Does your novel include these 5 elements?
Does Your Novel Include These Five Elements?
As a writer, you invest so much time into crafting your novel, with the number one goal in mind:
To get your book published!
Over the past five years, Novel Suite has nurtured thousands of authors in many ways, and what we’ve noticed is that there are five things that tend to get an author’s foot in the door, and increase their chances of success.
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Well-Structured Plot
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Consistency of Detail
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Meaningful Descriptions
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Accurate Research
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Characters That Readers Care About
What’s So Important About These Elements?
Writing a novel is tough and risky.
As pressures rise and complications emerge, we’re tempted to make compromises just to get through the process and to the finish line.
But, if you want to be successful in the long run, you’ve got to know why it’s so important not to skimp on these details.
These are the things that professionals in the industry are looking for. These are the things your readers subconsciously expect!
1. A Well-Structured Plot
Poor structure is the #1 most common reason for manuscript rejections.
For centuries, plot models and diagrams have been developed and refined to create story structures that work. It is imperative as a writer that your plot is mapped out and monitored throughout the writing process. Even if you are a ‘pantster’, the details need to be documented to ensure the foundations are solid, and the structure is strong.
Using a Novel Board or other writing templates really work here, so you know your story is on track without needing to unnecessarily undo a lot of writing.
Start a free trial of Novel Suite’s writing software and navigate to ‘Writing Templates’, and then ‘Structure’.
Also, try starting a new book and see what the Novel Board can do for you.
2. Consistency of Detail
All writers have computer files, notepads, sticky notes, whiteboards, and a multitude of other things that help to keep things organized. But the problem is, as the story unfolds, details inevitably change. Writers chase their tails, trying to keep all the specifics up to date and consistent throughout the story.
Keep well-documented templates of all your characters, settings and events, so changes can be made quickly as they arise, without interfering with your stream of writing.
Scene summaries should also be kept in check so that the basic outlines are available for review and modification when the need arises. You will be amazed by how much simpler this makes the overall writing process in the long run.
3. Meaningful Descriptions
Everything you put into your novel has the opportunity to serve the overall story. Whether it be objects, places or events, they all contribute to the depth and meaning of the story you portray.
Descriptions often require prompts to see outside your immediate vision. Keep a well-thought-out list of elements to consider when creating a new ‘thing’ in your story. What purpose does it serve? How can it move the story forward? What could connect this to another section of the story?
Images are incredibly helpful here too, as they add further depth to the writer’s mind as they are writing.
4. Accurate Research
There are plenty of things you can do to ensure you’re writing the most authentic novel possible. Settings, characters, plot details, historical influences, even genre and craft – these and other elements can be researched to strengthen your knowledge and flesh out your book.
In the military, they often say ‘time spent gathering intelligence is seldom wasted’. The same concept applies in writing a novel.
5. Characters That Readers Care About
Characters are the threads with which stories are weaved. Novel Suite has created fillable PDF worksheets for you. Characteristics are just as important as the overall story, as these are what make everything they do have meaning.
A story is only as good as the way in which readers can relate to its characters. A poorly developed character will dampen the impact of his or her actions and remain a stranger to the reader. This is why it is important to learn how to properly develop a character and to record your character information.
Try managing characters with Novel Suite Writing Software. This includes unlimited character profiles that can be ordered and filtered to suit your needs.
Tying It All Together
So, while you have your number one goal in mind – to get your book published – it’s important that you tend to the things that will help you avoid the slush pile at the publishing house. Professional editors, agents, and publishers alike will evaluate your writing with these things in mind.
Taking care of them from the outset not only makes your chances of success higher, but it also creates a more pleasurable experience for the writer, with much fewer frustrating rewrites!