CHOOSING YOUR BOOK IDEA

Perhaps, if you are reading this free course material, you already have an idea for a novel. If this is so, you do not need to read this section and can move on to the “Book Planning” section. If, however, you are interested in writing and don’t have a specific idea for a novel yet, this section will be helpful to you.

There are many genres in fiction writing to choose from. There is romance, horror, fantasy, mystery, science fiction and westerns. Most people who read fiction have one or two favorite genres and favorite authors who write those genres and, when a genre is chosen for writing, it is usually one that person prefers to read. This is definitely a great place to start.

Being familiar with a specific genre is important in writing. Each genre has unspoken rules or a type of honor code between authors and readers. In romance, an unspoken rule is a guarantee that something horrible will befall the hero or heroine in the novel, possibly both, but you still don’t know if these characters will survive. In science fiction, an unspoken rule is that the reader will enjoy a form of technology that they’ve not come across previously and, more than likely, interesting creatures. In horror, an unspoken rule is that the author will scare the reader to the best of their ability, but that there will be some unexpected twists and turns. Fulfilling these unspoken rules (and these are just a few) is what makes certain writers guaranteed to be on the best seller list.

If you are considering writing a science fiction novel, but have never read a science fiction book, my suggestion is that you spend at least a year reading as many science fiction novels as you can get your hands on before attempting to write. It is important that you know your chosen genre well.

If you already have a preferred genre or two and are extremely well read in these areas, then finding an idea for a novel is the next step. With the advent of the internet, this is actually very easy, though it may take you awhile to research.

If you are interested in writing horror, there are millions of sites dealing with true murder cases, paranormal issues, crypto zoology (Bigfoot and such), and any manner of creature you might wish to put in your novel that’s been in existence either in folklore or in fact.

If you are interested in writing romance, there are websites for dating, websites sharing true love stories, and historical romance stories.

News sites will give incredible ideas for science fiction especially in the area of technology.

The idea search is only as limited as your imagination. All you need to do is sit down and search. An idea will come to you and, if you are well read in the genre you have chosen, you will know if the idea you come up with is unique and original and how it will compare to what is already out there.

Of course, don’t forget about the other ways writers use to come up with novel ideas before the internet. There were newspapers, magazines, listening to conversations, your dreams, things you’ve experienced in your lifetime, and moments during watching movies when you think that you could have done a better job on that particular movie.

Observe what goes on around you – in the morning at home, on your commute to work, while at work, during lunch, at quitting time, at the grocery store, post office, school concerts, etc. If you have children, asked them what they’re learning in school. You might be surprised with what they come up with.

Keep a small notebook with you at all times to jot down ideas as they come to you. You could also use a small tape recorder or your laptop if you have one, but usually a small notebook is much quicker.

Never write off anything that happens in your life or around you as a possible idea. You could be the author of the next best seller!

Once you’ve figured out an idea, move onto the “Book Planning” section to figure out what to do next.