| The process of writing a novel can seem so | | | | name and decide on their gender and age; that will |
| overwhelming and confusing at times. When | | | | be enough to help you begin imagining who they |
| you’re writing fiction novels, there are so | | | | are. You want to conform to the expectation of |
| many elements that you must keep track of and | | | | the genre you’re writing within; for example, |
| fit together seamlessly: developing your | | | | for a children’s book, you will want the main |
| characters, writing dialog between them, devising | | | | character to be a child. |
| the plot and various subplots, juggling multiple | | | | Step 3: Here Comes the Crisis |
| points of view, and the list goes on. The best | | | | Early on in your novel, your Lead will be |
| way to find your way through this creative | | | | confronted by a huge crisis that turns their world |
| process is to start with a powerful, compelling | | | | upside down and begins the forward momentum |
| idea that inspires you. Everything else will flow | | | | of the story. Evan Marshall, a published author |
| from that overarching idea so it’s important | | | | and literary agent, has developed some guidelines |
| that you do it right. | | | | for this crisis that are very helpful: |
| How To Begin | | | | - The crisis should fit the genre you’re |
| In this article, I’m going to show you four | | | | working within |
| simple steps that will help you come up with a | | | | - It should seriously disrupt your Lead’s life |
| great novel idea. When it comes to writing a | | | | - It should be compelling and interesting to you as |
| novel, getting started is the hardest part, in my | | | | the writer |
| opinion. Once you have a novel idea that inspires | | | | |
| you and you have a good feeling for where you | | | | Step 4: Setting the Overarching Goal |
| are headed, everything else will tend to just fall | | | | Because of this crisis, your Lead is forced to take |
| into place. | | | | action in response. They must decide to address |
| Step 1: Deciding on What You Will Write | | | | this problem and set a goal to solve it. This goal |
| You have so many options when it comes to | | | | will carry them through your novel and will not be |
| choosing what you’ll write. It can be | | | | achieved until the end. |
| overwhelming to try and narrow things down at | | | | Marshall recommends that novelists adhere |
| this initial stage. However, here’s a simple | | | | to the following four criteria to create a goal that |
| rule that will make the decision a lot easier for | | | | is powerful enough to hook your readers into |
| you: you should write what you love to read. | | | | wanting to see how it all turns out. From his |
| Here’s why: | | | | perspective, your Lead’s goal should be about: |
| 1. Because you are so familiar with this genre or | | | | - Reaching for something that your Lead really |
| style of writing, you’ve got an advantage | | | | wants or getting relief from some situation that |
| over other writers who are not. From your | | | | they really don’t want to experience. |
| reading, you have naturally picked up a good | | | | - The stakes must be high, i.e. the consequences |
| feeling for how this genre should be written: the | | | | for failure must be terrible. |
| plot, the Lead, the crisis, the resolution, etc. | | | | - Your Lead’s intentions must be admirable |
| 2. Because you love reading this kind of novel, | | | | and positive so your readers will really like them. |
| you are going to love writing this kind of novel. | | | | - It must seem like your Lead’s chances of |
| This will help sustain you through the long haul | | | | success are next to impossible. |
| because you’re going to be really enjoying | | | | |
| the process of getting to know the characters | | | | By following these four steps, you will be able to |
| and watching the novel unfold. Plus, your writing | | | | generate a guiding story idea for your novel that |
| will reflect your enthusiasm and genuine interest in | | | | will inspire you and motivate you to stick with it |
| your story and your readers will feel that as | | | | until you’ve completed your novel. This idea |
| well. | | | | will guide you as you develop the details of your |
| Step 2: Who Will Be the Main Character of Your | | | | plot and and other elements of your story. By |
| Novel? | | | | starting with a powerful, strong idea, you’ll be |
| The next step is to decide on the basic details of | | | | giving yourself the gift of a solid foundation that |
| you novel’s Lead character. Give them a | | | | will support the rest of your novel. |