How to Write a Novel: My Proven 12-Step Process

Jerry Jenkins discusses the misconception around novels being fiction and clarifies the distinction from memoirs or nonfiction. He addresses common fears writers face, such as self-doubt and fear of not doing justice to their story. Jenkins offers a step-by-step novel writing process for beginners to create compelling fiction and overcome obstacles like procrastination and competition.

Choosing a winning story idea is crucial for writing a novel. The key factor in selecting the right idea is your passion and commitment to it. Your chosen idea should be captivating enough to sustain an entire book, keeping readers engaged throughout the journey from start to finish.

Decide if you're an outliner who plans everything before writing or a pantser who writes by the seat of their pants. Stephen King, a famous pantser, suggests putting characters in tough situations and discovering the story as you write. There's no superior approach; choose what feels natural to you or be a hybrid writer combining both methods for structure and creative freedom.

Learn about the classic story structure as defined by best-selling novelist Dean Koontz in his book 'How to Write'. This structure serves as a guideline for crafting compelling narratives. Understanding this framework can help writers create engaging plots and develop well-rounded characters.

Best-selling fiction author Koontz advises starting your story by plunging the character into severe trouble immediately. He suggests escalating the problems despite the character's efforts to resolve them.

Hope emerges in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.

To create a heroic character, the journey must seem hopeless at first. The hero completes their character arc by utilizing all the new skills and knowledge acquired throughout the story to emerge victorious in the end. Regardless of your storytelling structure, it is crucial to engage readers from the very beginning and maintain that grip until the conclusion.

Creating unforgettable characters in a novel involves developing a protagonist with a character arc, showcasing heroic qualities and flaws that make them relatable. The antagonist should be as compelling as the hero, with believable motivations for their actions. Supporting characters should not be one-dimensional but have depth to enhance the story's development.

Research is crucial for creating believable fiction, even in genres like fantasy and science fiction. Specific factual details enhance the authenticity of a story and prevent reader disinterest. Utilize resources such as atlases, almanacs, interviews, and search engines to ensure accuracy without overwhelming the narrative with unnecessary facts.

Selecting your point-of-view character is crucial as they serve as the lens through which readers experience the story. Stick to one perspective character per chapter and ideally per novel, conveying everything from their senses and emotions. While first-person voice may seem limiting, most successful novels are written in third person limited for a reason, allowing deep connection with the lead character who should have the most at stake in each scene.

Begin your novel in the midst of action to immediately engage readers. Grab their attention with a compelling opening that propels them into the heart of the story without excessive scene setting or description. The key is to hook readers from the first word, driving them forward with each sentence towards discovering more about your narrative.

A surprise opener is a powerful technique to engage the audience from the start. George Orwell's '1984' provides an excellent example with its memorable opening line: 'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking 13.' This immediately captivates readers by presenting an unexpected scenario.

Toni Morrison's novel 'Paradise' opens with a powerful line: 'They shoot the white girl first.' This dramatic statement immediately captivates readers and sets the tone for the story.

Leo Tolstoy's famous opening line from Anna Karenina states, 'Happy families are all alike.' This philosophical statement sets the tone for exploring the nature of happiness and family dynamics.

The importance of a strong and captivating opening line in novels is highlighted through the example from James Crummles' 'The Last Good Kiss'. The scene depicts Abraham Traian drinking beer with an alcoholic bulldog named Fireball Robert, setting a unique and intriguing tone. It emphasizes the need to maintain reader engagement beyond just the initial hook by avoiding common pitfalls like excessive explanation or description.

Trigger the theater of your reader's mind by engaging their imagination and suggesting just enough to spark their own interpretations. Hollywood movies often fall short compared to books because they can't match the vividness of a reader's mental imagery. As writers, our goal is not to dictate every detail but to allow readers room for interpretation and involvement in creating the story experience.

Showing in writing engages the reader by allowing them to deduce information through actions and descriptions. Instead of telling that a character is tall or angry, demonstrate it through their interactions and reactions. By showing emotions and physical traits, readers are actively involved in interpreting the story without being explicitly told.

To create an engaging novel, it is crucial to escalate the troubles of your main character. Avoid making their life too easy by providing them with everything they need for success. Instead, introduce challenges that worsen progressively and test the character's resilience.

To write a compelling novel, it's crucial to make your hero face a seemingly insurmountable challenge known as the bleakest moment. This is where everything appears irreparable, pushing the protagonist to their limits. For instance, imagine a reformed lover falling back into destructive habits on the eve of his wedding, causing his true love to walk away in despair. The key is not to offer an easy way out but rather force the hero to confront and overcome this ultimate obstacle with newfound strength.

The final step in your story is to bring everything to a head, reaching the ultimate resolution. This is where the hero faces their most significant test with stakes that seem insurmountable. The conflict reaches its peak, leading to an intense confrontation where all major setups are resolved. Readers receive the payoff they've been waiting for, rewarding their commitment.

To create a great ending, ensure it leaves the reader wholly satisfied by focusing on two key aspects: putting the reader first and keeping the hero in focus till the end. The climax may be dramatic, but endings should not just peter out; they must be riveting and emotionally impactful. A satisfying ending ties up loose ends while delivering an emotional wallop that resonates with readers.

Efficient Writing Process Separate your writing and editing processes to enhance efficiency. Edit and revise daily to avoid getting stuck in perfecting each sentence during the initial draft. Focus on storytelling without worrying about flaws, planning to refine later.

Perfectionist Revision Approach During the first draft, silence your inner critic and prioritize getting the story down without overthinking cliches or redundancies. Save perfectionism for revisions where you can meticulously edit every word using a 21-part checklist provided for free download.