5 Tips on Writing Fiction

Fiction writing. What is more frustrating and fulfilling than writing a fiction novel? It can be a drawn out and long task, but these 5 tips for writing fiction makes it somewhat less painful.

Brainstorm-Ideas may come from anywhere. Don’t get hung up on the notion that your ideas must shape a whole novel right away. It can be a discussion you want your characters to have or just a spot you want your main character to visit. A proven way of generating some new ideas is to work with a group of five to ten random phrases and then composing a paragraph utilizing all of those words. You might be astonished where it leads you!

Outline-This is something that I’m going back to with my current project. There are some definite positive aspects to outlining your fiction novel. Most apparent, you know what comes next every stage of the way. By building an outline, you can resolve plot troubles before you even get to the writing stage. Another great thing about outlining your book is that this isn’t high school. You can outline your work in the formal way of headings and sub headings, you could just make a simple list, you can use index cards (one for each scene), or even post-its. It doesn't matter how you do it, get it all layed out so that you have a specific plan to follow.

Find Your Holes and Fill Them-Put your project away for a few days. When you come back, take a look at your outline. Take off your “writer” hat and put on you “reader” hat. Review your outline and ensure you have solved any queries that a reader may have about a story. Why is this happening? Why does the character react this way? Once you find the problems, think of ways to fix them..

Break a Few Rules-Often the most difficult chapter to write is that first one. You know so many other aspects of your story backwards and forwards, but that first chapter has you stumped. You could possibly throw away days looking at a blank page fighting to find the “perfect” opening. Well stop! One of the advantages to outlining is that you don’t have to write in order. Pick whatever scenario you want and write it. Don’t get caught up on order. The first chapter will be simpler to write once you have a few others under your belt and have experience with the tone and voice of the book. Don’t think it’s possible to write a story this way? Gone with the Wind was composed this way with the author completing the last chapter first.

Write Everyday-To be a writer, you have to write. To be a successful writer, you have to write everyday. Make some time each day to write. It can be hard with your “real job”, loved ones, and other duties, but you can’t be a writer if you don’t write. Guard your writing time and explain to your friends and family that your writing time is yours. By writing every day, you will find that your mind is producing ideas in your “off time” so that when you sit down at your specified time you are able to be more productive.

Now that you have a few tips on fiction writing, why not begin writing that great novel that you have inside of you?