I recently completed a novel by a fairly new author. Though the concept was strong, I felt he failed at executing it. Wouldn’t it be easy to get a hands-on guide to perfect your fiction writing and pen the bestseller?
Indeed, the only person who can tell you how to write your novel is yourself. But a little assist around the process can help you refine the process further. Before rushing into another idea, you must consider few elements that will help you outline a perfect hook, drama, and satisfactory ending in the story.
Here are the 6 tips for fiction writing,
1. Genre
The most overlooked concept while fiction writing is genre. Genre decides the arc of the character, how will they survive? Will he reunite with the one true love? What obstacles will he face?
You should decide your genre very carefully as it will also affect the marketing decisions, cover design, and also helps with fixing the target audience. Having a genre will compartmentalize the character arc, the events that need to take place and also form your viewpoint across.
From a reader’s perspective, genre sets the expectation. For instance, if you read The Shinning which is categorized as a horror novel but when you read it turns out to be a teenage romantic drama. How would you react?
My favourite genre is suspense thriller. Do tell me yours?
2. Risks and rewards
What is at stake for your protagonist? What will he gain or lose after this event?
Your genre will be dictated by the stakes you choose. The stakes are also helpful in building tension and introducing conflict which will move the story forward. Whenever you’re out of ideas, the stakes give you something to throw at the protagonist when you’re out of ideas. Another plus point, the tension keeps the readers hooked. They are curious to know what happens next and how will the protagonist achieve the goal despite the obstacles.
3. Point of view
Point of view can be varied like third-person, first-person, omniscient, or free and direct. The question is how you decide the POV for your novel. Always ask ‘who is telling the story and why?’
Narration is a very important part of any story. It’s not just what you want to say but also how you say it that makes the difference to your readers. This is why you must choose the POV of the novel very carefully.
What you can do is write the first chapter using different POVs and observe how well does it fit with your story. Will it justify the expectations of the reader? Is it somehow elevating the feel of the story?
4. Setting
The setting of your novel will describe the time and place where the story is taking place. You should precisely jot down the background, time, and location. By specifying the setting you get to limit the infinite.
Though you have all the control over the story and it might get overwhelming to have so many options. Also, it is essential for the story as people act differently in different parts of the world. For instance, a couple from a rural area would be far different from a couple in New York City.
You’re introducing your readers to a new world so your word-building must be impeccable as readers are always there to point at the flaws. To simplify the process you can always create a map and a timeline or a sequence of events in the order you want them to be in.
5. Character
List down all the important characters from the story. The character bible must be detailed and this includes your protagonist, antagonist, and all the supporting characters. See that you include all the important aspects like age, appearance, likes, dislikes, background, strengths, and weaknesses, etc. most importantly don’t leave out the flaws. A character with no flaw is one-dimensional and boring. No matter how hypothetical our story is skip the hassle of perfect character.
Pro tip: Characters act differently depending on the relationship they share with the other character, so reading about human psychology will come in handy while writing.
6. Controlling idea
As Shawn Coyne states in The Story Grid, “controlling idea is the one-sentence explaining the global value change and its cause.” A one-sentence statement of the story’s ultimate meaning is expressed through the action and aesthetic emotion of the last act’s climax.
You can make use of the standard “value your story changes on” +“fails/prevails/perseveres/etc.” + “when” + “something happens” formula. This time you can refer to it at times you feel lost and move forward by developing the story accordingly.
For instance, life is preserved when heroes sacrifice themselves for the greater or that good love prevails when lovers give up their selfish needs for each other, or tyranny reigns when heroes fail to unleash their special gifts into the world.
Elements of Writing Are Essential for Your Book!
Often writers try to mimic their favorite authors’ process and there is nothing wrong with that. However, before rushing your idea to the paper you must consider the above-mentioned elements. These elements are essential to your book, resolving these elements will give you a better starting point for your story and help you craft it better.
Bottom line, starting the novel is never difficult but finishing one is. If your ideology holds the power to change the perception of the world then you need to finish it. Use all the sources you have, be aware of the methodologies, and never stop learning, all this will definitely contribute to your next bestseller.
Also Read:- How to Structure a Story? 6 Tips Every Writer Must Know
