The Power of the Pen: Practical Writing Advice for Aspiring Novelists
If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’ve found yourself dreaming about crafting a world with nothing more than your imagination and a blank piece of paper. Writing a novel is a fulfilling yet mammoth task but fret not, we’ve compiled a list of practical tips to help you embark on this literary adventure.
1. Find Your ‘Why’: Your novel should be a project of passion. Whether you want to explore a particular theme, create certain characters, or merely love the act of storytelling, your ‘why’ keeps you motivated throughout the process.
2. Plot It Out: Some authors prefer winging it, but having at least a basic outline keeps you focused on the storyline and avoids plot loopholes. Your outline should give you a sense of direction but remain flexible for those moments of inspiration.
3. Know Your Characters: Your characters drive your plot. Invest time in character development. Understanding your characters— their desires, fears, and personalities— allows for authentic reactions and choices within your narrative.
4. Show, Don’t Tell: One golden rule of writing is to show rather than tell. Instead of telling your readers a character is angry, show it through their actions, words, or body language. This makes your writing more engaging and visceral.
5. Consistent Point of View: Whether you choose first, second, or third-person narration, consistency in point of view is crucial. It helps the reader follow the story without getting jarred by random shifts in perspective.
6. Embrace Conflict: Conflict is the lifeblood of a story. Explore various types of conflict— internal, external, with society, or nature. These conflicts create engaging narratives and enable character growth.
7. Break It Down: Writing a novel can seem daunting, but breaking the task into smaller, manageable parts can make it less overwhelming. Set yourself achievement markers like completing a chapter or a specific word count.
8. Edit, Edit, Edit: Once your first draft is complete, the real work begins. Editing is a critical part of writing. Look for inconsistencies, redundancies, unnecessary jargon, typos, and grammar mistakes. Read your work aloud – it can help you spot awkward phrasing.
9. Become a Voracious Reader: The most potent tool for a writer is reading. Read widely and diversely—novels, newspapers, poetry, essays. Analyze what you loved in a book or what didn’t work. This equips you with writing dos and don’ts and helps you discover your writing style.
10. Seek Professional Help: Professional editing services like PaperBlazer can be invaluable for aspiring writers. They provide a fresh set of experienced eyes to polish your manuscript and make it submission-ready.
Writing a novel isn’t easy, but the outcome can be profoundly satisfying. So go ahead, unleash your creativity and start writing your masterpiece.
Sources:
“Fiction Writing Basics.” The Writing Studio, Duke University. https://twp.duke.edu/sites/twp.duke.edu/files/file-attachments/fiction-writing-basics.original.pdf
“Top Novel Writing Tips.” The Writers Bureau. https://www.writersbureau.com/writing/Novel-Writing-Tips.htm
“So You Want to Write a Novel?” The Writing Cooperative. https://writingcooperative.com/so-you-want-to-write-a-novel-d035589cd2ff
“Tips for Aspiring Novelists”. John Grisham. https://johngrisham.com/tips-for-aspiring-novelists/
