Manuel is a passionate, driven, and techsavvy AV technician, Is there anything more fulfilling and irritating than writing a fiction novel? It’s a lengthy and demanding task, but these 5 tips on fiction writing can make it a little less painful.
- Get Ideas – Creative inspirations can come from anywhere. Don’t get caught up in the belief that the ideas should form a complete novel immediately.
One way to generate fresh ideas is to use a set of five to ten random words and then create a passage using all those words. You might be surprised where it leads!
- Outline – There are several definite benefits to outlining a fiction story. Most importantly, it helps you know what comes next at every stage of the process. By creating an outline, you can address story issues before you even start writing. Another great thing about outlining a novel is that there’s no one right way to do it. You can outline your project using headings and subheadings, create a simple checklist, use index cards (one for each scene), or even post-its.
- Find the Holes and Fill Them – Step away from your project for a few days. When you come back, review your outline. Take off your “writer” hat and put on your “reader” hat. Study the outline and make sure you have answered any questions a reader might have about your story. Why is this happening? Why does the character respond this way? When you identify the gaps, brainstorm ways to fill them.
- Think Outside the Box – You may know many different aspects of your project inside and out, but that first section has you stumped. You might spend days staring at a blank page, struggling to find the “perfect” opening. So stop! Pick any element you want and just write it.
- Write Every Day – To be a writer, you need to write. To be a successful writer, you need to write every day. Carve out some time each day to dedicate to writing. It can be challenging with a “real job,” partner and children, and other responsibilities, but you need to defend your writing time and communicate to your loved ones that this time is yours. By writing daily and sticking to a scheduled time, you’ll become more productive.
Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME
