Page 32 - 2019 March Voices

FIELD NOTES

A Roadmap Through Your First Novel

Mallory Searcy

Maybe you’re reading this because you’re interested When it comes to designing your plot, it’s

in writing your first novel, but you aren’t sure how important to make sure you’re hitting all the
to turn your exciting ideas into a concrete, finished structural plot points. Every novel or movie
project. Unlike some other creative mediums, fiction (as long as it’s a fictional story as opposed to a
writing involves a logistical structure and some documentary or nonfiction memoir) follows an

objective standards and guidelines, which you’ve arc of five key points. You can see these points
got to understand in order to get to the finish line. If for yourself next time you read a novel or watch
you’re stuck with how to proceed with finishing your a film, regardless of genre or audience. There’s
first novel, but you’re sick of all the vague advice like no rules or formula for what specific things have

“push past the writers’ block” and “ just follow your to be included at these points, but there is a rule
heart,” then this article is for you. and formula for what roles those points play, and
The first and most basic step is, if you haven’t at the right timelines.
already, read at least a few books (preferably
more) in the type of genre you’re writing. Plot Point 1

Understand what current books are popular and This occurs at about 20-25% through the
why; get an idea of the tropes and stereotypes of story, and is what kicks off your novel into its
your genre, so you’ll know what’s good to include main arc. Before this point, the character was

and to avoid, and what types of cliches you can dealing with their normal, and with the start of
subvert for a more original angle. It’s also good the chain of events that changes their situation.
to understand narration style and voice. For At 20-25%, the situation has now been changed,
instance, if you’re writing a YA (young adult) and the direction and stakes have been set for

novel, you’ll want a good grasp of how realistic the rest of the story. For example, in the first
teens talk and interact with each other. You’ll also Harry Potter book, Plot Point 1 is where Harry
need to know the target word count ranges for arrives at Hogwarts.
your genre. Novel length is measured by word

count, and one page is roughly 500 words. Young Midpoint at 50%
adult sci-fi/fantasy novels generally range from Halfway through the novel, the character
75,000-100,000 words, while a cozy mystery or becomes much more proactive. In the first half,
romance can clock in around 60,000. they’re experiencing changes and dealing with

32 ONE COMMUNITY