What is Novel Writing?

How long should your book be? It’s a deceptively simple question that trips up more writers than you’d think. Whether crafting a fast-paced thriller, a sweeping fantasy, or a heartfelt memoir, the ideal word count isn’t just about page numbers—it’s about reader expectations, publishing standards, and the type of story you want to tell. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but understanding standard word count ranges can save you from major rewrites....

The novel is one of the most popular and enduring forms of literary fiction, captivating readers for centuries. But what is a novel? At its core, a novel is a lengthy narrative written in prose fiction that explores fictional characters, settings, and human experience. This literary form has evolved, incorporating various themes, styles, and genres, making it an indispensable part of literature.  The modern novel reflects the complexities of human...

A novel outline is a map for your story, highlighting the main events along the way. It captures the building blocks—plot, characters, scenes—and lays them out in a structure you can follow, shift, and build on. Done well, it turns a vague idea into a working blueprint.  Outlining doesn’t replace writing but makes it more focused. The outlining process doesn’t have to be rigid or exhaustive—just structured enough to give...

Have you ever found yourself glued to a book or unable to tear your eyes away from the screen during a movie? Chances are, plot points have caught you up in their whirlwind. But what exactly are these mysterious elements that keep us hooked?  The term “plot” refers to both the storyline and its progression, including the occurrences and changes during the story’s timeline. It also refers to specific events...

Nanowrimo sees budding writers all over the world set themselves the task of writing a novel of at least 50,000 words in a month – that of November. For writers, Nanowrimo is a great chance to try new things – the pace of the challenge forces you to take some risks. Nonetheless, it’s worth setting out with some idea of potential writing mistakes, especially if this is your first Nanowrimo...

Fantasy is about immersive worlds and unforgettable characters. It draws readers into places that feel as real as our own. A well-told fantasy casts a spell—one that makes readers believe in worlds that don’t exist… until they do. Writing a fantasy novel can feel overwhelming, like holding a thousand puzzle pieces from ten different worlds. Where do you even begin? Do you start with a map? A prophecy? A sword-wielding...

While some stories focus entirely on only one or two characters, most have several that are present throughout the story. The main character is, of course, the biggest focus. And a flat character does not carry as much importance. Becoming familiar with the workings of a flat character is essential in knowing how to write a novel. Familiarizing yourself with examples will help you learn how to become a better...

A novel structure has to do with the story and the plot –the way the action unfolds, peaks, and resolves. It comprises the content of a story and the form used to tell the story. Writing a novel tends to be a hard task if you don’t have the right resources at hand. When you feel you have an excellent idea for a story, the preceding line of thought should...

Embarking on the journey of writing a novel is an exciting endeavor, but it’s not just about putting words on paper.  Before you dive into the story, there are essential steps to lay the groundwork.  From gathering inspiration to mapping out characters and plotlines, each stage is crucial in shaping your narrative.  Making a good first impression is important to any area of life including your novel. Knowing how to...

More often than not, the terms ‘Novel’ and ‘Book’ are used interchangeably by most people, and their true meanings are eluded in the process. Many do not usually consider the semantics of these words. Semantics involves the literal and connotative meaning of terms in a language. There is a need to establish the meaning of both of these words before trying to differentiate them. Hence, the topic Novel vs Book....

Mystery is one of the most intriguing genres in literature. While many people try their hand at writing this genre, few know how to do it successfully. To write a great mystery novel is to assemble a puzzle where each piece hints at a part of the truth but keeps the whole picture out of reach until the final page. It involves drawing readers into a world filled with secrets,...

NaNoWriMo is a fantastic program that has been around since 1999. In addition, they have made the Nanowrimo YWP (Young Writers Program). This branch of Nanowrimo challenges and encourages young writers specifically. It gets them on the path of learning how to write a book. They are challenged to write 50,000 words in one month. It sounds like a crazy venture, but many thousands of people complete the objective each...