StoryCraft Novel Challenge Day 4: Make sure you’re writing the book ONLY YOU can write
For the StoryCraft Novel Challenge, we’re developing a book that is strong both in terms of style and in terms of market, and part of this is baked in authenticity. When we write authentically, we make sure our book is unique. Readers will come to you for the novels only you can write.
You’ve probably heard the axiom “Write what you know,” and this is partially true. Infusing the elements of your own life and experiences into your work is a great way to give your world, characters, and plot a life of their own. Our unique experiences are what make us human, and when a writer has layered their stories with fragments of truth, it makes for a compelling and rewarding reading experience.
Equally true is the reverse, “Know what you write.” We’re not necessarily confined into boxes designed around our identities, though we do need to take care to be respectful of identities that are not our own. Research is so important, especially if you’re writing a historical piece or a character who comes from a specific background, like a detective.
The reader needs to be able to trust that the world you are unveiling in your story is consistent, true, and authentic. If, at any point, you offer details that are inconsistent, you’ll lose that trust, and then you’ll lose the reader. We need to respect our readers and respect our stories.
Questions to ask yourself before writing this book include:
What life experiences have you been through that are unique?
Which jobs have you worked and how could you infuse that knowledge into your characters?
What is your family background and how do those details play into the themes of your novel?
What are your interests, and what makes you excited to write?
There are no hard rules about the stories you get to write, but readers will always gravitate more toward an authentic story. Part of the joy of the reading experience is escaping our own lives and diving into someone else’s, so don’t be afraid to give your readers elements from your own. While they may seem mundane to you, they could be fascinating to someone else who’s never experienced that world before.
Happy Writing,
Jess and L Theodoora