Even under regular circumstances, authors sometimes look over the pages of their novel and realize something happened to their inspiration. The book seems to be going nowhere. It’s lost its punch and seems to be mundane. While some of it is great, you’ve found portions that are lackluster. Instead of giving up, take steps to rev the motor and add zip to the stalled novel.
Take A Break
If you’ve been working on the story for weeks, even months, your mind is saturated with the plot and the characters. Set the manuscript aside. Take a vacation. Work on a new project. The important action is to stop thinking about the story and characters. Allow your mind to move in other directions. Sometimes stepping away from a project and returning a later will give you a fresh perspective. In the lapse you can identify where the novel is weak. Do you need more action? More hooks? Deeper characterization? Is the dialogue dull? Use colored highlights or symbols in the margin to indicate where and what you need to add, change, or cut. Once through the manuscript, you will have a better idea what’s needed and how you can get the novel back in the race.
Try Fresh Eyes Besides Yours
Another new perspective is finding an avid reader who loves your genre Instead of a critique, ask your friend, acquaintance or family member to read the story and make notes in the margin where the story drags, when they don’t care about the characters, when they feel no concern or emotion, when they long for the good part. These notes from fresh eyes can be invaluable to provide ideas on how to make it sparkle.
Scrutinize The Story
Authors are inspired by a story idea. The plot forms around the purpose for writing the book—to show how trust is a must in any relationship, to show that happiness is internal and not external, or demonstrate the strength of a mother or father’s love. Novels come with a purpose, a message, a lesson, a truth. Review your novel by scenes and ask if the scene moves the story forward toward its purpose and the character’s goal.
Authors are inspired by a story idea. The plot forms around the purpose for writing the book—to show how trust is a must in any relationship, to show that happiness is internal and not external, or demonstrate the strength of a mother or father’s love. Novels come with a purpose, a message, a lesson, a truth. Review your novel by scenes and ask if the scene moves the story forward toward its purpose and the character’s goal.
Search for Weaknesses
Most authors know what techniques or elements of fiction are their weakest. If dialogue is a problem, dissect the conversations between characters and cut the go-nowhere verbiage. Unimportant dialogue doesn’t move the plot forward. If descriptions are a weakness, make sure scenes come to life in a vivid surrounding by meaningful description through character action or introspection. She set the teacup on the saucer, kicking herself for agreeing to meet Milly in a stupid teashop. You know where the scene is set and character’s attitude.
These are only a few of the techniques you can use to improve your novel, and remember though everyone loves food, you can’t build a plot around it.
Most authors know what techniques or elements of fiction are their weakest. If dialogue is a problem, dissect the conversations between characters and cut the go-nowhere verbiage. Unimportant dialogue doesn’t move the plot forward. If descriptions are a weakness, make sure scenes come to life in a vivid surrounding by meaningful description through character action or introspection. She set the teacup on the saucer, kicking herself for agreeing to meet Milly in a stupid teashop. You know where the scene is set and character’s attitude.
These are only a few of the techniques you can use to improve your novel, and remember though everyone loves food, you can’t build a plot around it.
Multi-award-winning novelist, Gail Gaymer Martin is the author of contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and women’s fiction with 52 contracted novels and over 3-1/2 million books in print. Her novels have received several national awards, including: the ACFW Carol Award and RT Reviewer’s Choice Award. CBS local news listed Gail as one of the four best writers in the Detroit area. Gail is the author of Writer Digest’s Writing the Christian Romance. She is a cofounder of American Christian Fiction Writers and serves on their Executive Board. Gail is a member of Advanced Speakers and Writers (ACFW) as well as Christian Authors Network (CAN) and is a keynote speaker at churches, civic and business organizations and is a workshop presenter at conferences across the U.S. Gail lives in Michigan with her husband.. Visit her at:
Website at www.gailgaymermartin.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gail.g.martin.3
Twitter: http://twitter.com/GailGMartin
GoodReads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/83354.Gail_Gaymer_Martin
The Firefighter's New Family
Love Inspired - January release in stores in mid-December
This is Book #2 in the Sisters Series (Book #1 Her Valentine Hero)
Website at www.gailgaymermartin.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gail.g.martin.3
Twitter: http://twitter.com/GailGMartin
GoodReads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/83354.Gail_Gaymer_Martin
The Firefighter's New Family
Love Inspired - January release in stores in mid-December
A tornado may have left Ashley Kern injured beneath a fallen tree, but it’s her rescuer who plays havoc with her emotions. Firefighter Devon Murphy is everything the single mom could wish for in a husband: handsome, a doting father and ready to join his family to hers. But how can the pretty war widow make a life once more with a man whose career is full of danger? Devon has fought some pretty big battles in his life, but can he help Ashley conquer her fears and show her the safest place of all is in his arms?
