earlier example, the themes of the novel could encompass pressures in academic publishing, the contrast between isolation and assimilation, the ownership of knowledge, and humanity's role in the cosmic order. It is possible to delve into all these themes using entirely different storylines, highlighting a fundamental attribute of themes in fiction. Themes are seldom directly stated; they are usually revealed through the characters' journeys and growth throughout the novel.
How to write a novel: 7 important steps
After understanding the seven key elements that make up a novel and how to start writing one, Jessica Blair demonstrates how it's time to dive into the actual work. The procedure for crafting a novel, as Blair outlines, is much like that for other types of writing: It begins with creating content and, through several drafts and revisions, culminates in a piece that's ready for publication.
Collect ideas
You probably spent time brainstorming to figure out the characters and plot of your novel. If you believe your idea is fully developed, there's no need to go through the brainstorming process again. However, if you think there are still gaps in the storyline or the conflict needs to be intensified, take some time to address these issues before creating an outline.
Make an outline
The subsequent phase in crafting a novel involves creating an outline. This tool can assist you in conceptualizing the structure of your novel and prevent you from becoming overwhelmed throughout the writing process. Similar to an essay outline, a novel outline serves as a basic scaffolding that outlines the main plot points of your story with a few details beneath each section. However, unlike an essay outline, a novel outline is solely for your personal use. There is no need to adhere to a strict format or include a specific level of detail since no one will evaluate or grade your outline.
Write draft
Start crafting your initial draft by following your outline as a guide. Be prepared for it to be rough and imperfect at first. Don’t stress about flawless grammar, consistent flow, or an entirely plot hole-free narrative: just focus on writing. The aim at this stage is to transfer the story from your mind to the page. Revisions will come later.
The upcoming four steps are crucial components of the novel-writing journey, though they don't have to be followed in the sequence we've provided. It's usually advisable to obtain critical feedback on your work prior to attempting to publish it. However, you might not feel prepared to share your initial, unpolished draft, and that's completely acceptable—many writers prefer to revise their work before presenting it to critical readers.
Look for feedback
Regardless of whether you're sharing your initial draft or one that has been revised, getting feedback from others is crucial. Having your work reviewed by fellow writers can be beneficial, but sharing it with family and friends who aren't writers is also fine if you don't have any writer acquaintances. When others read your work, they bring a fresh perspective and can identify plot holes, inconsistencies, and other problems that you may overlook due to your extensive familiarity with the novel.
It can be beneficial to request specific kinds of feedback, such as a focused critique on your characters' dialogue, the story's progression, or the effectiveness of the literary devices you've employed—whether they enhance the narrative or merely distract the reader. Although accepting constructive criticism can be challenging, it's crucial to understand that critiques of your writing are not personal attacks on you. Reader feedback is intended to assist you in refining your work, so take into account all the observations your readers provide.
Revise
Revise your draft based on feedback from readers and your own insights about the novel. This may involve removing entire scenes, characters, plot elements, or even concepts. Be merciless and ready to "kill your darlings"—a term used by writers to convey that sometimes you must eliminate a beloved plot point, character, or narrative element (even if you are fond of it) to improve the story as a whole.
While revising, prioritize the major elements of your novel that require changes. Correct grammar errors when you notice them, but don't get hung up on them right now. The objective at this point is to transform your first draft into a more concise and refined version.
Write one more draft
As you review your work, your initial draft will transform into your second draft. This moves you one step closer to the final version, but remember that you'll probably revise the second draft as well. For most writers, crafting a novel is a lengthy process. It typically takes around six months to produce a first draft, and just as long to revise and develop the second draft. The final version of your novel may end up being your third, fourth, or even later draft. Don’t hasten the process. If you feel you're not quite ready to write a full novel, consider setting it aside and working on something shorter, like a novella or a short story.
Edit
After completing a robust second (or later) draft, further edits are necessary before your work is ready for publication. Editing differs from revising in that it focuses on fine-tuning—the precise wording, correcting grammatical errors, and similar adjustments—rather than altering the core content of the novel. Review your polished draft one last time, and if you believe it's ready to share with the world, give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back for completing your novel.
At this point, some writers choose to follow the traditional publishing route, while others decide to self-publish. Each option comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. It can be valuable to talk to seasoned, published authors to figure out which option is the most suitable for your book.
Final Thoughts
writing a novel is a journey that requires dedication, creativity, and a willingness to revise and improve your work continuously. By understanding the essential elements of a novel character, plot, setting, theme, and narrative—you can build a solid foundation for your story. Starting with a strong concept, developing a detailed outline, and writing multiple drafts will help you craft a compelling and polished novel.
Remember to seek feedback from others to gain new perspectives and make necessary revisions. Editing your work meticulously ensures that your novel is ready for publication. Whether you choose traditional publishing or self-publishing, staying committed to your vision and refining your craft is the most important thing.
For those needing additional assistance in writing, whether for academic papers or creative projects, services like APA paper writing service EssayPro can provide valuable support. Embrace the process, trust your creativity, and soon enough, your novel will be ready to captivate readers.
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