Writing a novel can be a daunting task, especially for beginners. There are so many aspects to consider, such as plot, characters, setting, theme, style, and more. You may ask yourself:
- How do I start a novel?
- How do I finish?
- How do I make my novel stand out from the rest?
In this blog post, I will share with you some tips and advice on how to write a novel.
By the end of this article, I hope you have a clear idea of how to write a novel that is engaging, original, and satisfying.
Let’s get started!
What Is A Novel?
A novel is a type of literary work that tells a fictional story through prose. Novels typically have a plot, characters, setting, theme, and style that distinguish them from other forms of fiction, such as short stories or poems.
Considered as one of the most popular and influential forms of art and entertainment in the modern world, they can inspire, educate, challenge, and entertain readers of all ages and backgrounds.
Novels can be classified into different genres, such as romance, mystery, fantasy, science fiction, historical fiction, and more.
They can also vary in length, from novellas that are usually less than 50,000 words to epics that can span hundreds of thousands of words.
Different Novel Types
Novel writing is a diverse and creative form of expression that can encompass many different types and genres. To the extent that in some cases these types overlap. But Some of the most common types of novels are:
1. Literary novels
Literary novels focus on the style, language, and themes of the story, rather than the plot or the genre.
Literary novels often explore complex issues, such as identity, morality, or social justice, and challenge the reader to think critically and emotionally. And may also experiment with narrative techniques, such as multiple perspectives, nonlinear structure, or stream of consciousness.
2. Genre novels
Genre novels belong to a specific genre, such as romance, mystery, fantasy, science fiction, horror, or historical fiction.
They follow certain conventions and expectations that appeal to fans of that genre. For example, a romance novel usually features a love story between two protagonists who overcome obstacles to be together, while a mystery novel usually involves a crime that needs to be solved by a detective or an amateur sleuth.
3. Commercial novels
Commercial novels are written with the intention of reaching a large audience and selling well. They are often fast-paced, plot-driven, and entertaining, with appealing characters and settings. Commercial novels may also belong to a genre, but they are more accessible and less complex than literary or genre novels.
Commercial novels are sometimes called mainstream or popular fiction.
4. Young adult (YA) novels
Young adult novels are aimed at readers between the ages of 12 and 18. YA novels typically feature teenage protagonists who face challenges and experiences that are relevant to their age group, such as school, family, friendship, romance, identity, or social issues. YA novels may also belong to a genre, but they are more focused on the character’s growth and development than the genre elements.
5. Children’s novels
Children’s novels are written for younger readers, usually between the ages of 6 and 12. Children’s novels often have simple language, short chapters, and illustrations to help the reader understand the story.
Children’s novels may also belong to a genre, but they are more playful and imaginative than realistic or serious. Children’s novels often feature themes such as adventure, friendship, humor, or magic.
Common Novel Genres
Novel writing is a diverse and creative form of expression that can encompass many different genres, styles and themes. Some of the most common genres in novel writing are:
1. Romance
Romance novels focus on the emotional and romantic relationships between two or more characters, often with a happy ending.
They can be set in any time period, location or culture, and may include subgenres such as historical, paranormal, erotic, contemporary or fantasy.
2. Mystery
Mystery novels involve a puzzle or a crime that needs to be solved by the protagonist, usually with the help of clues, suspects and red herrings.
Mystery novels can range from cozy to hard-boiled, and may include subgenres such as detective, thriller, suspense or horror.
3. Fantasy
Fantasy fictions feature elements of magic, supernatural or mythical creatures, alternative worlds or realities, or other imaginative concepts that are not based on reality.
They can be set in any time period or location, and may include subgenres such as epic, urban, dark, high or low fantasy.
4. Science Fiction
Science fiction explores the effects of science, technology, innovation or imagination on society, individuals or the environment. Science fiction novels can be set in the past, present or future, and may include subgenres such as dystopian, utopian, cyberpunk, steampunk, space opera or post-apocalyptic.
5. Historical Fiction
This genre recreates a specific time period or historical event in the past, often with fictional characters or events that are based on real people or facts.
Historical fiction novels can be set in any era or location, and may include subgenres such as biographical, alternate history, historical romance or historical fantasy.
4 Steps To Write A Novel
Writing a novel can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. With some planning, discipline and creativity, you can turn your idea into a finished manuscript.
Here are four steps to help you write a novel that readers will love:
1. Generate Ideas For Your Novel
The first step in writing a novel is to come up with an idea that excites you and motivates you to write. There are many ways to generate ideas for your novel, such as:
- Reading books in your genre or outside your genre
- Watching movies, TV shows, or documentaries
- Listening to music, podcasts, or audiobooks
- Browsing the internet, social media, or blogs
- Observing people, places, or events in real life
- Asking yourself “what if” questions or playing with scenarios
- Brainstorming with friends, family, or other writers
- Using prompts, exercises, or tools
The key is to be curious and open-minded.
Don’t judge your ideas too harshly at this stage. Just write them down and see what sparks your interest. You can also combine different ideas or twist them in unexpected ways.
Once you have a list of ideas, you need to choose one that you want to develop into a novel.
How do you know which idea is the best? Here are some criteria to help you decide:
- Is it original? Does it offer something new or different to the readers?
- Is it marketable? Does it fit into a genre or category that has a demand and an audience?
- Is it feasible? Can you realistically write it within your time frame and resources?
- Is it meaningful? Does it have a message or a theme that resonates with you and your readers?
- Is it exciting? Does it make you want to write and read more?
If you can answer yes to most of these questions, then you have a good idea for your novel. Congratulations! Now let’s move on to the next step.
2. Plan And Outline Your Novel
The second step in writing a novel is to plan and outline your novel. This means creating a structure and a roadmap for your story. Planning and outlining can help you:
- Organize your thoughts and ideas
- Avoid plot holes and inconsistencies
- Create tension and suspense
- Build character arcs and relationships
- Establish the setting and the world
- Define the tone and the style
There are many ways to plan and outline your novel, depending on your preference and personality. Some writers like to have a detailed outline that covers every scene and chapter. Some writers like to have a loose outline that gives them room for improvisation. Some writers like to have no outline at all and just write by the seat of their pants.
There is no right or wrong way to plan and outline your novel. You need to find what works best for you and your story. However, here are some common elements that most novels have:
- Premise: A one-sentence summary of what your novel is about.
- Genre: The category or type of your novel, such as romance, thriller, fantasy, etc.
- Audience: The target group of readers who would enjoy your novel.
- Theme: The main message or lesson that your novel conveys.
- Plot: The sequence of events that make up your story.
- Characters: The people who populate your story and drive the action.
- Setting: The time and place where your story takes place.
- Point of view: The perspective from which your story is told.
- Style: The way you use language, tone, voice, dialogue, etc.
You can use these elements as a guide to create an outline for your novel. You can also use tools such as index cards, sticky notes, spreadsheets, software, etc. to help you organize your outline.
3. Write Your First Draft
The third step in writing a novel is to write your first draft. This means putting words on the page and turning your outline into a manuscript.
Writing your first draft can be challenging but also rewarding. Here are some tips to help you write your first draft:
Set A Goal
Decide how long you want your novel to be and how much time you want to spend on it. Then break it down into smaller chunks, such as words per day, pages per week, chapters per month, etc. This will help you stay focused and motivated.
Schedule A Time
Find a time of the day that works best for you and your creativity. Then stick to it and make it a habit. This will help you avoid distractions and procrastination.
Find A Place
Find a place where you can write comfortably and productively. It can be your home, office, library, coffee shop, etc. Make sure it has the right atmosphere, lighting, noise level, etc. for you.
Write Fast
Don’t worry about grammar, spelling, punctuation, or style at this stage. Just write as fast as you can and get your story out of your head and onto the page. You can fix the mistakes later.
Write In Order
Try to write your novel from start to finish, following your outline. This will help you maintain the flow and continuity of your story. If you get stuck on a scene or a chapter, skip it and move on to the next one. You can come back to it later.
Write For Yourself
Don’t think about what other people will think or say about your novel. Just write what you want to write and what makes you happy. This is your story and your voice.
4. Revise And Edit Your Novel
The fourth step in writing a novel is to revise and edit your novel. This means improving your manuscript and making it ready for publication. Revising and editing can be tedious but also essential.
Here are some tips to help you revise and edit your novel:
Take A Break
After you finish your first draft, put it aside for a while and let it rest. This will help you gain some distance and perspective from your work. You can use this time to read other books, work on other projects, or just relax.
Read Aloud
When you are ready to revise your novel, read it aloud to yourself or to someone else. This will help you catch errors, inconsistencies, awkwardness, or dullness in your writing. You can also use tools such as text-to-speech software or audiobook apps to listen to your novel.
Get Feedback
Seek feedback from other people who can give you honest and constructive criticism. They can be friends, family, beta readers, critique partners, editors, etc. Listen to their opinions and suggestions, but don’t let them change your vision or voice.
Rewrite
Based on your own judgment and the feedback you received, rewrite the parts of your novel that need improvement. You may need to add, delete, move, or change scenes, chapters, characters, dialogue, etc. You may also need to rewrite your novel several times until you are satisfied with it.
Proofread
When you are done with rewriting your novel, proofread it carefully for any errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, or formatting. You can use tools such as spell checkers, grammar checkers, style guides, etc. to help you with this task.
5. Publish Your Novel
The fifth and final step in writing a novel is to publish your novel. This means sharing your work with the world and reaching your readers.
Publishing your novel can be exciting but also daunting. Here are some tips to help you publish your novel:
Decide How To Publish
You have two main options for publishing your novel:
- traditional publishing
- self-publishing
Traditional publishing involves finding an agent who will represent you and pitch your novel to publishers who will print and distribute your book.
Self-publishing involves doing everything yourself or hiring professionals who will help you with editing, designing, formatting, marketing, etc.
Research The Market
Before you publish your novel, you need to research the market and know who your readers are and what they want.
You also need to research the genre and category of your novel and know who your competitors are and what they offer.
Prepare A Query Letter Or A Book Proposal
If you choose traditional publishing, you need to write a query letter or a book proposal that will introduce yourself and your novel to potential agents or publishers.
A query letter is a one-page letter that summarizes your novel and explains why it is unique and marketable.
A book proposal is a longer document that includes more details about your novel such as the synopsis, the outline, the sample chapters, the target audience, the marketing plan, etc.
Submit Or Upload
If you choose traditional publishing, you need to submit your query letter or book proposal to agents or publishers who accept submissions in your genre or category. You can use tools such as directories, databases, websites, etc. to find them.
If you choose self-publishing, you need to upload your manuscript and cover design to platforms such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Smashwords,Draft2Digital (D2D), etc.
Promote
After you publish your novel, you need to promote it and reach more readers.
You can use tools such as social media, blogs, podcasts, newsletters, ads, etc.
3 Books On Writing A Novel
If you are interested in writing a novel, you may want to read some books that can guide you through the process and offer you some tips and techniques.
Here are some books that I recommend for aspiring novelists:
1. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King.
This is a classic book that combines King’s personal story with his insights on the craft of writing. King covers topics such as plot, character, dialogue, description, and revision, as well as his own writing habits and routines.
He also shares some of his experiences in the publishing industry and gives advice on how to deal with rejection and criticism.
2. Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book On Novel Writing You’ll Ever Need by Jessica Brody.
This book is based on the popular Save the Cat! method of screenwriting, which involves creating a 15-beat plot structure and using genre-specific templates to craft your story.
Brody shows how you can apply this method to any novel genre, from romance to thriller to fantasy. She also provides examples from successful novels and shows how they follow the Save the Cat! formula.
3. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott.
This is a humorous and heartfelt book that explores the joys and challenges of writing and living as a writer. Lamott shares her own struggles and successes as a novelist, as well as her wisdom and advice on various aspects of writing, such as getting started, finding your voice, dealing with writer’s block, and revising your work. She also encourages writers to embrace their imperfections and find their own truth.
4 Common Mistakes While Writing A Novel
As I mentioned before, writing a novel is a challenging and rewarding endeavor, but it also requires a lot of skill and attention to detail.
Some common mistakes that novice writers make while writing a novel are:
1. Not Having A Clear Plot Structure.
A novel should have a beginning, a middle and an end, with a coherent and engaging storyline that connects them. A plot structure helps the writer to organize their ideas, create suspense and tension, and avoid inconsistencies and confusion.
2. Not Developing The Characters.
A novel should have believable and relatable characters that the reader can empathize with and care about. A character should have a personality, a motivation, a goal, a conflict, and a growth arc. A character should also have flaws and strengths, and face challenges and consequences for their actions.
3. Not Using Effective Dialogue.
A novel should have dialogue that reveals the character’s personality, emotions, intentions, and relationships. A dialogue should also advance the plot, create conflict, and provide information. A dialogue should be realistic, natural, and consistent with the character’s voice and background.
4. Not Editing And Revising.
A novel should be polished and refined before it is published or submitted to an agent or publisher. Editing and revising involves checking for grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax, and formatting errors, as well as improving the style, clarity, flow, and coherence of the writing. Editing and revising also involves getting feedback from other writers or readers, and making changes based on their suggestions.
4 Common Questions About Writing A Novel
Here are some common questions and answers that can help you on your journey.
1. Can I Write A Novel With No Experience?
This is a question that many aspiring writers ask themselves, and the answer is not simple. Writing a novel is a complex and challenging endeavor that requires creativity, discipline, and perseverance. It also involves a lot of skills and knowledge that are not easily acquired without practice and feedback.
Some people may argue that anyone can write a novel, as long as they have a good idea and a passion for storytelling. They may point to examples of successful authors who started writing without any formal training or education, such as J.K. Rowling, Stephen King, or Mark Twain. They may also suggest that writing a novel is a matter of following some basic rules and guidelines, such as having a clear plot, engaging characters, and a consistent style.
However, others may contend that writing a novel is not something that can be done without any experience or preparation. They may emphasize the importance of studying the craft of writing, learning from other writers, and honing one’s skills through practice and revision. They may also warn that writing a novel is not as easy as it seems, and that it involves a lot of challenges and pitfalls, such as finding an original voice, avoiding clichés and stereotypes, and dealing with writer’s block.
Ultimately, the answer to whether you can write a novel with no experience depends on your goals and expectations. If you want to write a novel for your own enjoyment and satisfaction, then you can certainly try to do so without any experience. You may find it rewarding and fulfilling to express yourself through words and create your own world and characters. However, if you want to write a novel for publication and recognition, then you may need to invest more time and effort into developing your writing skills and knowledge. You may also need to seek feedback and guidance from other writers, editors, and readers, who can help you improve your work and make it more appealing to a wider audience.
2. How Long Should A Novel Be?
Again, the answer is not simple, as different genres, markets, and audiences may have different expectations and preferences. However, there are some general guidelines that can help you estimate the ideal word count for your novel.
According to the Writer’s Digest, the average word count for a novel is between 80,000 and 89,999 words. However, this range can vary depending on the genre and the target audience. For example, science fiction and fantasy novels tend to be longer, as they require more world-building and complex plots. On the other hand, romance and young adult novels tend to be shorter, as they focus more on character development and emotional appeal.
Of course, these are not hard-and-fast rules, and there are always exceptions. Some novels are much shorter or longer than the average, and still achieve critical and commercial success. For example, Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea is only about 27,000 words, while J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings is over 450,000 words. Ultimately, the length of your novel should depend on the story you want to tell, and how you want to tell it.
However, if you are aiming to publish your novel traditionally, you may want to consider the expectations of agents and editors. They may have certain word count limits or preferences based on their experience and market research. If your novel is too short or too long for your genre, it may be harder to find a publisher or a readership. Therefore, it is advisable to do some research on the word count ranges for your genre and audience before you submit your manuscript.
3. How Do I Know If My Novel Is Good Enough?
There is no definitive answer, but there are some ways to evaluate your work and get feedback from others.
One way to assess your novel is to compare it to the standards of your genre and target audience.
- What are the expectations and conventions of the readers you want to reach?
- How does your novel fit into the current market and trends?
- How does it stand out from the competition?
You can research these questions by reading books in your genre, browsing online forums and reviews, and studying the bestsellers and award winners.
Another way to gauge your novel is to get honest and constructive criticism from people who know about writing and storytelling. You can join a writers’ group, take a workshop, hire an editor, or ask a trusted friend or mentor. The key is to find someone who can give you specific and helpful feedback, not just praise or vague comments. You should also be open to hearing different opinions and perspectives, and be willing to revise your work accordingly.
Finally, you should trust your own instincts and passion. Ultimately, you are the one who knows your story best, and you have to be satisfied with it. You should write the novel that you want to read, and that reflects your unique voice and vision. If you love your novel and believe in it, chances are that others will too.
4. Why Novels Get Rejected?
Many aspiring authors dream of publishing their novels and reaching a wide audience of readers. However, getting a novel accepted by a publisher is not an easy task. There are many factors that can lead to a novel being rejected, some of which are beyond the author’s control.
Here are some of the most common reasons why novels get rejected:
The Novel Does Not Fit The Publisher’s Genre, Style, Or Target Market.
Publishers have specific criteria and preferences for the types of novels they want to publish. They may reject a novel that is too niche, too mainstream, too experimental, too similar to other books, or too different from their existing catalog. The author should research the publisher’s guidelines and submission policies before sending their manuscript.
The Novel Is Poorly Written Or Edited.
Publishers expect a high level of quality and professionalism from the manuscripts they receive. They may reject a novel that has grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, inconsistent formatting, weak plot, flat characters, clichéd dialogue, or other flaws that indicate a lack of craft or care. The author should revise and proofread their manuscript multiple times, and seek feedback from beta readers, critique partners, or professional editors.
The Novel Is Not Original Or Compelling Enough.
Publishers are looking for novels that stand out from the crowd and offer something new and exciting to the readers. They may reject a novel that is too predictable, boring, derivative, or formulaic. The author should strive to create a novel that has a unique voice, a fresh perspective, a strong hook, and a clear marketability.
The Novel Is Not Ready For Publication.
Publishers have limited time and resources to invest in each novel they publish. They may reject a novel that requires too much work or revision to make it publishable. The author should polish their manuscript to the best of their ability and make sure it is as close to finished as possible before submitting it.
The Novel Is Unlucky.
Sometimes, a novel may be rejected for reasons that have nothing to do with its quality or suitability. Publishers may have already acquired a similar book, have a full list of titles for the year, have a change in editorial direction, have a personal bias, or simply miss the opportunity. The author should not take rejection personally and keep trying until they find the right publisher for their novel.
