8 Novel Writing Tips and Tools
Writing a novel is no small feat. If you are anything like me, I dove into my novel writing without knowing a lot about the craft of fiction. New and aspiring authors don’t know what they didn’t know and that is perfectly okay. There is no shame in starting at the beginning. Every author does.
Key takeaways:
The learning curve for writing your first novel is steep, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be successful.
8 things to consider when embarking on your novel writing journey.
Writing a novel is a journey, and every writer's process is unique.
The learning curve for writing your first novel is steep, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be successful. Learning how to write a novel start to finish is a part of the writing process.
Here are 8 things to consider when embarking on your novel writing journey:
1. Develop well-rounded characters:
Characters are the heart of any novel. I will be as bold to say that characters are more important than the actual plot.
Character arcs are what readers connect with. They want to root for your main character, even if they are up to no good. Readers connect with the redeeming qualities of a character both consciously and unconsciously. The more compelling your characters, the more believable they are which pulls readers into your story.
Create characters that feel real and three-dimensional by giving them distinct personalities, backgrounds, and goals. Explore their motivations, fears, and desires to make them relatable and believable. Flaws and internal conflicts add depth and complexity to your characters, making them more engaging for readers.
Ask yourself, what is the inner change or growth that will take place within my main character?
Who your character has to become in order to get what they want is the real driver of your story.
2. Outline your story:
Hate it or love it, having a form of an outline will help you reach ‘the end’ with more ease. Outlining helps you organize your thoughts and create a roadmap for your novel.
An outline provides structure and direction. Start with the major plot points, including the inciting incident, rising action, climax, and resolution. Consider the character arcs and how they will evolve throughout the story. Within fiction and each genre, there are specific plot points that readers have come to expect. For more details on how to approach outlining your novel, visit this blog post on the 3-Act Structure.
3. Show, don't tell:
This is a skill that takes time to develop so don’t beat yourself up if it feels challenging at first.
To show and not tell is a writing technique that describes what is happening using the five senses rather than summarizing an action with a flat or frankly, a boring descriptive statement. (e.g. He put his coffee cup down.)
Instead of summarizing or explaining events, use vivid descriptions, sensory details, and well-crafted dialogue to show what's happening in your story. This allows readers to experience the events alongside the characters, making the narrative more immersive and engaging.
For more details and examples of how to do this, check out this blog on How to “Show, Not Tell.”
4. Balance dialogue and narrative:
Dialogue brings characters to life and provides an opportunity for them to interact and reveal their personalities. Narration, on the other hand, gives readers insights into the characters' thoughts, emotions, and the world around them. Both are needed to create a compelling narrative and are the building builds for words on the page. It is important to note that dialogue should move the plot forward and reveal information, while narration provides context and depth.
5. Create tension and conflict:
Conflict is the driving force behind a compelling story. Introduce obstacles, challenges, and conflicts that your characters must overcome. These can come from external sources, such as villains or challenging situations, as well as internal struggles and emotional conflicts within the characters. Tension keeps readers engaged and eager to see how the conflicts will be resolved.
These points are tension are the catalyst for your character’s growth. How they respond to these situations are the invitations to become how they need to be in order to get what they want.
6. Write regularly:
Why the above were writing technique tips, showing up to write is just as important. Consistency is key to completing a novel. But that is easier said than done. To help you stay on track, establish a writing routine that works for you, whether it's writing for a set amount of time each day or hitting a word count goal. Even on days when you don't feel particularly inspired, make an effort to sit down and write. Regular practice helps you develop discipline and maintain momentum throughout your writing journey. For more on how to create a writing practice, check out this blog post.
7. Continue to learn:
Writing a novel is a process that involves sitting down to write, it is also important to keep learning. This can be done by reading articles like this, taking a course, or attending writing workshops & groups. Leverage MeetUp.com or do a Google search for workshops and groups in your area. This is a great way to connect with other writers and learn what has worked for them.
8. Embrace the revision process:
Your first draft is just the beginning. Embrace the revision process as an opportunity to refine and enhance your story. Read through your draft with a critical eye, looking for areas that need improvement. Consider feedback from beta readers or writing groups, and be open to making changes. Revision is where your story truly takes shape, so approach it with a mindset of growth and improvement.
If you are still working on your first draft, don’t worry too much about the editing process. It is most important to get your story out of your head and onto paper at this stage. Enjoy the process and know that you can edit multiple drafts to keep refining and implementing what you have been learning about writing.
These tips are designed to get you going and to keep writing forward. The great thing is that writing doesn’t require a lot of tools. However, If you are the type of person where having the right tools is important to you for accountability and tracking your progress, these tools have been helpful in my own writing journey.
Tools to help you write your novel:
Scrivener - This is where I do all of my writing. There are a ton of features and their formatting tools are very helpful for when it's time to print your book.
Plotter - Great for outlining and plotting out your characters and scenes.
Foretelling App - Also a plotting app that helps you get ideas out of your head and into a plan for writing.
Novel Writing Checklist - Looking for more guidance on all that goes into writing a novel? Download my free Novel Writing Checklist.
Remember, writing a novel is a journey, and every writer's process is unique. Experiment, find your own voice, and enjoy the process of bringing your story to life!
