For example, you may do writing prompts that focus on creating a specific element of your novel, such as character or setting. A writing prompt about your main character’s worst day ever may be a good way to generate scenes with the main character for your novel. You can find a list of writing prompts at Writer’s Digest. com.
Give your main character a name, a gender, a profession or something that occupies their time, such as school or college. Determine their physical attributes, such as their height, weight, eye color, and skin tone. Think about what clothing they wear and any personal items that they carry with them or have around often. Give your main character a backstory that includes past memories, experiences, and important moments. For example, you may have a main character who had a traumatic childhood. You may not include the backstory in your novel but it can help you flesh out your main character more on the page.
For example, you may have a novel set in a dystopian future where abortion is illegal all over the world. You may then have a character who needs an abortion but is unable to do so safely and legally in the world of the novel. The central conflict of the novel will then be her attempt to get an abortion by other, illegal means.
For example, you may choose a setting that uses landmarks in New York City and make them more futuristic. You may then put a bubble over New York City, which will limit how your characters can move in and out of the city on their own.
For example, you may have characters who are a family of immigrants living in a small American town. You may then explore themes like identity, family loyalty, and love through your characters and your setting.
There are a wide range of genres in writing, from literary fiction to science fiction to romance to crime to thriller. You may read books in a few genres to find the one that speaks to you as a writer.
For example, you may have a setup like a college student returning home to their small American hometown in time to celebrate Ramadan with their family. The inciting incident may then be the impending death of her mother. The rising action could be the college student’s lack of connection to her family and friends. The climax could be the death of her mother. The falling action could be dealing with the death of her mother. The resolution could be the college student’s decision to remain in the small town and care for her remaining family members.
For example, you may have Chapter 1: Introduction of Main Character, where you introduce your main character and the setting to the reader. You may then have Chapter 2: Exploration of the Setting, where you delve more into the setting and the minor characters.
For example, you may have a one sentence summary of your novel like, “A young Muslim woman returns to her small American hometown and tries to reconnect with her family. ” You can then extend this one sentence summary to create a one paragraph summary, character synopses, and a spreadsheet of scenes.
For example, you may have an opening line that states an interesting fact about your main character or your setting. Carson McCullers’ The Heart is a Lonely Hunter has a compelling opening line that states a fact about the setting and her characters: “In the town there were two mutes, and they were always together. ” Another option is to have an opening line that introduces the voice and style of the narrator. Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita is a good example of this, with the opening line, “Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. ”
For example, you may start with your character making the decision to return to their hometown, despite their complicated feelings towards their family. Or you may begin with a character hurrying to catch a train back to their hometown, a frantic rush to the station that will keep the reader engaged.
For example, you may have an opening line like, “‘You missed the train again,’ Melanie said to her sister, Ness. ” This opening line introduces both characters, their relationship, and a conflict or issue.
One option is to start with an opening that lays out most of the main plot. Then, revise it so only the most necessary information is still present in the opening, but the reader is left wondering about the main plot as a whole. Taking out a few details can make your opening stronger and more engaging.
