One of the newer ‘genres’ is the literary fiction book. This type of book is often difficult to define, and books written in this style usually fall into another category as well. In addition, this style can be difficult to master, and only those who truly wish to write one of these novels should even attempt it.
What is Literary Fiction?
Literary fiction wasn’t really defined as a genre until the 1970s. At this point, literary fiction was said to be fiction that had literary merit. This definition still exists, but it can be difficult to understand. At its most basic, literary fiction focuses on character, style, and psychological depth. Plot may or may not be important. On the other hand, mainstream fiction is driven by plot or narrative.
This definition leaves much room for interpretation, and literary fiction is a rather subjective genre, if it can be called a genre at all. Literary fiction is the type of fiction that often wins literary awards, so if you are confused as to what qualifies as literary fiction, take a look at some past winners of these awards.
One thing all literary fiction has in common is the focus on human nature. These books might also be classified as fantasy, science fiction, or mystery, but they will also speak strongly to society. For example, one of the most famous of literary writers, Charles Dickens, described how dark society could be. His book weren’t always fun, and they didn’t necessarily entertain, but they did address aspects of human nature. Therefore, they are literary fiction.
Should You Write Literary Fiction?
This is a difficult question to answer. Perhaps, yes, you could write a literary fiction book. But that doesn’t mean you should. First evaluate your interest in the genre. Do you enjoy reading literary classics? Do you find authors such as Charles Dickens, Alexander Dumas, or Roald Dahl engaging enough to read an entire book written in that style? If the answer is ‘no’ then you should probably readdress your desire to write literary fiction. Either that, or be continually faced with writer’s block.
If you truly have a burning desire to create a great work of literary fiction, then do so. But you have to want it, or your book will fall far short of a literary classic. Though this type of fiction may seem challenging, remember that it can also be liberating. When writing literary fiction, you are free to incorporate other genres as well. Perhaps you’ll write a romance that is also literary fiction, or even a western. You never know until you try.
Science fiction is fiction based on imagined future scientific or technological advances. This genre could also include major social or environmental changes, and frequently involves space or time travel, and sometimes life on other planets.
Science fiction is a popular and entertaining genre, but it is one that presents its own unique challenges. If you’re considering writing a science fiction book, make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into.
The Worlds of Science Fiction
Science fiction, like fantasy, usually requires the creation of its own world. This world may resemble our world, or it might be radically different. It might take place in the future, or even in an alternate reality. Regardless of when or where your novel takes place, your world has to make sense. It has to be believable, or your readers will abandon you.
You have to be careful with your science fiction world. If it looks too much like our world, your book will strike your audience as more of a fantasy novel. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but if your goal is to write a science fiction book, you’ll need to pay particular attention to the world you create.
Some research into the fields of astronomy or biology will not be wasted. Check your facts, and don’t break the rules. Bend them as far as you can, but keep everything plausible. You don’t want to get too far from reality, or your audience will trade you in for the nearest comic book.
The Creatures of Science Fiction
The creatures you create must be realistic and plausible, just like the world they inhabit. The plants and animals that you come up with must have some basis in scientific fact, at least on some level, or your readers will go elsewhere for their science fiction.
If you really need inspiration, look to the ocean. We have some spectacular creatures right here on our own planet, hidden in the depths of the sea. Some of them would make wonderful additions to a science fiction world. Just be sure they fit into the reality you are creating.
Make Your Story Believable
Science fiction can be a tricky thing. The true science fiction fan just isn’t easy to fool. They know too much, they’ve read too much, and they expect a lot from you, as an author. They need a complex and engaging plot, and you’ll need to grab them with facts and details.
Before you put pen to paper, research everything. Make sure that every piece of science that you address in your book is rooted in fact. Pour over scientific texts and be up to date on the most recent research. Write a book that can draw in those people who have a PhD in physics, chemistry, or biology. If you can do that, you’ve got your winner.
Science fiction is not always an easy genre to write. It can provide challenges you haven’t even thought of yet. And if it’s your first book, then you’ll face even greater difficulties as you try to find your way. But if you master the basics of writing fiction, avoid common mistakes, and trust in your story, you’ll eventually be left with a rich and believable novel.
So, you’ve come up with an engaging plot, you understand all the basics, and you’ve read every hint and tip for aspiring writers you can get your hands on. You finally feel that you’re ready to get started on your masterpiece. What next? How, exactly, do you approach that first novel? How do you tackle that blank piece of paper in front of you? The answers to these questions are easier than you might think. Take a deep breath and get ready to write your first book.
Putting Together the Pieces of Your Novel
A project as large as a novel can seem intimidating. And it’s almost impossible to really tackle something that you see as intimidating. So, break down your novel into smaller pieces.
Start with your cast of characters. You’ll need to know your own characters before you begin writing. Tackle one character at a time. Develop him or her enough to start your book. You’ll want to draw up a profile, as complete as possible. Describe his (or her) past, address specific character flaws or strengths, and don’t forget to describe what he or she looks like. Do this for each of your main characters, including your villain.
You’ve probably already thought of your main plot, but take some time to address to specifics. Do this by breaking your plot into sections. How does your story start? Think about setting, characters, and don’t forget about conflict. You need to introduce some type of conflict early on, so think about how you’ll do that.
What will the climax of your plot look like? You’ll need to know how your characters can get to that climax. You’ll also need to decide how that climax will be resolved. It’s usually a good idea to have the end of your book in your mind. That way, you’ll be able to slowly guide your characters toward that end.
Setting Goals for Your Novel
A novel does not write itself. You’ll need to sit down and commit your story to paper. It’s best if you write every day, no exceptions, and you should commit yourself to writing a minimum of a half-hour at a time. Any less than this and it’s difficult to get anything accomplished.
If you can write more than that, then great. But be realistic. Don’t expect that you’ll work on your novel for six hours every day. It simply will not happen. Set a goal that you can stick to. If you set a goal that you will not be able to meet, you’ll soon find yourself discouraged and not writing at all. And if that happens … no book.
Finishing Your Novel
Did you really think that writing the novel was the end to it? It’s not. Personally, I don’t know anyone who writes a novel that’s ready to be published with the first draft. It takes time and effort to polish your manuscript.
Once you’ve finished that first draft, let it sit a while. At least a week, preferably. Once you’ve allowed the dust to settle, pick it up again. Read it over, or perhaps have a trusted friend or family member read it over for you. What didn’t make sense about that first draft? Go back and correct those elements of plot that need a little polishing. And don’t forget to check your spelling and grammar. No one is perfect, and we all make mistakes.
Now let the novel sit again. At least a week, as before. Then go back and check it again; you’ll almost certainly find something worth fixing. Writing a novel is no small task, and it isn’t an exaggeration to say that polishing a manuscript takes longer than writing it ever will. Only when you’ve revised your work at least twice are you ready to consider publication.
Writing your first novel is a lot of work. You’ll agonize over your characters, frustrate yourself with a convoluted plot, and inevitably encounter the dreaded writer’s block. But your finished product will be well worth the effort.
And what do you do after you’ve finished that first novel? Get started on the second one, of course.
Without a plot, a novel just isn’t a novel. Something has to happen that will engage the readers and keep their attention, or a novel isn’t worth the paper it’s written on. In order to create an engaging plot, there are some elements that must not be overlooked.
Start the Story With Action
Start your story with some point of action or suspense. Your audience wants to be immersed into your novel within the first page, so get on with the story. There will be time later to provide your readers with all the background information they could possibly want. For now, get the attention of your readers by jumping right into the action.
Where are the Main Characters?
If you want a book that grabs the attention of your readers and doesn’t let them go, then you have to introduce your main characters. Within the first page or two, you’ll need to have at least one of your main characters make an appearance. You might have certain characters who, of necessity, do not make an appearance until later in the book, but you can’t start your book without at least one of them.
If you want to take a bit of a risk, try introducing your antagonist first. The hero can come later. However, if you’re going to do this, you’ll need to really hook your audience with suspense. Give them a reason to keep reading, to meet the hero (or heroes), or they’ll toss your book out the window.
Every Character in a Novel Needs a Motive
Like real people, the characters in your story shouldn’t do anything without a reason. If your hero goes to an inn and discovers a crucial piece of information, he’d better have a good reason for going to that inn. Even if that reason is as benign as needing a place to stay for the night. Just make sure he didn’t travel ten miles out of his way with no real motive. At least let him meet up with an old friend, or something along those lines. Your characters have to have believable motives, or your audience just won’t buy it.
Keep the Action Moving in Every Chapter
Your book started with a wonderful hook and now … somewhere along the way, you lost it. You started meandering, and while you eventually wrapped up your plot (along with the subplots you so carefully crafted), it’s taken so long and had so many boring bits that your readers became lost and confused. If you want to keep your readers, you need to keep the action going.
Reexamine your entire story. Do you have chapters, maybe several in a row, where nothing really happens? Bits of text that do absolutely nothing to advance your plot? Get rid of them. Don’t worry if it shortens your novel. I’d rather read a story of a mere 80,000 words that was cohesive and entertaining than one twice as long that seemed to forget the point halfway through.
Keep your plot moving forward, avoid common mistakes, and be aware of the basics of writing fiction, and you will find that your story slowly comes together. Write what you love, and soon you will have an end product that your readers will thank you for.
Writing fiction is not like any other kind of writing. Novels are not written to convey information, but rather to tell a story. A novel is written for an audience, and its job is to capture the attention of that audience. While accomplishing this is every writer’s primary task, there are some mistakes that new and overzealous writers are prone to making.
Leaving Out Information When Writing Fiction
Fiction writers leave out information. It’s just the way of writing novels. This is usually done to keep the reader interested. However, there is some information that should never be omitted, but sometimes crucial information ends up forgotten in the rush to create a good story.
As a writer, it is important that your readers have some basic information at all times. You need to tell your readers where you are. If your character is standing in the middle of a field, you need to make sure your audience knows. And when he or she leaves that field, you cannot simply assume that your readers will pick up on that. You have to make settings and transitions very clear in your novel.
A writer will often forget to indicate the passage of time, or assume that the audience just knows. Does the next scene happen a day later? A week later? You need to tell your audience when you are, unless withholding that information serves a specific purpose.
Coincidence is Not Believable in Fiction
Readers love fiction, but they’re not easy to fool. And most readers will not accept the idea of coincidence. You might need something to happen to advance your story, but if it doesn’t make sense, your readers will put down your book and go find another, one with an engaging plot that makes sense. Every piece of your story needs to fit together to form a cohesive whole.
If your main character is backed into a corner, you’d better find a reasonable way to get him or her out of that situation. If you have a hero who’s now locked in a cage, he’s probably not going to discover the key in his pocket. Or if he does, there’d better be a very good reason why. If he suddenly and unexpectedly ‘finds’ the key in his pocket, your readers will be confused and annoyed.
Don’t Talk Down to Your Readers
Sometimes, for a variety of reasons, a writer will suddenly start talking down to readers. This is most common when writing for younger readers. Don’t make this one of your mistakes. Your readers are not idiots, and treating them as such will only offend them. Write your story in a way that conveys your message and communicates your own passion. You don’t have to dilute your story, or dress it up, for your readers.
Write with your readers in mind. If this means that sometimes you have to go back and change something, or add a bit of information that you were hoping to withhold, then so be it. Keep the basics of fiction writing upmost in your mind, and be aware of hints and tips for aspiring writers.
Thinking first of your audience and what they need from your story is the first step in avoiding common mistakes when writing a novel. With that in mind, it's time to start writing that first novel.
Writing a novel is a dream for many people, and it may very well be yours. However, before you can begin writing your novel, there are some decisions that have to be made. These decisions, whether made consciously or not, are the very basics of fiction writing.
The Structure of a Novel
The structure of a novel is important and can include many things. The length of a work is a part of that structure. Your own work may be a novel-length book, it may be a shorter novella, or it could be a short story. You should consider your story before you start writing. When it’s finished, will it be a novel? If not, and your goal is to write a novel, you may have to rethink or expand your story.
Structure also refers to the form your novel takes. A typical novel is full of paragraphs, chapters and descriptive writing. However, some ‘novels’ are really written in the form of a diary or journal. I’ve even read a story that was only a series of letters exchanged by two different characters. If a certain form fits your story, feel free to use it.
The Plot of a Novel
Plot is essential to all novels. Something has to happen, or you’re just writing with no real point or end in sight. Creating an engaging plot will keep your readers coming back for more. Take some time to develop your basic plot and the conflicts that make up that plot. Sure, things can change over the course of the novel, and your plot may alter dramatically, but you need somewhere to start.
The Setting of a Novel
The setting of your novel must work for your story. It should somehow match the mood and pacing of your plot, and your characters need to fit in this setting. These things remain true whether your setting is a single room, the entire planet, or some fantastical world you’ve invented. Your setting needs to be consistent and make sense to your audience.
The Characters of a Novel
Without at least a character or two, there’s no story. Characters and plot are the two backbones of any novel, so neither one can be ignored. However, there is such a thing as too many characters. A novel isn’t a movie, so keep your cast limited to those people you need, and send the extras home. You don’t want to confuse your audience.
Your audience needs insight into these characters. The people in your story need to have depth and a past, and your readers must be able to relate to at least one of your many characters. If you want your readers to love a character, you’ll have to make that character loveable. If you want them to hate a character, try to make that character truly detestable.
The Point of View of a Novel
The point of view from which you tell your story will drastically affect how it’s told, and how it is understood by your readers. Each point of view has its own advantages, but also comes with its own challenges. You should choose the point of view that best suits your story.
A story written from the first person point of view is told through a single character, using the pronoun ‘I’ quite frequently. Your audience will know what that character is thinking, feeling, and experiencing. However, they will know nothing that the character doesn’t know. This point of view can draw the individual into the story quickly and easily.
Second person, utilizing the pronoun ‘you’ with great frequency, is used very rarely when writing a novel. Using this form when crafting your story may confuse your readers, simply because they are not used to it. However, if you feel that your story needs the second person to be told effectively, and you think you can manage it, feel free to experiment with this point of view.
Third person is the most common point of view when writing a novel. It is highly versatile and effective for telling most stories. From this point of view, your readers can be exposed to the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of any character in the book. This allows you, as a writer, to fully develop and explore individual characters, and to expand side plots that do not necessarily involve your main character directly.
Once you grasp the fundamentals, you can begin to write your masterpiece. Take your time, absorb any hints or tips for aspiring writers, and allow your story to develop. With time and perseverance, you will master the basics of writing a novel.
Writing a paragraph should be a simple thing. You follow all the rules taught to you in school, and you have a well-rounded and sensible paragraph. However, when writing fiction, the rules can be bent, sometimes even broken. When it comes to writing a novel or any creative work, the paragraph becomes more than just a part of the work. It becomes a tool.
Use Each Paragraph to Convey a Message
The format for creative writing is not the same as for non-fiction. Paragraphs may be chopped up according to the pace of your plot. Characters talk in sentence fragments, and even run-on sentences. Occasionally, a paragraph, at least in a work of fiction, will be a single word.
When writing fiction, each paragraph must convey a message or idea. This idea should be presented as clearly as possible, and the following paragraph should convey either a related idea or a transition to a new idea. If a paragraph can do that for the reader in a word or a sentence, then it’s said all it needs to say.
Dialogue and Creative Writing
Most non-fiction writing doesn’t need a lot of dialogue. In fiction, and especially in novels, dialogue is often integral to the story and a necessary part of writing. There may be exchanges of dialogue between characters, or a single character who is speaking over several paragraphs. In between, you might have short descriptive paragraphs, or maybe even a break in the conversation, but the main focus will be dialogue.
Typically, a new paragraph is begun each time a new character speaks, even if this makes for a paragraph of a single sentence or word. It’s not a good idea to have huge blocks of text, so you’ll sometimes have to start a new paragraph when a single character has been speaking for too long. I generally don’t like to have a paragraph that’s longer than twelve sentences, but this is a personal choice.
The Structure of a Paragraph
In grade school, most of us are taught that a paragraph must have a beginning, middle, and end. This is generally interpreted to mean that all paragraphs must have three sentences, at the very minimum. In creative writing, at the very least, this is just not the case.
Read your paragraphs carefully. If a paragraph conveys its meaning and idea, then the structure of the paragraph is probably just fine for your novel. You’re not writing a technical guide or a how-to book, so don’t be too concerned with paragraph structure. If your novel flows better with several tiny paragraphs, then feel free to get creative.
There are many hints and tips for writing a novel. Sometimes, it is necessary to break the rules of grammar or ignore how you were taught to structure a paragraph to properly convey your message. Creative writing is just that, so look at the rules as guidelines instead.
All novels have plots. Some are complex, some very simple, but every story you read has a plot of some kind. However, creating a plot for a novel is not simply the recounting of sequential events. To write a story with an engaging plot, you must be creative, descriptive, and decide what, exactly, needs to be a part of your plotline.
Don’t Tell the Same Old Story
As a reader, nothing annoys me more than going to the bookstore and finding three apparently different books with the same basic plotline lined up next to each other. Sure, the details are different, and there might be some twists that aren’t identical, but the stories are so similar, it just doesn’t make sense to spend my hard-earned money on all three. One is enough.
As a writer, I just don’t see the point of writing a book that’s essentially a carbon copy of something else that’s already out there. Taking someone else’s storyline and trying to manipulate it to come up with something semi-creative is just ridiculous. Instead, I try to sit down and come up with a story that I feel is at least a little unique.
If you don’t want to bore your readers, go to your local bookstore, check out what kinds of books are being written, and deliberately write something else. The same old story will only turn off any readers you’re hoping to attract.
Manipulate Your Plot for a More Creative Story
One thing that irritates me as a reader is a plot that just plods along. I want more out of a story than a simple list of events. I want something engaging, something that draws me in, and certainly something unexpected.
As a writer, accomplishing this is my primary task. There are several ways to manipulate your basic plot and keep your readers interested. While not all of these need to be used in a single novel, they should at least be considered as ways of enhancing your plot. Some of these techniques are:
- Try telling events out of order. Waiting before you fill in the gaps can keep readers curious.
- Pick the events that truly help to move your plot forward, and focus on those. Having too many "extras" can detract from the telling of your central story.
- Leave out a crucial detail and let your readers try to puzzle it out. This will keep your readers guessing, and hopefully keep them interested.
Do I Need a Plot Outline?
The answer to this question is "maybe." For some writers, such as myself, letting a plot flow naturally results in a better product. If you do choose to forgo an outline, just let your creativity take over. It’s a good idea to have a pad of paper beside you where you can jot down ideas that don’t fit into your current plotline. You might be able to use them in a different novel.
This method of writing can lead to some wonderfully creative and rich plots. However, the downside is that if you encounter the dreaded writer’s block, it can be difficult to find your focus again.
On the other hand, outlines are helpful to stay on track and get your characters from point A to point B. You can keep your focus on the main elements of your story, developing it to its fullest extent. Having a prepared outline, whether sketchy or full of details, can also help you to get through writer’s block, since you already know where your characters are heading.
While this method of writing is a little more orderly than working without an outline, for some writers, it can feel a little like writing while on a leash.
Knowing What to Leave Out
Sometimes, the most difficult part of any plot is deciding which information is not really necessary. It’s quite easy to end up with several chapters worth of information that isn’t really related to the plot. This can really hurt a novel.
As an example, if your main character takes a drive to a different state, meets some interesting people, has tea with a lady he’ll never see again, and returns home, all without anything happening that matters to the plot, you’ve probably just wasted paper. If, on the other hand, he discovers an important clue while on his little road trip, then perhaps his little journey, or at least a part of it, does belong in the story.
The point here is to eliminate anything that’s completely useless. Your readers probably don’t care about irrelevant details. They want substance, plot, and something engaging. If a piece of information isn’t any of these things, it can probably be ignored.
What you write about is up to you. Your plot, characters, and genre are up to you. However, if you want a novel that will grab the interest of your readers and keep them captive, try to keep your plot creatively moving forward. Keep in mind the above tips and the essential elements of plot, and always believe in your own story.
If you can do this, then getting started in the world of creative writing becomes just a little easier.
