Are you struggling to come up with an interesting idea for a novel? Pinning down a concept may give you the necessary traction to move forward, but the initial challenge of creating something from nothing can prove frustrating and result in paralyzing writer's block.
SELECTING A GENRE
When I began my first novel, I was brimming with motivation but unsure what to write about. People suggested I write the kind of novel I enjoyed reading, which at the time was legal thrillers. But I knew I lacked the expertise to craft a story in that genre, so I turned to my second love—contemporary dramas.
GENERATING A STORY LINE
After determining my genre, I needed to come up with a compelling story idea—one that would fill 300+ pages and keep an audience reading. A quick search on the internet revealed a number of strategies for creating a plot:
Draw from personal experiences.
Select a story from the news and create a fictional world around it.
Rewrite an old fairy tale with a new spin.
People-watch and imagine their backstories.
Use writing prompts and ask yourself "what if?"
Keep a journal until inspiration strikes.
WRITING WITH INTENTION
Although these suggestions are reasonable launching pads for inspiring a plot, none of them worked for me, probably because of my temperament and personality. Since I am philosophical, goal-driven, and thrive on planning and organization, I realized I needed to write with deep intention.
So, I asked myself this question: what is the purpose of my novel? What message do I want to convey to the world through this story? This message, also known as theme, serves as the foundation on which to build a plot and is the reference point for keeping your story on track.
DEVELOPING PLOT
With my theme established, I then began to tackle the plot. Countless methods exist for developing plot—I like to use the 5W1H or Kipling Method, which involves asking six key questions: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How. These questions help to build a comprehensive and engaging story by covering all essential aspects. Rudyard Kipling's use of this method in his poem "The Elephant's Child" is a classic example of its effectiveness.
A PRACTICAL EXAMPLE OF DEVELOPING PLOT
When I wrote my second novel, An Old-Fashioned Love, I wanted to demonstrate the value of saving sex for marriage, an unpopular concept in our current culture. With this theme in mind, I began to work out a rough plot using the six key questions noted above.
Who?: A young, sexually active young woman searching for true love and marriage.
What?: A woman who keeps winding up with the wrong men and experiences continual rejection and disappointment.
Why?: Her loose lifestyle attracts men without character who are unwilling to make commitments.
Where?: Primarily on Cape Cod, MA (my residence for 10 years).
When?: Contemporary, current day.
How? (How did she become that way?) Her tragic upbringing damaged her self-esteem and led her to a life of promiscuity. (How does she escape this fate?) At the moment of her greatest despair, a chance encounter with a man of character opens the doorway to potential self-discovery and a life-changing relationship.
By starting with a basic framework and repeating these questions, you will be able to develop a plot with depth and complexity and ensure that your story evolves naturally.
Plot also contains numerous other important elements, which I will discuss later in this blog. I hope this gives you the inspiration you need to get started!
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