Tips for Writing a Novel (and Why You Should Give It a Try)

It has been said that everyone has one good novel in them and, if you enjoy business writing, you may have considered writing one. It may surprise you to learn that, even if you don’t complete a novel, or like what you’ve written, the attempt can make you better at all the writing you do. Using your “writing brain” in different ways (i.e. considering plot, character, theme) will stretch it and give you an expanded “writing repertoire.” In addition, tackling a longer work will make those white papers, proposals, and reports seem easier by comparison. Here are some tips to get you started on writing your novel:

Create Great Characters

Your characters, especially your protagonist, need to be sympathetic to readers. That is, readers need to be able to relate to them. That doesn’t mean they should be boring, or that you should describe in fine detail how they pay their bills or wash their car. Rather, their motivations should be understandable and logical, and their behavior should be consistent with those motivations.

Also, try to create characters that are neither all good nor all bad. Characters that are only one or the other seem one-dimensional. Multi-dimensional characters are more interesting and will bring depth and interest to your story.

Not sure what your characters should do next? Try having “conversations” with them. It may seem silly, but many fiction writers will tell you that characters tend to take on a life of their own. If you find this to be true, take the time to discover if they know something you don’t!

Include Conflict

Your characters (especially your protagonist) should experience conflict, and the more, the better. Watching how your characters deal with conflict will help readers to understand them and perhaps even be inspired by them. It doesn’t matter if the conflict is with others (a creepy boss), with outside forces (the economy), or with the character, herself (addiction), as long as it forces the character to make hard decisions, struggle with values, or grow as a person. Remember, with no conflict, there is no story.

Create an Interesting Setting

In his book, Writing the Breakout Novel, Donald Maass recommends treating the setting as a character. Like a character, it should have a physical presence, a personality, and moods. Other characters should respond to it, and it should reflect the point of view of the narrator. Place your novel in a particular time, and add details, like historical events or social trends that make it credible. Maass writes, “The breakout novelist does not merely set a scene…she builds a world. She then sets her characters free in that world to experience all it has to offer.”

Make It Believable – But Not Too Believable

The premise of your novel should be real enough for readers to easily suspend their disbelief. But, even a story about life in suburbia needs something to spice it up. A strange situation, an unexpected event, or a mysterious visitor could all play that role.

Stay Focused

Every sentence of your novel should move the action forward, contribute to character development, or both.

Have you written or attempted to write a novel? Please share in the comments.

About the Author: Karen Marcus, M.A. is a Northern Colorado copywriter who has been helping clients in a wide range of industries to put their best word forward for 13 years. Click here for contact info.

November is National Novel Writing Month. Visit the National Novel Writing Month website to write a novel in 30 days! Read about Karen’s first “NaNo.”

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1. Tips for Writing a Nonfiction Book