| How to write novel help always includes | | | | 1. In plot-themed books, the why of the book is |
| information on developing plot, creating | | | | the movement of the story. It's the |
| characters, setting a good pace, and describing | | | | entertainment value of the happenings in the |
| great settings. But how often do novelists think | | | | book. You structure your novel around "what |
| about theme? The best how to write a novel | | | | happens next." |
| advice focuses on theme before it goes on to | | | | 2. In character-themed books, your main reason |
| cover the other basics. | | | | why is the person or people in your novel. The |
| The theme of a novel is the central "why" of the | | | | characters are the driving force of your novel. |
| manuscript. If you want to know how to write a | | | | 3. In style-themed books, your writing style is the |
| great novel, you must know why you're writing | | | | central core of your novel. Only a small minority |
| the novel. | | | | of books have style themes. These are not |
| Why are you telling this story? What's the point | | | | mainstream novels. Style-themed books have |
| of it? | | | | heavy-headed, extremely unique styles that tend |
| Answering the question why isn't something that's | | | | to overshadow the rest of the novel's elements. |
| an afterthought. It must, in fact, something you | | | | 4. In idea-themed books, the theme is a concept |
| figure out first. If you want the secret of how to | | | | intended to provoke thought. Moral ideas, social |
| write an incredible book, here it is: | | | | comment, human nature and human relations |
| You'll be well on your way to knowing how to | | | | ideas are all the sorts of ideas that can drive a |
| write a great (and publishable) book when you | | | | novel. When you have a particular thought you |
| choose a compelling theme BEFORE you begin | | | | want to explore, that thought will be the central |
| even planning the rest of the book. The theme of | | | | linking pattern of your novel. |
| your book is the pattern of thought in your book. | | | | 5. In emotional-effect-themed books, the theme |
| In other words, it's the answer to your why | | | | centers on your readers' emotional responses to |
| question. | | | | the book. If you are most interest in generating a |
| A theme is the central concern around which your | | | | particular emotion, that emotion is the theme of |
| story is centered. Often people call theme the | | | | your book. |
| "message" of a novel, but "message" doesn't quite | | | | To learn how to write a novel, you must first |
| capture what a good theme is. Theme is not so | | | | know how to choose a theme. Answering the |
| much a message as it is a pattern, a concept that | | | | question why--discovering what matters most to |
| structures the whole of your story. | | | | you regarding your motivation to write your |
| When you learn how to write from the starting | | | | novel--is the key to choosing theme. Choose your |
| point of theme, you have five elements to | | | | theme well, and you will be a novelist who knows |
| choose from as the core of your theme: plot, | | | | an essential part of how to write. |
| character, style, idea, and emotional effect. | | | | |