Where Do I Start with Writing a Novel?

A Comprehensive Guide to Storyboarding, Outlining, Character Arching, and Crafting Engaging Hooks

Embarking on a journey of novel writing can be both exhilarating and daunting. As an author who has successfully navigated this path with my Saga of Hasting the Avenger series, I understand the importance of laying a solid foundation for your storytelling. In this post, I'll share my insights on where to begin with writing a novel by delving into essential aspects such as storyboarding, outlining, character arching, and crafting engaging hooks and openings. By demystifying these critical components, you'll be well-equipped to start your epic writing adventure and bring your captivating stories to life.

Storyboarding

What is Storyboarding? 

Storyboarding is a creative technique writers, filmmakers, and other visual storytellers use to represent and organize a story's critical events visually. By laying out scenes or plot points in a sequential manner, storyboarding helps you gain a clearer understanding of the structure and progression of your narrative.

Why Use a Storyboard for Novel Planning?

Visualizing plot progression: A storyboard allows you to see the flow of your story and how its elements connect. This helps you create a well-paced narrative that keeps your readers engaged. 

Identifying plot holes and inconsistencies: By visually laying out your story, you can more easily spot gaps or discrepancies in your plot, enabling you to address these issues before diving into the writing process.

How to Storyboard Your Novel 

Identify key plot points: List the most critical events in your story. These could include significant turning points, conflicts, and resolutions.

Arrange plot points in a logical sequence: Once you have your crucial plot points, arrange them in the order they will appear in your story, ensuring a logical progression that builds tension and keeps readers engaged. 

Use visual aids to represent plot points: Translate your plot points into visual representations using sticky notes, index cards, or digital tools. This will make moving and rearranging plot points easier as you refine your story's structure.

Tips for Effective Storyboarding

Keep it flexible: Remember that your storyboard is a work in progress. Feel free to rearrange or modify plot points as your story evolves.

Include character development: Incorporate critical moments of character growth or transformation in your storyboard to ensure your characters remain central to the narrative.

Consider subplots: If your novel includes subplots, integrate them into your storyboard, weaving them seamlessly into the main narrative. 

Revisit your storyboard: As you write your novel, refer back to your storyboard to ensure you stay on track and maintain consistency throughout your story.

Check out this video about how to storyboard to keep the story engaging and on track. 

Outlining

The Role of Outlining in Novel Writing 

Outlining is an essential step in the novel-writing process that helps you organize your thoughts and ideas, ensuring your story has a strong and coherent structure. It serves as a blueprint for your novel, allowing you to see the bigger picture and focus on your narrative's critical elements.

Types of Outlines 

Outlines can take various forms, depending on your personal preferences and the level of detail you want to include. Some common types of outlines are: 

1. Skeletal outlines: These provide a basic overview of your story, including the main plot points and a summary of each chapter or scene. 

2. Detailed outlines: These go deeper, providing more information about characters, settings, and critical events within each chapter or scene. 

3. Scene-by-scene outlines: These break your story into individual scenes, clearly showing how the narrative unfolds.

How to Outline Your Novel 

Determine the main plot and subplots: Begin by identifying the primary and secondary storylines or subplots that will run parallel to or intersect with the main story.

Break the story into chapters or scenes: Divide your story into manageable sections, such as chapters or scenes, to create a clear framework for your narrative. 

Describe each chapter or scene briefly: For each chapter or scene, write a summary that highlights the key events, characters, and settings involved. This will give you a clear sense of the purpose and direction of each section of your story.

Tips for Successful Outlining

Be flexible: Remember that your outline is a guide, not a rigid framework. Be open to making changes and adjustments as your story evolves and new ideas emerge. 

Stay focused on your story's core elements: Keep your outline centered on the primary plot and character arcs to ensure a cohesive and engaging narrative.

Use your outline as a reference: As you write your novel, refer back to your outline at regular inverals to help you stay on track and maintain consistency throughout your story. 

Experiment with different outlining methods: Try different outlines to find the one that works best for you and your writing style.

Character Development

Importance of Well-Developed Characters in Storytelling 

Compelling and relatable characters are at the heart of any successful story. Readers want to invest in the lives of your characters, rooting for their successes and empathizing with their struggles. Developing rich, three-dimensional characters is essential to creating a story that resonates with readers and leaves a lasting impact.

Character Archetypes and Their Roles in the Story 

Character archetypes are recurring patterns of characters that play specific roles in the narrative. These archetypes, such as the hero, the mentor, or the antagonist, can help shape your story by providing a framework for character development and interactions.

Want vs. Need Writing in Character Development 

One crucial aspect of character development is understanding and incorporating the concept of "want" versus "need." Characters often have a strong desire or goal they are striving for (their "want"). At the same time, they have an underlying emotional or psychological need that must be met for them to grow and change (their "need"). Balancing and addressing these elements can produce more complex, realistic characters that readers can connect with. I will address this point in more detail in a later article.

Steps to Create a Character Arc

Establish the character's background and motivations: Begin by exploring the character's backstory, including their experiences, values, and beliefs, which drive their actions and decisions throughout the story.

Define the character's goals and obstacles: Identify the character's primary "want" and the challenges or conflicts they must overcome to achieve it. Consider how their "need" may conflict with or complement their "want." 

Map out the character's emotional and personal growth: Determine how your character will change and grow throughout the story as they confront obstacles, make choices, and ultimately fulfill their "need."

Tips for Crafting Compelling Character Arcs 

Ensure consistency in characterization: Ensure your characters' actions and decisions align with their established backgrounds, motivations, and personalities.

Allow characters to evolve naturally: Give your characters room to grow and change throughout the story, reflecting their experiences and the lessons they learn. 

Show, don't tell: Use actions, dialogue, and interactions to reveal your characters' emotions, motivations, and growth rather than simply telling the reader what they think or feel.

Create dynamic relationships between characters: Develop meaningful connections and conflicts between characters, which can drive the story forward and enhance character development.

Writing the Novel Hook and Opening

The Significance of a Strong Hook and Opening 

The hook and opening of your novel are crucial for capturing your reader's attention and enticing them to continue reading. A compelling theme generates intrigue and curiosity. An engaging opening sets the tone and immerses the reader in your story's world. Together, these elements lay the foundation for a captivating narrative that keeps your audience invested in your characters and their journey.

Elements of an Engaging Hook 

A compelling hook should include several key components: 

Intrigue and curiosity: Pique the reader's interest by presenting a unique premise, a compelling question, or a surprising twist. 

Emotional resonance: Evoke an emotional response from the reader by connecting with their fears, desires, or dreams. 

Unique and compelling concept: Set your story apart by introducing a fresh, original idea that captures the reader's imagination.

Crafting an Enticing Opening Scene 

To create an immersive and captivating opening scene, consider the following steps: 

Set the tone and atmosphere: Use vivid descriptions and sensory details to establish the mood, setting, and atmosphere of your story, drawing readers into your narrative world. 

Introduce critical characters and their motivations: Present your protagonist and other essential characters in a way that reveals their personalities, desires, and conflicts, encouraging readers to become invested in their journey. 

Establish the central conflict or question: Introduce the primary challenge or mystery that drives your story, giving your readers a reason to continue turning the pages.

Tips for Writing a Captivating Hook and Opening

Start with action or conflict: Begin your story with a scene that immediately engages the reader, whether through physical action, emotional tension, or a dramatic confrontation. 

Avoid excessive exposition: While some background information may be necessary, weave it into your narrative naturally rather than overwhelming the reader with lengthy explanations. Trust your readers to put things together!

Be mindful of pacing: Ensure your opening scene moves at a pace that maintains the reader's interest while providing enough detail to set the stage for the rest of the story. 

Revise and refine: Don't be afraid to revisit and revise your hook and opening as you develop your story further, ensuring they remain engaging and relevant to the overall narrative.

Wrap-Up

In conclusion, starting your novel-writing journey can be both exciting and challenging, but by utilizing essential techniques such as storyboarding, outlining, character development, and crafting a captivating hook and opening, you'll be well on your way to creating a compelling and engaging story. Drawing from my own experiences with the Saga of Hasting the Avenger series, I can attest to the importance of a strong foundation in these areas. Remember to stay flexible, be open to revisions, and trust in your creativity as you embark on your epic writing adventure. With persistence, passion, and dedication, you'll transform your unique ideas into a literary masterpiece that resonates with readers and leaves a lasting impression.

As I mentioned, I will do a deep dive into several of the concepts evoked in this post, so please be sure to subscribe so we can look at those together.