How to Write a fiction book in 12 Essential Steps - American Author House Blog
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How to Write a fiction book in 12 Essential Steps

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  • July 9, 2023
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  • 7 min read

Writing

Writing a fiction book can be a really rewarding and imaginative journey. It is always exciting to create your own world, crafting tales of adventure or mystery. So if you are one of those people who want to create something interesting, then this article is for you.

This article will tell you how to write a fiction book in 12 easy steps. Once you follow all these steps, you will be surprised at how easy it is to write a fiction book.

Create a Writer’s Attitude

The first very important thing you must do to write a fiction book which will also take a lot of time, is to create a writer’s attitude. With a lot of effort and commitment, you can eventually write a fiction book.

It’s tempting to see yourself in the same league as J.K. Rowling or Octavia Butler, two of the most successful authors of all time. However, every writer has a backstory of how they were once regular people who had to overcome obstacles.

So similarly, you need to overcome your obstacles and write a fiction book. Overcoming mental roadblocks, managing self-doubt, and cultivating a productive attitude are all essential initial steps in learning how to write a fiction book.

Create a corner to work

Your surroundings are the second important thing you must consider to write a fiction book. Your writing output is highly sensitive to the environment in which you choose to do your writing.

Discover places that inspire you to write your finest work.

Some may say they can write anywhere with paper and a pen. However, the environment we choose to write in significantly impacts our inspiration and productivity.

Make sure your major character stands out.

Now let’s come to the story, and the first thing to do when writing a fiction book is to think about the character. The protagonist, often known as the lead or the hero/heroine, is the main character in your story.

This primary character needs to transform, becoming more or less admirable as the story progresses. They must have the capacity for heroism, which is usually demonstrated in the novel’s climax.

Readers need to see human weaknesses in him so they can identify with him. Avoid the trap of trying to write an ideal introduction. Who can identify with flawlessness?

Your story’s adversary (or villain) should be as formidable and interesting as the protagonist. Just because he’s the evil guy doesn’t mean he has to be bad.

Develop your concept into a story.

True “Pantsers,” even some best-selling authors, don’t plot their stories in advance. The bad news is that even if you’re a pantser and enjoy writing as a discovery process, you still need a plan.

Here is what you can do (a simple small guide by the American Author House:

  • Have your protagonist immediately get into some sort of dire predicament
  • No matter what your protagonist does to remedy the situation, things worsen.
  • Until it seems like there’s no way out of his situation.
  • Your hero’s journey to escape the dire predicament will equip him with invaluable skills that will be invaluable in the long run.

Organize your story

There is no universally correct answer to how much preparation you should undertake before putting pen to paper.

Some authors believe that having a clear idea of where their story is headed before they begin writing is immensely helpful.

Choose a perspective

There are two more things to consider before putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), regardless of how much planning you undertake beforehand.

The first step is determining the perspective from which your narrative will be told. It’s better to figure this out beforehand rather than halfway through the novel, where it becomes a thankless chore.

Introduce Conflict and Tension

To keep your readers engaged, introduce conflicts that challenge your characters. This could be a clash between characters, a personal struggle, or an external force. Tension and obstacles drive the story forward, adding excitement and anticipation.

Develop Engaging Dialogue

Dialogue brings your characters to life and provides insight into their personalities. Use dialogue to reveal emotions, conflicts, and motivations. Ensure the conversations are realistic and move the story forward while considering the age group you are writing for.

Pace Your Story

Maintaining a balanced pace is crucial to keep readers hooked. Alternate between action-packed scenes and quieter moments for reflection. This will create a rhythm that keeps the story flowing smoothly.

Show, Don’t Tell

Instead of simply telling your readers what’s happening, use actions, emotions, and sensory details to show them.

Doing so creates a stronger connection between readers and your story, immersing them in the vibrant world you’ve crafted.

This approach allows readers to experience the story firsthand and sparks their imagination, making the reading experience more engaging and memorable.

Edit and Revise

After finishing your initial draft, it’s crucial to dedicate time to editing and revising. This step involves carefully checking for spelling and grammar mistakes, polishing your sentences, and ensuring your story flows smoothly.

Don’t hesitate to seek feedback from others, as it can provide valuable insights and fresh perspectives to improve your work. You’ll refine your book by putting effort into the editing process, making it more coherent and engaging for your readers.

Remember, the journey to a compelling story involves writing, revising, and perfecting your work.

Wrap Up Loose Ends

As you approach the conclusion of your book, it’s important to wrap up loose ends and answer any lingering questions. This final act brings a sense of closure and satisfaction to your readers. They will appreciate having a resolution to the various storylines and plot twists they’ve been following.

However, while tying everything together neatly, it’s also worth considering the possibility of leaving room for potential sequels or future adventures.

Doing so creates excitement and anticipation in your readers’ minds. They will be intrigued by the prospect of further exploring the world you’ve created and discovering new tales within it.

Balancing closure and the potential for future storytelling is a delicate art. It allows you to conclude your current book while paving the way for future possibilities. This approach satisfies your readers and keeps them engaged and eager for what’s to come.

Main Steps / Attributes and Elaborate Information

Step Description Additional Notes
Create a Writer’s Attitude Cultivate a productive attitude with effort and commitment. Overcome mental roadblocks and manage self-doubt.
Create a Corner to Work Find an inspiring environment that boosts your writing productivity. Choose a location that suits your creative process.
Make Your Main Character Stand Out Create a unique and relatable protagonist with the capacity for heroism. Ensure character development throughout the story.
Develop Your Concept into a Story Outline your story with a clear direction for characters and plot. Even ‘Pantsers’ need a basic plan for their story.
Organize Your Story Decide on the extent of planning needed for your story’s flow. Some authors prefer a detailed outline, others a looser plan.
Choose a Perspective Determine the narrative perspective before starting your story. Perspective greatly influences reader engagement.
Introduce Conflict and Tension Incorporate conflicts that challenge characters and add excitement. Tension keeps readers engaged and propels the narrative.
Develop Engaging Dialogue Use dialogue to reveal character emotions, conflicts, and motivations. Dialogue should be age-appropriate and advance the plot.
Pace Your Story Balance action scenes with moments of reflection for a smooth rhythm. Pacing is key to maintaining reader interest.
Show, Don’t Tell Use actions and sensory details to immerse readers in your story. Showing creates a deeper connection with the reader.
Edit and Revise Dedicate time to refining your story and seek feedback for improvement. Editing is crucial for a polished and coherent narrative.
Wrap Up Loose Ends Provide closure to storylines while leaving potential for future tales. Concluding a book satisfyingly is an art in itself.

Conclusion

Writing a fiction book is a magical process that allows you to unleash your creativity and captivate readers with your imagination. Following these 12 essential steps, you can embark on a thrilling adventure of your creation.

Remember, the power to bring stories to life lies within you. So, let your imagination run wild and start writing your very own masterpiece today!

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