5 Essential Milestones to Crafting a Captivating Novel

Creating a novel is no easy feat. In fact, it is hard as fuck. It requires motivation, time, and constant writing and editing, and more tweaking than a crack addict stuck in a closet. The process of creating a novel is a long and arduous one, but ultimately fulfilling. A novelist must have an idea they’re passionate about and the writing process shouldn’t be taken lightly.

If you are writing a novel but having trouble getting your story down on paper, this blog is for you. In this post, we’ll discuss some of the steps involved in writing a novel from planning to publishing your work. We’ll hit on some writing tips for beginners as well as tips for editing your work that will help you create a novel that readers will love.

The importance of planning your novel

Before writing a novel, it's essential to have a game plan for writing the novel, even if it is not a full-blown outline. This can help you meet deadlines, both self-set or publisher mandated, and stay focused on your writing goal. Before starting your novel, brainstorm ideas for story elements and plot points. This will help you develop the idea of your novel and engage with it.

Ask questions to give structure and direction to writing your novel. For example, inquire about the genre or type of novel you are writing, the main character's background story, the point of view, or writing style. Additionally, discuss the overall story arc and why it is important to you as a writer and how it could be important to the reader.

Organization is vital to writing a novel, for some people, others can be a hot mess and still get it done. Just don't be like George R.R. Martin. Create a detailed outline of your novel before writing it and do not use a DOS machine. This will help you keep track of your characters' back stories and plot lines, as well as any subplots that may occur throughout the novel. Additionally, be disciplined when writing your novel. Developing a habit of daily writing can provide momentum during creative process and lead to more positive outcomes. Also, be dedicated to your writing process by consistently writing even if it isn't perfect, which it won't be.

Making a great plot?

You know you need some sort of organization for your book, but what makes a great plot? A great plot should be engaging, powerful, and memorable. It must resonate with the reader on a deep level and draw them into the story universe. In order to do this, you need to consider the character development, the world building, and the writing of the story that ties them all together.

Start with character development—you can't craft a compelling story without well-developed characters. Start with drawing out your main character's unique traits and motivations. This can help you establish their goals and desires in the story. From there, focus on making your protagonist's arc meaningful and engaging for readers. What is it that drives them? How have they changed over time? What are their fears, weaknesses, and strengths? Dive into each of these details to create a truly dynamic character that readers can root for.

Once you've developed your main character, it's time to think about world building. This involves creating a vivid story universe that encompasses not only your protagonist but also other key characters and settings. Consider who your protagonist is surrounded by and what draws them to one another or to your protagonist? The more you think about this process before writing, the easier it will be to create a cohesive story world in which your characters feel at home.

Finally, think about writing elements such as pacing, tension, and conflict. These help to create a narrative that flows naturally from scene to scene and keeps readers engaged from start to finish. Don't have your characters stop in the middle of a gun fight to contemplate the morality between good and evil.

Crafting your story arc

A story arc is a plot structure that involves a series of events that build upon each other to form a complex, engaging narrative. It is similar to a trajectory in the sense that it shows a clear pattern of development over time. However, instead of being linear and moving in one direction, the story arc typically takes multiple turns, leading to an ultimately satisfying conclusion.

A good example of a story arc can be found in the television series Game of Thrones. In this show, the story arc centers on the struggle for control between various factions as they fight for control of the Seven Kingdoms. From humble beginnings as small kingdoms, each faction vies for power and influence over others and eventually comes into conflict with one another. These conflicts lead to dramatic events such as battles and betrayals, lots of sex, which build up to larger-scale confrontations and ultimately culminate in an epic climax. See what I did there...

Story arcs are essential for authors and directors when crafting novels, movies, television shows, and other media because they help to provide viewers with a compelling storyline that draws them in and keeps their attention throughout.

Writing the first draft

If you have ever considered writing a novel, it is important to know the process of writing a novel before you dive in. Knowledge is power. Writing a first draft of a novel is where all your ideas get organized and shaped into a story. It’s when you add in all of your favorite parts and make sure that nothing is left out. This stage can be tedious, and fun, but it's vital to the final draft of the novel.

Start writing your first draft of a novel without overthinking it. Rather, let the creative juices flow and don't worry about perfecting your first draft because you won't. Use the preparation done beforehand to prevent writer's block, aka your outline and character templates. This means planning out your plot in great detail before you start writing, though some people excel by writing from the seat of their pants and trimming later. By doing so, you will avoid any distractions during writing and improve your first draft significantly.

After finishing your first draft, go through it critically and edit as necessary. This will lead to a second draft and a third, hell maybe even and eighth. That is ok! This will help you create a more cohesive manuscript and ensure that your novel is perfect from start to finish.

Revising and editing your novel

Revising and editing your novel is a process that involves taking a critical look at the manuscript as a whole. It is an essential part of writing a novel, and it is vital for crafting a story that resonates with readers. Before beginning the process of writing and revising your novel, you should familiarize yourself with the various types of editing.
-Surgical editing: This involves making grammatical corrections and fixing continuity errors. It also involves highlighting any stylistic elements that may improve the writing.
-Page one rewriting: This entails completely rewriting a particular scene or chapter to enhance it and make it more engaging to the reader.

You will do both...a lot.

Depending on the assessment of your first draft, you may opt for surgical edits or page one rewrite. When getting your novel ready for publication, consider hiring a professional editor, it can be costly, but it is worth it in the long run. Developmental editors provide a holistic and in-depth review of your novel, while copyeditors take a more precise approach. By following these steps, you can ensure that your manuscript is well polished before submitting it for publishing.

Finding readers for feedback

- Obtain professional feedback from publishing professionals
- Reach out to Beta readers, such as friends and family, for feedback (this can be problematic if your people want to spare your delicate feelings)
- Read books and blogs on novel writing for tips
- Take into account feedback from multiple sources when making revisions
- Investigate potential Sensitivity Readers for more in-depth feedback

If you are writing a novel, it's important to consider the different perspectives of other people. This will help you draft a story that is engaging and memorable for readers. Additionally, you should read novels written by other authors and take their advice into consideration when writing your own novel. This will help you draft a story that is creative, unique, and of high quality. Finally, you should also invest time in creating a compelling novel outline. Doing so will help you draft a story that is detailed and thoughtfully executed.

Conclusion

There you have it, five essential milestones to writing a captivating novel. Let me know if you found this blog helpful in the comments section below. If you’re struggling with writing a novel and want some more tips, I have a series of blog posts on that can help with writing and editing your first novel. For example:

One Rookie Writing Mistake to Avoid

3 Grammar Rules You Need to Forget

5 Tips for the Second Draft