While many people claim to have interest in writing a novel one day, few ever do. Some say they have a "great idea", but they lack the discipline to sit down and actually write. Others are itching to write, but can't seem to come up with a strong story.
For the latter, here are a few tips on how to get ideas for a novel.
How Writers Get Novel Ideas
Many prolific authors say that ideas just come to them, be it in a dream, at work, or even while taking out the garbage. Some writers speak of their "muses", the voice that whispers ideas in their ears unbidden.
The truth is, our experiences shape our perceptions, our thoughts, our dreams, and even our ideas. That is not to say that one must be an expert in martial arts to write about a karate master, or have been to Alaska in order to write a story set in that state. But the beginnings of a story, whether it's setting, a character, a feeling, or even just an opening line, are things drawn from a writer's personal experience.
The trick, of course, is to latch on to this little idea, and help it bloom into a full story.
Get Story Ideas: Carry a Notebook and Take Notes
When writing a book, it's a good idea to get into the habit of carrying a small notepad and pen around at all times. Ideas for stories, dialogue, characters, and plot development can hit anytime, and it's amazing how quickly they can be forgotten.
In addition to jotting down ideas, writers can also write down any interesting thoughts or experiences they have throughout the day. Even if these thoughts don't appear to have story potential now, scanning over them later might might trigger an idea.
For writers who dream often, keeping this notebook near the bed and writing down dreams immediately can be a great way to find book ideas later.
Writing a Novel: Big Ideas Develop Slowly
Generally speaking, when an author claims the idea for a book came from a dream, or an experience, or anything else, what they really mean was the novel was inspired by this event. Aspiring novelists should not wait for a full plot and a cast of characters to walk into their heads.
In fact, even if the "big idea" hits a writer all at once, the story often changes and fluctuates during the writing process. But most of the time, the story will start with one small element – a short scene, a character, a theme – and grow from there.
Writing for the Market Versus Writing for Passion
It is common for a novelist eager to be published to look at what's popular now and write a similar novel. This is a bad idea for many reasons, including that the market changes often and it's impossible to say what will be popular when their novel is ready to be published.
The biggest reason writing for the market is a bad idea, however, is that it most likely will not truly be the story the author wants to tell. The best thing a new novelist can do is to ignore the market and write a book they feel connected to. This passion will help their writing ring true and stand out.
When choosing that small element that will grow into a novel, writers should pick the one that they can't forget about. The character they can't stop thinking about, or the theme that reflects something in life they hold dear. Novelists that tell a story that is meaningful to them will have a book that is meaningful to others.
More Help on Writing a Novel
Sometimes the best way to start writing a novel is to set a goal and go for lots of words every day. For help and support in getting the first draft of a book finished in one month, check out NaNoWriMo.
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