Writing a great novel is a challenging but rewarding undertaking. Understanding the key elements of what makes a book great before putting pen to the parchment can save a potential author many months of effort and editing. The following principles will guide those future Hemingway's, who are willing to take heed and hard-earned advice.
1. Don't Write Anything that Does Not Move the Story Along
If a side step to the story does not reveal something important about one of the characters or hint at something that will be happening later in the story, it probably does not belong in it. However, the author may chose to include one or two segments that loosely tie the story together, knowing that the editors will be looking to slice and dice later on. The author can give them something to chew on, instead of letting them devour parts of the story.
2. Have More Front Story than Back Story to Keep the Reader's Interest Intact
Too many novels get wrapped up in back story that can bore the reader. Even though the author wants to be detailed about what happens, when, why and how, if the detail bogs down the novel, it needs to be omitted or as briefly included as possible. Also, the novelist needs to take particular care about changing time frames, moving from front to back story repeatedly in order to limit possible confusion and frustration by the reader.
3. Find a Sounding Board or Focus Group Who Will Not Try to Get Inside the Author's Head
An objective reader who would be the type of person the novelist wants to attract to her readership of the book, would make a good choice for sounding board. What the author wants to get from her is where does she laugh, where are details confusing, how can something be clarified, etc. A writing group can fill this role very well. Starting one up in the author's locale could be as easy as a Craig's List advertisement in many places.
The author does not want people to tell her what should or should not happen in the story. This can interfere with the author's creative process if she listens to their ideas and then incorporates them in the mix. After the book is written in first draft, the author can seek opinions on storyline very readily. Trust in one's own creativity and storymaking ability is vital to the novel's integrity.
4. Focus First and Foremost on Intricate Character Development
Some would argue that character development separates the goods fron the greats in classic novel history. Make the characters real, breathing beings. Recite the dialog aloud and make each character have his own mind, words and style of speaking. Give the reader someone to dream about in between reading the chapters of the book. Great characters really do live and breathe in the imagination.
5. Make Your Settings Shine With Exquisite Detail
The more color, texture and feeling the author can add to the book, the better, provided he does not put style above and beyond substance. Let the reader see and feel the setting. Let her smell the sea breeze and feel the sun on her shoulders. Reading is all about escaping to a different world. Rich, vibrant settings make this happen.
6. Maintain Emotional Truth
If the novel does not ring true for the reader and he does not understand the actions of the characters or if he does not identify with them because they don't seem quite human, the novel is flawed. The reader should root for the hero and hate the villian. Ultimately, the reader must experience a sense of justice and emotional satisfaction at the end of the day and end of the book. Otherwise, he will feel cheated and duped.
7. Limit Any Coincidentals
Maybe one or two small coincidences are acceptable in the novel. However, if many events happen as a result of coincidence, the reader will feel a lack of truth. Stir these coincidence elements into the book sparingly or not at all, if that's possible.
8. Lose Any and All Cliches
At all costs, avoid the cliche. "He was a tall drink of water" will give the reader the urge to gag. However, if you can skillfully manipulate a common cliche into something humorous and fun, do it. "He was a tall, black Russian; and just as tasty looking". Or maybe the "milk of human kindness" becomes the milk of Magnesia of human kindness". Make the old and stale, new and fresh - and maybe a tad naughty.
9. Edit No More Than Twice
Some authors get so bogged down in the editing process that they find they can never finish the novel. Limit the edit process to looking at 25% of the book at a time and edit each of these segments no more than two times. Then, before sending it to an agent, ask a trusted friend for grammatical assistance with the final draft. Then just let it go.
10. Think of a Novel in Terms of the Beats and Rests of a Musical Symphony
The most important advice is the last item on the list. The novel has a flow, a rhythm and a balance to maintain. It needs to consist of a voice or tone, the action scenes and the reflection scenes after the action. Toward the end of the book is the crescendo or climax and the conclusion follows this. Using a musical composition like Rhapsody in Blue is a notable example. The author starts in beautiful harmonious notes that ebb and flow with notes or beats and rests. Building to a powerful and gripping climax, the notes sing out in multi-layered harmony. The beauty concludes in slow resting pulsations of sound that grips the soul in a magical experience. Let the novel sing in a voice and song of the skilled author's creation.
Adhering to the critical elements of the novel including maintaining a consistent pace, tone and emotional truth throughout will yield a masterpiece of written words.
Therese Haberman - With a MS degree and 25 years in HR mgmt, in 2005, Ms.Therese began a writing career specializing in children and HR.
Join the Conversation