Have you always wanted to be a writer but don’t know where to start? You’ve been searching the internet for too long but don’t seem to find the starting point? Everybody is talking about advanced stuff but you just need to know where the hell to start? Does it sound like you? Are you reading this as a TV commercial?
Well, then this Beginner’s Guide will definitely help you organize all the ideas in your head and define a plan to finally start writing that novel in you. To help you figure that out, I’m going to be telling you a little bit about some basic concepts:
- Genre
- Age groups
- The dynamic trio: Who, when where, and…
- Conflict
Each one of us is unique in our own way, and each one of us has a story within that needs to see the light. No one has the right of depriving the world of what you have to show, not even yourself.
So, if you feel overwhelmed by all the information that is out there, chill out, we’ll do this step by step. Grab all that courage, get your typing fingers ready and let’s do this!
But… first things first. Before even writing the first line of your first draft, there are a couple of things that need our attention. There is a whole process that needs to take place before putting pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, whatever makes you feel more comfortable.
And yeah, I know, you just want to write, but trust me, this process exists for a reason and: When you finally start writing, your life is going to be much easier. Let’s see the first group of things you need to figure out:
Genre
You need to be clear about what kind of story you are going to tell. Is it, sci-fi? romance? historical? horror? fantasy? contemporary? drama? Yeah, there are quite a few options out there. So I’d say that’s the first thing you need to set straight.
This is going to define your whole novel, the plot, the characters, the emotions you want to convey, the mood: (do you want it spooky or melancholic?) pretty much everything. So take that first step and just decide!!
A good method to decide is of course writing the genre that you like to read or see in movies. Odds are that you have had a little bit of experience with that genre and things are likely to flow better: Stay in the field that you know and enjoy.
Ask yourself: what is my favorite book? What is my favorite kind of book? What are the elements that as a reader I appreciate in any story? Are you a thriller fan? Or do you prefer to get your heart racing with a fluffy, intense, breathtaking romance?
Click here for a description of the most popular literary genres, so you know where to land.
A book could be a combination of two genres: it could be a sci-fi romance or a fantasy romance, or a contemporary drama… the options are out there.
Romance generally combines well with any other genre. Many books have a romantic subplot overarching with the main plot of the story. But of course, you are the writer, so it’s up to you to choose.
This shouldn’t be a difficult step considering most people out there have a favorite (or a couple of favorite) genre(s) as a reader.
Age groups
This is also a major step to form the idea for your novel. There are a lot of differences between a book for children and one for teenagers. The most important differences reside in the kind of language you are going to use, the social/individual problems you are going to address, and the setting of the novel, just to name a few.
Here we have some well-known categories, for which editors and publishers have a clear idea of what to expect.
Generally speaking, the age categorization for novels starts at eight, since any book intended for a younger age, would most likely be a story, coloring or picture book.
Please, take into account that these age ranges may vary and only function for authors and editors to have a common ground for strategies and approaches. So let’s get to know those categories.
- Middle grade: 8-12 years old
- Young Adult : 13 years to 19 years
- Adult: 18 years and above
As a general rule, the age of your protagonist must match the age range of the novel.
I’m sure you’ve noticed Genre and age group are very related, or do you want to write a middle grade horror story?
The Who
Your protagonist, hero or main character (MC), or whatever you’d like to call him/her/it/them needs to be defined before you start writing. Once you define the age group for your novel, it should be easier to know who your MC is.
Why did you decide to write about him and not about someone else. Why does this story need to be told?
Try characterizing your MC physically and psychologically beforehand. That way you make sure you don’t change his eye color half-way through the book. Trust me. I’ve been there, I’ve done that.
Make character profiles with as much information as you can about your MC, and other important characters in the story. Include background information, skills, ambitions, weaknesses, and everything you deem relevant.
Keep the profiles in separate files and consult them whenever in doubt. This way you’ll have a more clear idea about who you’ll be writing about.
The When and Where
Context, setting. The when and where of your story define a bunch of things. the presence or not of technological advances, the cultural elements surrounding the story (religion, education, government…).
The setting comes to be another character in your book and affects the way your characters behave and the course of action of your story.
Does your story take place in a full-fantasy world, or in the 1950’s New Orleans. Either way, you’ll need to adapt everything to those characteristics and the historical context included.
Of course, this is related to the kind of story you want to tell, its genre, age group, etc.
Goal
Your hero needs a goal. Without it, you basically don’t have a story, but a description of the state of things. Your novel needs to move somewhere. Your readers need to have some sense of purpose.
The goal needs to be posed at the very beginning and solved by the end of the book. Each chapter, your characters will be moving closer and closer, facing new challenges, getting some doors closed and some windows open, in a series of events also known as the plot.
Make your goal significant for your characters. make it worth the whole novel.
Main Conflict
Every story needs conflict. Conflict is story. There are two main types: First, we have the external conflict, that makes reference to the events happening outside of the protagonist and independently of his will.
This kind of conflict is an obstacle for your hero. It could be a war, a monster, a deathly competition. It stands between your hero and his ultimate goal.
The second kind of conflict is the internal one. This will also keep your MC from attaining his ultimate goal, but from within. Unless he changes unless he grows. Bum! character arc. Wink Wink.
Summing up…
Maybe you still don’t have a clear idea for your story, but knowing these key elements will definitely help you shape your ideas and narrow the flow of your imagination.
If you need more help or startegies to get ideas for your novel, click here.
Leave a comment with your story basics: when and where, who it is about, genre and about group age. Let your ideas grow.
