1. Write about something you are familiar with. The best fiction is composed on a subject that the author is passionate about or has some personal familiarity with. Some of the world’s most famous authors began by writing about the people around them, their friends and family. If an author is passionate towards a particular subject this will be communicated to the audiences.

 

2. Develop the characters first. A good technique is to develop the character of the protagonist and the central characters first, which will then make the writing process later much easier. The characters need a back story, personality, appearance and motivation. In classic and modern fiction, stories are frequently centered on the personal arc of the protagonist or ‘heroes journey’, beginning with a goal or objective they wish to achieve. Creating central characters with strong motivation is important in developing  a story framework with dramatic stakes.

 

3. Identify yourself with the genre. If your novel is concentrated on a specific genre or theme, don’t make the mistake of being to generalised. The most effective forays into genre writing are produced when the text is appropriate to the setting. This includes culture, customs, language, idioms and world building. Try and create a world that will appeal to enthusiasts of that genre. What is interesting and fascinating to fans of science fiction, may not be as enticing to people who prefer romance.

 

4. Create a story structure. This begins with developing an outline summary of the main plot and story arcs, which sets out the primary events of the narrative. Don’t forget to include a framework in which the content reveals more to the audience and increases in intensity as the story progresses. Every important scene should be included in the outline summary.

 

5. Create dramatic tension. In general, narrative in fiction should place the characters in situations which will result in their growth and evolution over time. An effective approach is to create scenes in which the characters are forced to make a choice, or at least, necessitates a change. Stories that focus on protagonists and characters that change over time create intriguing avenues to explore and develop further. Remember, to be interesting fiction needs to pay attention to personal conflict and individual growth.