In recent months, I have been asked many times how to take a book from concept to publication. In thinking about this, I realized that beyond the tips about pacing, plot, and characters, there are some absolute rules that must be followed to produce publishable work. Though these rules are few in number, they are essential.
The first rule of writing to to ... write. I know that sounds simple, but fully half of the people who say they want to be writers never actually write anything. They simply refuse to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard, as the case may be). For some reason, these people think that one day, they'll be writers.
If you want to be a writer, sit down and write. Sure you'll make mistakes, you'll have to revise or even rewrite eventually, but you need to get your thoughts down on paper. Don't worry about grammar, spelling, or format just yet. Those things will come later. Sit down, get started, and you'll be well on your way to writing your first novel.
There is much more to writing than simply putting pen to paper. If you are seeking to write your first novel, you've probably already figured that out. There are many tips that an aspiring writer would do well to follow, but nothing is more important to developing your skills as a writer than reading.
Creative writers can rarely get away with not reading. Reading the work of others, especially in a given genre (such as science fiction or literary fiction), exposes the writer to new possibilities. As a writer, you can learn what works and what doesn't and develop your own unique style simply through exposure to the writings of others.
Reading is also a fun and easy way to search for inspiration. This doesn't mean stealing work from another author. Plagiarism is unethical, and you'll eventually get caught. However, there is nothing wrong with discovering how other writers solve problems relating to plot and character development. These things might prove useful to you in your own writing.
There is yet another reason to read. Research. Yes, I said the 'R' word. As a creative writer, you are not exempt from reserach. Perhaps your main character is in a desert. You'll need information about deserts. I know I did when writing Arianna's Tale. Now that I'm working on Dragon's Tempest, I'm having to research sailing. Research makes for a more believable story.
Extensive reading will make you a better writer. So head to your local library or bookstore and get started.
On the surface, stories seem fairly straightforward. You take some characters, put them in a given situation, and take it from there. However, in my experience, creating a believable story, no matter the genre, is almost never this easy.
First, you do need to decide on characters. Not too many, just enough to get you started. When I was writing Arianna’s Tale, I started with just two — Arianna and Damuk. I created these characters independent of any story I was writing. I developed their personalities and background before I ever even thought of writing that first chapter.
From this information came the plot, the sequence of events that would introduce conflict into the story. Without conflict, the entire novel would have come to a halt. But it had to be believable conflict. Since Arianna’s Tale is a fantasy, I had some leeway here, but I still had to ensure that any conflict I introduced was consistent with the personality of the characters involved in said conflict.
Eventually, this conflict has to be resolved, at least to the point where you can end your story. In Arianna’s Tale, I resolved the conflict completely, but if you’re writing a series of stories, that doesn’t necessarily have to be the case.
Characters, plot, conflict, and resolution are the most basic elements of your story. Master these, and you’ll soon be writing your first novel.
Any novel that is set in the past is considered an historical novel. The historical fiction genre often overlaps with other genres. For example, it’s quite possible to write historical fiction that is also romantic, or adventure fiction that is set in an historical setting. Historical fiction can be one of the most entertaining genres and has nearly limitless options.
What Time Period Should I Use For My Historical Fiction Novel?
What era do you like? Really, you can use any time period at all. And you can set your novel anywhere in the world. There are no limits. You can write about cavemen, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, or even the Industrial Age. You can write a tale set in India, or perhaps Victorian England. You could devise a story that revolves around the Inca or the Mayan, giving your readers a glimpse into some truly exotic cultures. Perhaps you’ll decide to tackle western fiction. You can let your imagination take flight.
Sometimes there are so many choices that you, as a writer, may not be able to choose. In this case you might want to come up with your basic story first. You can then determine which time period and place best suits your plot.
The Rules of Historical Fiction
It can seem that with so much variety and so many available time periods that rules would not apply. However, quite the opposite is true. Historical fiction can be tricky, especially because very often you’ll have an audience that already has some knowledge of the era you’ve chosen.
The only way to keep your readers happy is to follow the rules of the era. And this means research. Once you have determined your era and location, you have to learn everything you can. Discover the intricacies of the location, perhaps even visiting your chosen locale, if it’s feasible. If you want your audience to stick with you until the very end, you’ll have to make sure your locations are real and believable.
Learn everything you can about the way people behaved in the era you’ve chosen. Try to determine correct language patterns, behavior, and dress. Make detailed notes and perhaps even try your hand at sketching your locations and people. Search for authentic details to bring your story to life.
Be careful of using real characters from history. While it’s great fun to try to capture the spirit of historical figures, it’s also far too easy to turn them into something that is far from historically accurate. If you do decide to include historical figures, keep their roles in your stories to a minimum. Your readers will appreciate it.
Historical fiction should be fun and exciting. Choose an engaging plot, intertwine it with historical facts and figures, and get creative. Before you know it, you’ll have mastered the basics of writing fiction and have at least started writing your first book.
