A novel is a complex work of fiction in the form of prose. The best novels describe reality but transcend it, allowing readers to find truth and humanity in completely made-up worlds. No matter what kind of novel you wish to write - literary or commercial, love or science fiction, war or family life drama - you will still need unlimited creative energy, as well as an unwavering commitment to write the novel and review it.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Creating an Imaginary World
Step 1. Look for inspiration
Writing a novel is a creative process, and you don't know when a good idea will come to mind. Always carry a notebook and a pen with you, so that you can jot down the ideas that come to your mind from time to time. You may find inspiration suddenly, thanks to something you've just seen or heard, perhaps daydreaming in a coffee shop. You can't know when it will arrive, so keep your eyes and ears open wherever you go.
- Don't wait for inspiration to find you. Writing is like digestion - if you don't eat, you have nothing to process. For example, do you know when you suddenly have an idea out of nowhere, while you are doing something that has absolutely nothing to do with the idea itself? It happens when you observe something, you let it be stored in your subconscious (the place where it is processed) … and at a certain point the famous light bulb lights up. In some cases, these are the best resources for getting ideas - the spontaneity of these ideas can really help you develop irony and exciting twists in your story.
- To be a writer, you need to be constantly inspired. Sometimes, it can be really hard to find interesting ideas to write about. All writers face this problem, and inspiration is the most effective cure.
- It doesn't have to be a book - it can be a TV show, a movie, or even the trip to a show or art exhibition. Inspiration comes in the most disparate forms.
- Use the notebook to write snippets, perhaps entire paragraphs or just a few sentences that could become a complete story.
- Think of all the stories that have been recommended to you - tales handed down by your great-grandmother, an incident that hit you in the news, or even a ghost story that stuck with you as a child.
- Think back to a moment from your childhood or the past that particularly impressed you. It could be the mysterious death of a woman from your hometown, your old neighbor's obsession with ferrets, or a trip to London that has stuck in your memories.
- Many argue that you should write what you know. Others believe instead that one should write "what is not known about what is known". Think about something in your life that inspired, worried, or involved you - how could you explore this topic more deeply in a novel?
Step 2. Decide on the gender
Not all texts can be placed in specific categories, but it is useful to reflect on the genre you intend to deal with and the audience you are targeting. Read all the main works of the chosen genre to fully understand the standards and understand how to proceed; then, you can choose whether to stick to the rules or break them. If you haven't decided which genre to choose yet, or if you're moving across multiple genres at the same time, that's not a problem - it's more important to know which literary tradition to draw inspiration from than to slavishly adhere to a specific genre or category. Consider the following options:
- Literary novels are designed to be works of art that encompass deep themes, symbolism and complex literary tools. In that case, it may be useful to read the great classics.
- Commercial novels are born to entertain the general public and sell many copies. They are divided into numerous genres, including: science fiction, mystery, thriller, fantasy, love, historical and many others. Many of these texts follow predictable rules and are divided into several volumes.
- There are many novels that blend the characteristics of the literary genre with those of more commercial texts. Many science fiction, fantasy and thriller writers create complex and meaningful novels that can compete with so-called "classics". If a book doesn't sell many copies, it doesn't mean it's not a masterpiece.
- Whichever genre you choose, you should read a large number of novels of the same type, unless you have already done so. This way you will have a stronger bond with the authors who have preceded you - and you can choose what to add or what to reject from a certain category of works.
- Part of the research work consists in reading other novels of the same genre. For example, if you are writing a novel set in World War II, told from the point of view of a Frenchman, read other novels on this topic. How will your novel differ from others?
Step 3. Choose the setting
Once you've established the genre (or genres) to inspire you, start thinking about the novel's setting. This goes beyond the city the characters live in - you can imagine a whole universe! The setting not only determines the mood and tone of the novel, it also affects the problems the characters will face. Think about the following issues as you set out to create the setting:
- Will it only be based on places that are familiar to you in real life?
- Will it take place in the present or in another era?
- Will it take place on Earth or in an imaginary world?
- Will the action be concentrated in a single city, in a single neighborhood, or in many different places?
- What kind of society will the story take place in?
- How is it structured on a social and governmental level?
- Will the story unfold over the course of a month, a year, or a decade?
- Will it be a dark and gloomy world, or will it inspire optimism?
Step 4. Create the characters
The most important character of the novel will be the protagonist, who must possess recognizable characteristics and a well-defined personality. The protagonists don't have to be nice, but generally they have to be interesting, so that the reader becomes passionate about his story. One of the joys of reading is to identify with a character, experiencing an adventure with him.
- The protagonist and the other characters don't have to be nice, but they have to be interesting nonetheless. Take for example Humbert from the novel "Lolita", a character as reprehensible as he is fascinating.
- There doesn't have to be just a single protagonist. You can use multiple characters that engage the reader, and you can also indulge yourself by telling the story from different points of view.
- Your world must also be populated by other characters. Imagine who will interact with the protagonist, who will play the role of friend and who will be the antagonist.
- You don't necessarily have to decide which characters will enter your story before you even begin. As you write, you may find that the real protagonist is actually a minor character, or you may create new characters where you would not have expected.
- Many novelists imagine characters as real people, wondering what they would do under certain circumstances and the answer must be consistent with the character's personality. Obviously, you have to develop a well-rounded personality, so that it is easier to determine a reaction based on the different situations of the fictional world of the novel.
Step 5. View the texture
Many novels, regardless of genre, contain some kind of conflict. The tension rises to climax, after which the resolution of the problem follows. This does not mean that there is always a happy ending; it's all about providing the right motivation to justify the character's actions, creating a realistic motive for the change that will take place throughout the novel.
- There is no predefined plot formula for a perfect novel. Although a traditional approach involves a crescendo rhythm (which helps to give tension to the story), a conflict (critical episode of the novel) and a solution (the result of the critical phase), this is not the only path that can be followed..
- You could start with the conflict and work backwards to explain its importance. For example, a girl is returning home for her father's funeral, but the reader does not know that at any moment this will lead to a conflict.
- Your novel does not have to permanently resolve the conflict. It will be okay to leave some issues unresolved.
- Your novel doesn't have to be linear. It can start in the present and go back or jump forward between past and present, or it can start in the past and jump 20 years - do whatever you think will work to tell your story.
- Read your favorite novels and follow the story path. Analyze how the novel is structured. If the novel doesn't have a linear structure it will be more interesting.
Step 6. Adopt your own point of view
Novels are generally written in the first or third person, although sometimes they can also be written in the second person, or in a combination of several different perspectives. The first person is the "narrator I" represented from the point of view of a character; the second person, used less frequently, addresses readers with "you" or "you" and tells the reader what he is doing, the third person describes a character or series of characters from an external perspective.
- You don't have to decide what your point of view will be before writing the first sentence. In fact, you might as well write the first chapter - or the entire draft of the novel - before you have a clearer idea of which is the best choice between first and third person.
- There is no hard and fast rule as to which point of view works best for a certain type of novel. However, if you are writing a novel with a wide range of characters, the third person can help you manage all of these characters that populate your novel.
Step 7. Consider starting from scratch
While it's a good idea to start with a genre, plot, characters, and setting in mind, don't get bogged down in these details. You can be inspired by something simple - a historical moment, an excerpt from a conversation you overheard in the supermarket, or the fairy tale your grandmother told you. This may be enough to start writing and creating something from what you already know.
If you're too busy with detail before you've even written a draft, you may end up repressing your creativity
Part 2 of 3: Writing the Novel
Step 1. Prepare an outline to follow
Each novelist has a different method of writing. An outline is a great way to map out ideas and set small goals to achieve over time, which will then lead you to the completion of the novel. If, on the other hand, you start writing without having set all the details, or some of them, then you could let yourself be carried away by inspiration and write everything you want until you focus on something you really like.
- The scheme does not have to be linear. You can roughly describe a character's journey, or use some sort of Venn diagram to show how different characters' stories overlap.
- Having conceived the reference scheme, do not follow it slavishly. You just need it to kickstart the writing process with a visual representation of the story. Certainly, in the course of writing, it will be necessary to change something.
- Sometimes an outline can really be "more" useful, after completing a draft or two of the novel. It can help you understand the structure of your novel and understand what works and what doesn't.
Step 2. Find a writing pace that suits your style
To complete the first draft, you will need to find the time and space to achieve your writing goals. You can write at the same time every morning or afternoon, write in bursts throughout the day, or at long intervals three days a week. Whatever your routine, you can't just write when you're feeling inspired - that's just a myth to dispel. You need to see writing as a real job and stick to a well-defined schedule, whether you feel like writing or not.
- Set up a writing space that allows you to follow your schedule. Find a comfortable place where you can relax and where there are no distractions. Get a comfortable chair that won't hurt your back after hours and hours at your desk. A book is not written in an hour: it will take months of hard work, so take care of your back.
- Your work schedule must also include eating and drinking times before and during the writing hours. Does coffee make you more alert and conscious or too agitated? Does a big breakfast provide you with the energy you need or does it make you weighed down and apathetic?
Step 3. Do some research
The amount of time you will have to devote to research depends on the type of novel you are going to write. To write a historical novel set during the War of Independence, you will have to do a lot more research than if you have to write a teenage novel based on your experiences from your high school years. Also, whatever novel you are writing, you will need to do some research to make sure what is being narrated is accurate and believable.
- Make use of the local library. In the library you will not only find all the information you need, but also a perfect place to write undisturbed.
- Conduct interviews. If you are unsure about a topic, find someone who has in-depth knowledge of the topic to ask all the relevant questions.
- Research can also influence both the purpose and the content of the novel. By discovering new things about the reference period or the topic you write about, you can learn about details that are absolutely fascinating - and that can change the direction of your novel.
Step 4. Write the first draft
When you feel ready, sit down and start writing the draft of the novel. Don't dwell too much on the perfection of language - only you will read this first draft. Write without judging yourself. The first draft of a novel doesn't have to be spectacular - it just has to be done. Let go. The most rudimentary parts of the novel may end up being the most beautiful in later drafts.
- Make a commitment to write every day. You have to be aware of the business. Many magnificent writers remain in the shadows because they fail to complete their works
- Set small goals, such as finishing a chapter, a few pages, or a set number of words each day, so that you always feel motivated.
- You can also set yourself long-term goals - let's say you're determined to finish the first draft of the novel in a year or even six months. Set a "finish date" and stick to it.
Part 3 of 3: The Review Process
Step 1. Write as many drafts of the novel as needed
You may be lucky and only need three drafts to get the final one. Or you may have to write 20 before the novel appears credible. The most important thing is to be patient and realize when the work seems finished and ready to be shared with others - if you do it too soon, you will be mortifying your creativity. Once you feel you have written enough drafts and feel ready to take the next step, you can move on to the review stage.
- When Ernest Hemingway was asked what was the hardest part of writing the ending of "A Farewell to Arms" (after rewriting it thirty-nine times), his famous answer was "finding the right words".
- After writing the first draft, take a break for a few weeks, or even a few months, and try to read it as if you were one of your readers. Are there any parts that need to be explored? Are other parts too long or boring?
- A good rule of thumb is that if you happen to want to skip parts of the novel, so will the readers. What can you do to make it more engaging? Could you cut or revise these redundant parts?
- Each new draft, or revision, can focus on one aspect or multiple aspects of the novel. For example, you can write an entire draft trying to make the narrator more interesting, another draft by perfecting the setting, and a third draft to delve into the story of the novel.
- Repeat this process over and over until you have a draft you can be proud of. It may take months or years to succeed; be patient.
Step 2. Do the review yourself
Once you have managed to write a credible draft of your novel, you can begin the work of proofreading. You can focus now on cutting out the paragraphs and sentences that don't work, you can get rid of the unhappy expressions, or just make your prose smoother. You don't have to revise every single sentence after the first draft - many words will change over the course of each draft anyway.
- Print the novel and read it aloud. Cut or review anything that doesn't sound right.
- Do not be too rigid about what is written, for example a particular paragraph that does not serve to develop the story. Test yourself and make up your mind. You can always use that paragraph in a different context.
Step 3. Show your work to other people
Start by showing your writing to someone you trust so you can get used to the idea of other people reading your work. Since it's not always easy to get honest judgment from people who love you and are attentive to your feelings, consider hearing outside opinions in one or more of the following ways:
- Sign up for a writing class. Your city's universities are a great place to look for creative writing courses. You will be able to review other people's writings and receive feedback on yours.
- Start a writing group. If you know other people who write novels, arrange to meet once a month to share your progress and ask for advice.
- Accept advice with caution. If someone tells you a chapter isn't working, get a second opinion before deciding to remove it from the manuscript.
- If you're really planning on finishing the novel, you may want to consider enrolling in a creative writing program. These programs offer a supportive environment for sharing work with others. Additionally, they can motivate you by setting deadlines for completing the job.
Step 4. Consider publishing the novel
Many aspiring writers see their work as an experience that will help them write better in the future; however, if you are very confident and want to try to propose it to a publishing house, there are various avenues that you can take. You can choose to try to publish it with a traditional publisher, one online, or publish it yourself.
- If you take the traditional route, it will help to find a literary agent to sell your book to publishing houses. You will be asked to fill out an application, and a summary of your manuscript.
- The "in-house" publishing companies offer services of different qualities. Before choosing one, ask for some examples to check the quality of the paper and printing.
- If you're not going to publish the book, that's not a problem. Be proud of the work done and move on to a new creative project.
Advice
- Also remember to make sure that characters have similar but different opinions from yours, and do the same with character traits.
- Make sure you research and learn everything you can about the novel's setting (such as the culture, places, period, etc.).
- Just because you like your story doesn't mean that others will like it too. Wait for at least three to four trusted friends to read it before sending it to a publishing house. Also remember to register your copyrights even before it's finished.
- Read many books (especially those of the same genre or somehow related to your own) before, during, and after writing a novel. It will help you in several ways.
- Write on anything. Follow your heart and don't let doubts and worries stop you.
- Make the characters believable. Make them seem real.
- When writing, always have a dictionary of Italian and one of the synonyms and antonyms at hand.
- As writer Cyril Connolly said, "Better to write for yourself and not have an audience than to write for the public and not have yourself". Write your story in the way that suits you best. There is a market for every genre and there will always be someone willing to read your novel if it is well written and interesting.
- If you have a habit of always putting it off, try NaNoWriMo: write 50,000 words in a month to finish your novel. Writers tend to work better when there is a deadline to meet, they feel more motivated.
- Write at least one page a day, even if you don't feel very inspired.
- Sometimes perfect characters are created, who lack nothing but a nice name. It may be helpful to purchase a book of names (which also includes meanings) to refer to as you write the novel. There are also online name generators.
- Avoid using too many clichés or clichés. Occasionally it might be okay, but if you overdo it, your style will appear flat and not very creative.
