Writing Your First Novel? You’ve talked about it for years. Well, let’s stop procrastinating and get to work, shall we? Would you like some tips before you begin?
Here are some ideas that might help. Having completed five novels and three screenplays, and well on my way to finishing my sixth novel, I’m sure that I can provide some assistance. Glad to do so. Here is a bit of insight: I’ve started and not completed as many novels as I’ve written. Hmm? Perhaps I can enlighten you on that particular aspect of the writing process. After all, your novel or book is going to become a big part of your life for some time.
WHAT IS THIS STORY ABOUT?
What is this story about, and, is it something that will keep your interest for the required time to write it? People grapple over this for years. If you know the answer to this question already, you’re well ahead of the game. If you don’t, here is a modicum of insight: Make certain that your main character is a person with whom you can remain assuredly interested. That the world situation, you place him/her within is of interest to you.
IS THE STORY ABOUT SOMETHING YOU’VE EXPERIENCED PERSONALLY?
Does the story have to be something you’ve experienced personally, or that you know something about before you begin your novel? No. One of the most exciting aspects of writing is learning as you go. Example: When I began writing my fourth novel, a dramatic sci-fi adventure called Assurity-A Space Thriller, I knew very little of the science and genetics of my story. However, it was exhilarating to learn about space and space travel. I enjoy astronomy; I’m by no means an expert. Your story is the important part; where you set your story may change. You may have to learn a great deal about the setting or the technology, any number of things. That you’re interested in the subject matter is vital. Otherwise, you get bored and so does the reader. On the other hand, you may need to do absolutely no research. It may come flowing right out of your head; right from where you live.
GENRE
Many successful authors write in predominantly one genre.
What Is a Genre?
Genre (noun)
1: a kind of literary or artistic work
2: a style of expressing yourself in writing [syn: writing style, literary
genre]
3: a class of artistic endeavor having a characteristic form or
technique.”
Most successful authors write in only one genre. They meander out of that genre very seldom. Here are some simple genre examples. Maybe you’d like to write legal thrillers, like John Grisham. Some authors write mostly horror, Steven King, and Dean Koontz. Fredrick Pohl writes space sci-fi. And Alice Hoffman writes family drama—mostly. I could go on and on. The question is: Do you need to pick a genre to write in all of the time? Absolutely not. However, it’s worth considering.
I choose not to write in one genre; I love to explore. Meaning: I may wish to write a “family drama,” or a “coming of age” novel. The First Rains Of October is mixed genre “suspense and family drama.”
However, doesn’t this make it more difficult as a writer. Yes. Why? Publishers want to be able to plug you into a niche. Regardless, some rules are made to be broken, Jane Smiley (one of my favorites), and a Pulitzer Prize winner, writes in multiple genres.
So, how about your first novel. You should have an idea of what genre your novel will fit within. And if having understood that, certainly, you might wish to read about special kinds of styles and techniques that genre and those type of novels require—and more importantly, what readers expect when they read a book written in that genre. For example, detective novels and mysteries have very particular requirements, as does horror. If there is nothing scary about a horror novel and it’s a love story—you’re in trouble.
YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOUR NOVEL SHOULD BE ABOUT
Wait a minute. What if you have no idea what you want your novel to be about? That’s tough. Will it be character-driven? (All about the main character), or an ensemble of characters within a group. Is it going to be story-driven? (The story comes first and the characters fit within that framework.) Or, perhaps, it’s all about the location, which is how I formulated, Catching Baby Moses. It can all begin in your mind at a place you know well: What if something happened there?.
To conclude this first little essay, let’s remember this: A good “full-time” writer takes at the very minimum one year to complete a novel. If you are working a full-time job, you might figure two-three years. That’s a long time. Of course, some writers write a book a month and don’t care about the quality of their work. I’m sure you are not going to be one of them.
BE EXCITED
You should love your concept at some point; preferably before you begin, rather than later. I like to tell my close friends a little about my story first, to see if they seem excited about what I’m thinking of writing. Beyond that, the story should gel after a time, and you should feel exhilaration and excitement, and you just can’t wait to get back to it. If that is not happening for me within about a month, I begin to question my original concept. You can always shelve it and come back later. Careful though.
How do you make the final decision about your next book? It may take you one, two, or even three years of intense labor to complete, as it took me in writing Jonah In The Time Of The Kings.
IS IT SELLABLE?
Now, I’m going to ask you a question: Did Ken Follett believe that after writing all those detective novels, The Pillars of the Earth (the story centered on the building of cathedrals in the 12th century) was going to be his most successful book to date? And almost 1000 pages? I doubt it. What a marvelous work of imagination—and one of my favorites.
So here we go. You’ve set one year for your newest work: Therefore, how do we go about planning the novel? Are you a plotter, a designer, a character developer in advance, or do you just go for it? Inspiration is a many-faceted part of our inner selves. I’ve learned that each book requires a different approach. More on that next time. But here is the important point for me. What is the best way to get through a first draft? JUST GET THROUGH IT AS FAST AS YOU CAN! I dare say, if you are one of those irascible fellas or gals, who just have to have every word correct on the first run-through, then you are in the same league with Steinbeck. Learning to push ahead without correction, now that takes guts. And then to read it—unequivocally, that takes a stiff drink.
Good Writing!
Anthony Barbera
Here Is An Article About Plotting Or Not Plotting Your Novel.
READ ANTHONY’S HISTORICAL 5 STAR NOVEL JONAH IN THE TIME OF THE KINGS FOR FREE, IN ANY EBOOK FORMAT WHEN YOU JOIN ANTHONY’S READERS. (REMEMBER, A REVIEW IS AN AUTHOR’S BEST THANK YOU.
