| If you are setting out to write the next great | | | | Your plot will also be another aspect to work on |
| novel that will hit the shelves in your local | | | | quite a bit as well. What exactly is your story |
| bookstore, then there are certain elements that | | | | about? What is the moral behind the story? |
| you will need to keep in mind through the entire | | | | These are just some of the questions that you |
| process. Writing a great novel takes time, so | | | | should ask yourself when writing the novel. If you |
| don't expect to be able to turn out a masterpiece | | | | do not have a clear picture of what message you |
| within a few weeks. You will need to spend quite | | | | want your plot and characters to convey to the |
| a bit of time doing outlines and preparation before | | | | reader, it will not come through as a success. |
| you can even think of beginning the actual writing | | | | Before you send your novel off to the publishers, |
| aspect, although when you do start, these are | | | | make sure that you get a fresh pair of eyes to |
| the things to remember. | | | | take a look at it, preferably someone who is |
| One thing that most great fiction novels have in | | | | experienced at editing and can catch some of |
| common are the characters. While the names and | | | | your more subtle mistakes. If you have to, hire |
| personalities of these characters may be | | | | someone to pick through it and give you some |
| different, they are all well developed and have | | | | pointers on how to improve it as a whole. In the |
| identities and traits that make them unique to | | | | end you will be glad that you got the constructive |
| that specific work. Before you begin writing your | | | | criticism, because if your goal is to sell it, you will |
| novel, you will want to think long and hard about | | | | be much more successful when handing in a |
| what you want your characters to be like. Make a | | | | polished manuscript that has been revised by |
| list of all the traits and characteristics which they | | | | someone other than yourself. |
| possess, and work from there. | | | | |