To write a great novel you must first think of an idea. It must be one that will not only draw readers in, but be sustainable for an entire novel.
The basic idea of what your novel is about should grab the attention of your reader. It is also a guiding light for you, the author. The provides a narrative outline for your book from beginning to end.
The fundamental concept that expresses the plot in basic language is known as the story’s premise. A strong concept will encapsulate your tale’s essential elements in a one- or two-liner statement.
To begin with writing your novel, you must come up with a premise for your story. You may already have one that you just need to refine a little, or you may need to come up with one. If that is the case, you will need to do some brainstorming.
The brainstorming process is important and demands more creativity than most people think. If you find yourself stuck and without any ideas for your story, don’t worry!
There are many different techniques you can try that will help jump start your imagination and get the ball rolling on your writing journey.
What will your book be about? It may seem difficult, but there are plenty of ways of doing this.
Coming up with the initial premise of your novel, and ideas for interesting plot developments, interesting tensions that will arise, and an interesting climax is arguably the hardest part about writing one. Thus, you must be always attuned to raw ideas and inspirations when they come to you.
Your brainstorming should be an ongoing vocation or habit, as you go through your daily life, be thoughtful about your experiences, think about whether what you are experiencing on any given day might be good material for a work of fiction.
It’s possible to come up with many creative ideas while sitting and thinking about what you want to write. But brainstorming is far more than that. You will likely need to use many brainstorming techniques to stimulate your creativity. The following are some fantastic ideas for generating new paths to explore and feed your writing creativity:
1. Build the Premise Around You Characters.
One way is to start with a character or characters in mind and build the story around them. What does this character want? What obstacles are in their way? What kind of world do they live in?
A story is much stronger when the reader knows who the main character is and what they’re trying to achieve. When brainstorming your premise you should keep the protagonist in mind.
2. A Monumental Starting Event.
You can always start your novel off with a bang.
Another way is to start with a plot or event in mind and build the story around that. What happens before and after this event? Who is involved? What are the consequences?
You can also mix and match these approaches, starting with a character or event and then fleshing out the details.
3. Think about what the Twist or Catch is.
Generally speaking, your initial premise has to contain some sort of foundational tension. This interview with a UCLA Film School professor puts it nicely. When the professor is asked what all great stories have in common, he says:
“The word “but.” Which is to say inexperienced or poor storytellers structure their material with the words “and” or “then.” So “They did this, and then they did that, and then they did this, and then they did that.”
So there you have it, without that twist or tension built into the very first premise of the story, then you are going to have very bored readers.
If you have a novel idea in mind now, then you should go ahead and try and express that idea in one concise sentence. Remember to make “but” the central pivot point of the sentence!
Something like this is an example of what I am talking about:
“An ambitious and career driven person is offered the job of a lifetime, but their workaholism is causing tensions at home which threaten to undermine everything they’ve worked for.”
Some other examples of how you could twist the characters for the benefit of the reader are:
- Make them appear likable and good, but then suddenly reveal they are evil.
- Have them make a decision to commit a crime, which is unlike the type of person they are.
- Have a character act contrary to the ethics of their profession. For example, a crooked cop, or a doctor that doesn’t care about their patients.
- Have the character slowly become obsessed with something over time.
- Have the character act against their better judgement which leads them further and further in a dangerous situation.
Remember there’s always a catch.
3. Goals and Obstacles.
4. Read widely
One of the best ways to come up with ideas for your novel is to read widely. By reading about different areas of life, different professions, different cultures, and different parts of the world, you’ll start to see patterns and commonalities that you can use as the basis for your own story. Additionally, seeing how other writers have tackled similar themes will give you a better sense of what has been done before and what might be possible for your own story.
It’s a good idea, also, to read quite widely about different areas of life, different professions, different cultures, different parts of the world and ways of life, because having so many reference points to compare and contrast will allow you to come up with innovative and new ideas from already existing ones.
Be sure to write all the little bits of ideas you have down so you can remember them.
5. Look for the unusual
Another way to come up with ideas for your novel is to look for the unusual. Instead of thinking about what has been done before, try to think about what hasn’t been done before. What are some topics or themes that have never been explored in a novel? What are some interesting settings or situations that would make for a unique story? By thinking outside the box, you’ll be more likely to come up with an original idea for your novel.
The important thing is to get started and keep brainstorming. The more ideas you have, the easier it will be to find the right one for your novel. And don’t worry if some of your ideas seem crazy at first – the best ones often do.
Inspiration can spring from anywhere:
- something you see happen on the street, or on the bus.
- Observations about social phenomena, how men are different from women, and how they are the same, for example.
- A phrase pops into your head that you think would make a good title for a book.
- You remember a dream you had that would make a great story.
- You read an article in the paper about someone with an interesting job, or who has been through an unusual experience.
- You overhear a conversation in a café and can’t help but wonder what would happen if…
- A scene from a movie stays with you long after you’ve left the cinema.
These are just a few examples to get you thinking about where ideas for your novel might come from. The important thing is to be open to inspiration and to start brainstorming as soon as possible. With a little effort, you’ll have plenty of ideas for your novel in no time.
6. Brainstorm with someone else
If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas on your own, try brainstorming with someone else. This could be a friend, family member, or fellow writer. Brainstorming can help you come up with ideas that you never would have thought of on your own. Additionally, it can be helpful to get feedback on your ideas from someone else. They may be able to point out flaws in your logic or suggest ways to make your idea even better.
7. Keep a ideas journal
One of the best ways to ensure that you always have fresh ideas for your novel is to keep a ideas journal. Every day, take some time to write down any ideas that come to mind, no matter how wild or crazy they may seem. The goal is to just get the ideas down on paper (or in a computer document). You can always sort through them later and decide which ones are worth pursuing.
8. Take inspiration from real life
Many great novels have been inspired by real life events. If you’re struggling to come up with an idea, try looking to the world around you for inspiration. What are some current events that could be turned into a novel? What are some interesting people or places that you know about? By taking inspiration from real life, you can create a novel that feels more grounded and believable.
Brainstorming can be a difficult and frustrating process, but it’s essential if you want to write a novel. By using these techniques, you’ll be more likely to come up with an original and compelling idea for your next great novel.