The novel is, in many ways, the pinnacle of creative writing. A novel is a difficult task that requires patience, skill and dedication. It requires a lot creativity.
Some people have the ability to create novel ideas or short stories like water flowing from a fountain. Creativity is more of a deliberate process for most people. These are some suggestions to help you get started with the book writing process.
8 ways to get book ideas
Creativity is a result of many sources. But if this is your first novel, these writing tips will help you create a story that’s truly worth writing.
1. Take a real story and adapt it. Watch documentaries, read historical texts and watch news to generate compelling plot ideas. It is possible to use a nonfiction text as inspiration for a short story, novel, or script. If you think more broadly, inspiration can come from a podcast or a poem, as well as a self help book.
2. Use a folktale or fairy tale plot to adapt your story. Multigenerational storytelling is a great way to create book ideas. Sumo, by Thien Pom, is a graphic novel that draws from centuries old Japanese tradition. The Little Mermaid screenplay was inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale. It’s possible for a great story to be remembered by today’s audience if it has been around as long as the past.
3. Make a character from someone you know. Joel and Ethan Coen claim that the idea for The Big Lebowski was created by Joel and Ethan Coen through a detective thriller featuring a real-life friend who is a stoner. A lot of authors use the characteristics of family members, friends, and co-workers to generate great book ideas. You can start a journal or a notepad to record your observations of people you like. You friend might end up becoming a supporting character or the main character.
4. Write about an event in your life. Writing is often started by reflecting on an incident in one’s own life. William Styron’s biography was his first book. He was a Brooklyn editor at the time and wrote Sophie’s Choice. Judy Blume wrote Forever… to reflect her 17-year-old high-school student life.
5. Analyze a book’s plot. You can revisit a favorite book, whether it’s one you just finished or one that you have loved since childhood. Think about the story and how it works for you as you reconnect with it. Is there a twist to the story on every page? Are there character studies that are constantly evolving? Are there any elements that could be used to inspire your story’s plot?
6. Think about what …?” would look like. Consider a period in history that you are familiar with. Now imagine what it would look like if certain details were changed. This is the basis of alternate history fiction. It’s also called speculative or speculative writing. Alternate fiction is a form of fiction that changes one element of an established historical story and concocts a story from the result.
7. Accept the odd. Although some of the most innovative book ideas were at first strange, they became bestsellers. Some of the most prominent authors of this century include Kurt Vonnegut. Others like Douglas Adams and John Kennedy Toole are well-known, but many of their brilliant ideas could have been lost to publishers who don’t take risk. Don’t let your work get in the way of you. Although not all ideas for writing will result in a novel, it is important to find inspiration and follow your creative path. Don’t forget that not every bestseller was considered too radical.
8. A short story is a good starting point. A story’s plot is not necessarily as important as a novel’s. Consider a short story format if your initial idea for a novel is too simple. A step-by-step guide for how to outline short stories can be found here. Writing a short story will make the writing of a novel much easier.
6 Tips To Start The Novel Writing Process
This can make it difficult to begin a novel.
1. You should choose a place where you are willing to spend a lot. Your readers will have to spend hours reading a novel in order to fully immerse themselves into the world. You, the author will need to spend weeks, months or even years immersed in this world. Brainstorm the settings and time periods that are most interesting to you. This will keep you interested and engaged. You may have multiple settings. While that’s acceptable, it’s not a good idea.
2. Choose a story that will keep you interested. Novels are not just about a collection of time periods and settings. A compelling story must drive them from the beginning to the end. Decide what story you want and make sure it can be sustained throughout a novel. It doesn’t really matter if your story is a fantasy epic or a picayune drama set in small towns. Instead of writing a long story, adapt it to fit the needs of your reader.
3. Make a list of the characters you want to include. Now that your story has a setting and characters, you need to decide the key people in it. The most important of these is your main character. Strong characters have rich and detailed lives, including personal stories and character traits as well as goals and ambitions. You will be able to tell more about your characters to others if you have a better understanding of them.
4. Plan your ending. Even if your ending is not yet planned, it’s important to think about the experience of a reader. Your novel will be read by many people, but the most important part will remain with them. You should give them an amazing ending, no matter whether you are writing a novel that is a bestseller or a literary piece about characters. A clear ending can be a great way to build a story from a writer’s perspective.
5. Divide the story into parts. Now that you understand the story’s direction, it is time to break it down into pieces. Classic stories have three acts. Each act concludes at a pivotal moment in the plot. Your book will remain good throughout if you keep it moving in a progressive manner.
6. Writing is a good habit to get into. Although planning is important, it shouldn’t distract you from the real task: writing your novel. Although your first draft may not be perfect and may need to be rewritten, it is important that you get in the action before second-guessing becomes a problem.
