It has become a common occurrence in my life. I tell someone I have written a novel, and the immediate response is, "Oh, I've always wanted to write a novel." It's amazing how many people want to write a book. Yet most people never write that novel because writing a novel can be a daunting, overwhelming task. Guess what? It doesn't have to be that difficult. On this web page, I give you advice and resources on writing that novel.
Here are some tips for novel writers in their quest for writing the great American novel:
- Decide What Kind of Novel It Will Be. Fiction? Nonfiction? Mystery? Thriller? Romance? You need to know what genre of novel you'll be writing and who your target reader is.
- Research. Do the necessary research on your novel. No matter what the book is on, you need to know what you're talking about; otherwise, people just won't want to hear what you have to say.
- Outline the Content and Characters. I recommend you create a book outline you can follow--this will serve as the blueprint for your novel. You need to outline your purpose for writing the novel, your theme, and stay focused on this purpose. Develop and understand your characters and the roles they play in your novel. Make them memorable but real.
- Write with a Quota. This is critical. Writing an entire novel is too much to swallow at once. Give yourself a daily page quota to fulfill, and then write that amount every day, no matter how long it takes. My suggestion is to write 3 pages a day.
- Revise. It has been said that true writing is re-writing. Nothing I ever write--even the simplest email--is the way I want it the first time around. Get good at editing your novel, revising it, re-writing it. Go over your writing content multiple times.
- Feedback. Getting quality feedback is extremely beneficial to improving your novel, whether it is from a smart, trusted friend or loved one, or a professional writer or editor. Listen and be open-minded.
I highly recommend a few outstanding books and guides on novel writing and tips to writing a great novel:
How to Write a Damn Good Novel: A Step-By-Step No Nonsense Guide to Dramatic Storytelling. Written in a clear, crisp style, this book is perfect for beginners or professional writers who need a crash course in the down-to-earth basics of storytelling. The author gives helpful, sensible rules and principles that will free a novel writer to face that intimidating first page, keep him on track when he falters, and help him analyze the problems with his work when he's done.
Writing Fiction: The Practical Guide from New York 's Acclaimed Creative Writing School . Written for the aspiring and experienced novel writer alike, the book includes: the fundamental elements of fiction craft--character, plot, point of view, etc--explained clearly and completely; key concepts illustrated with passages from great works of fiction; the complete text of "Cathedral" by Raymond Carver--a masterpiece of contemporary short fiction that is analyzed throughout the book; exercises that let you immediately apply what you learn to your own novel writing.
How to Write & Sell Your First Novel. An inspiring guide that gives information on the principles of writing the novel--story, plot, characters, etc--and motivating stories and advice on getting your novel published.