I hope the first part of the article inspired you in your writing project. In the second part, I will delve further into practical fiction tips, tools, and techniques that I learned while writing the Traitors Trilogy. I will take you to the next level; and give you a unique structure that will open up your mind and keep you writing until your first draft is done.

When I started writing, 75% of my writing time was spent staring into space, not typing anything at all. It shocked me; that I didn’t have a glimmering idea in my head. However, I didn’t give up. I put pen to paper anyhow; I jotted down whatever came to mind. I overcame my fear and gained more flows from my mind onto the computer screen.

“The task of a writer consists of being able to make something out of an idea.” — Thomas Mann

A good idea engages the reader on both the emotional and imaginative levels. But how do you craft a compelling novel that appeals to readers on these levels? I learned there are some crucial elements one needs to know in order to write an engaging fiction novel.

Writing is hard. You must ask yourself, is the idea plausible? Does the story make sense? Do your characters seem real, and does everything flow logically? Have the courage to finish writing your book and share a piece of yourself with the world. Nine significant elements helped me strengthen my writing. These elements will guide you in developing your creative craft. You will know when it is right and if you go wrong; you will understand how to fix it.

9 Major Points To Help You Become A Better Writer

1. Be Original. Craft a unique story, a novel you would love to read yourself. Remember, it is the exceptional execution of your writing that sets you apart from the crowd. Don’t fall in the trap of doing what others have done before. Give the reader something different, something new. Create a riveting tale that will capture the hearts and imagination of potential readers. Make it a literary gem that they will never forget. It should ring true, reflect reality, and feel authentic to the human condition. Offer readers a reading experienced that will make them recommend your book to friends.

2. Setting Gives Depth. Nothing happens in a vacuum. Setting is the backdrop in which the story or scenes occur. It includes time, space, weather, geographical location, and social surroundings. It gives the story a sense of place, influences the behavior of the characters, affects dialogue, provokes an emotional response, and reflects on the social circumstances in which the characters live. It helps the reader visualize and experiences the mood and tone of the story.

3. Use The Five Senses. When you write, show but don’t tell. There are several tricks on how you do this, and using the sensory details of the five senses, is one of them. It helps you drop the reader into your story. Consider using sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch to enhance the readers’ experience.

4. A Plot That …” Tests”… The Leading Character In Numerous Ways. Give the main character multiple problems. Build tension using both external and internal conflict. External conflict is when the main character is struggling against the antagonist, while at the same time, dealing with an internal problem. Internal conflict is the inner struggle a character faces in a situation where she has to make difficult decisions that will affect her life. She faces a dilemma and continually questions her selfish or selfless impulses. The external conflict should be big enough to last a full novel. The internal strife is expertly weaved in the text so that the middle chapters are as exciting as the first and last chapter.

5. Motivated Characters. Characters are the tools that move your story. Give your characters motivation and enough drive to do what they do. As a writer; it is vital to immerse yourself into your characters. Put yourself in the positions of your characters, and let their perspective resonate with yours. Put them in stressful situations and think about how they would react. Concentrate on their growth and how they evolve in the entire story.

6. Authentic And Realistic Dialogue. Write dialogue that moves the plot forward. Avoid empty words that don’t advance the story. Make your characters sound real and remember when real people talk, there is always something else going on in the scene. Someone may yawn because she is tired or looks out of the window because he is admiring the view. Your characters should epitomize these human traits so; they come alive on the page. Body language is another powerful tool you can use to communicate the feelings of your characters.

7. Build Suspense. Create dramatic tension and suspense. Give readers an inkling of impending danger or a murder. Build anticipation about what might happen next without telling it in a long narrative. This technique is known as foreshadowing, and it pulls the reader into the reality of your story. Paint a picture by using short descriptions mixed with sizzling dialogue, and both subtle and direct foreshadowing. Backstories should be quick and brief just for purposes of clarifying events that happened before the story started.

8. A Good Balance Between Narrative And Dialogue. Don’t bore readers with long chapters of description. Create a right balance between the narration, dialogue, foreshadowing, and backstory.

9. A Theme To Explore. What is the theme of your story, the underlying message or big idea you are trying to convey to your readers? A book may be appealing and exciting, but without the universal human connection, it will not engage readers in any meaningful way. A good book should have a central element that lingers throughout the story from beginning to end. It can be directly stated or subtly embedded in the text and left for the reader to interpret. In short, a theme is an important lesson learned by the characters from the story. The reader too learns something since it gives him a new perspective about the human condition. Choose your theme carefully. Pick a compelling topic that interests you and connects with your potential readers. Most books explore themes such as injustice, corruption, greed, betrayal, isolation, and more.

A strong concept will obsess you to write a gripping novel.

In Love and Light,

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