Unveiling the Secrets: How to Craft a Bestselling Novel from Manuscript to Masterpiece

Writing a novel is a little more than just putting words down on a page in a certain order and hoping for the best. There are certain elements that must be included in your story that will help you craft your best-selling novel.

When I wrote my first book, I thought all I had to do was follow the sequence of events of how my character gets from point A to point B, but I wish someone had been there to tell me exactly what my story needed.

Know that I know, it's time for me to share it with you. 

Finding Your Story's Backbone

One of the key elements of a bestselling novel is a compelling plot that keeps readers hooked from the very first page of your novel to the very last page. In order to create a strong plot, you need to start by identifying the core of your story. 

What does your character want and what is standing in their way? 

Use plotting techniques such as outlining, storyboarding, or mind mapping to structure your story effectively. This will provide a solid backbone for your novel whether you are a panster or a plotter, knowing your story before you begin will eliminate the amount of editing you have to do in the end and help your story stay on track. 

Breathing Life into Characters

Characters are the heart and soul of any novel, without them, you have no story. Develop your protagonists and antagonists with depth and complexity, making them relatable and three-dimensional. You need your readers to be connected to your characters as if they are a friend they are rooting for not just a piece of paper. Explore their desires, fears, and motivations to create well-rounded characters. Consider their backgrounds, strengths, and flaws to make them believable and memorable. 

The Art of Worldbuilding

Just because you are writing a contemporary romance does not mean you don't have to do the same amount of world-building as those who are writing epic fantasy novels. 

Worldbuilding is as it sounds, the worlds you are building around your character whether it's a sleepy town in a mountain valley or a castle high in a magical realm, your readers need to know the world of your characters. 

Craft vivid and detailed settings that transport readers into your story, adding cultural aspects, geography, history, and unique elements will make your world come alive. 

Dialogue that Dazzles

Dialogue is a necessary element in your novel. I've never read a story before that doesn't have dialogue in it, but if you know of any let me know and I'll check them out! 

Dialogue is a powerful tool for revealing character traits, advancing the plot, and creating tension. 

Keep dialogue authentic and realistic like your characters, and just like they are unique so should their manner of speaking, tone, and styles.  

Editing Like a Pro

Yes, you can hire an editor to work on your novel, but you will save yourself the heartache of receiving back a novel mostly underlined in red and possibly save you a few hundred dollars in editor fees (yes with both self and traditional publishing) if you give your novel your own few lookovers. 

Review your work for clarity, consistency, grammar, and overall story structure. 

Now is the time to pass your work off to beta readers or critique partners to receive feedback and insights followed by another round of editing to get your novel to the best it can possibly be before publication or submission.

Navigating the Publishing Journey

Now that you're novel is edited to the best of your (and a professional's) ability, it's time to decide just how you're going to publish your work.

Are you looking to publish traditionally through an agent and publishing company or are you taking the route of self-publishing to retain complete control over your work? 

Carefully consider the pros and cons of either choice so that you are making the best one for you. 

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Writing a novel is an amazing feat and if you've accomplished it or are just starting out on your journey you should be proud of yourself every step of the way. 

You'll have up and down days as you move through the steps of putting that first word onto the page all the way to the days past publication, but as long as you keep practicing, and keep reading, you'll persevere through anything. 

Now get to writing.

With love, 

B. King xo xo

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