Writing a novel is a bit like eating an Indian banquet – it may seem a fantastic idea to begin with but very few people manage to keep on going all the way to the end. Lots of people don’t even get much further than the ‘thinking about it’ stage. So if you’ve already taken on the challenge and managed to keep your story going beyond a few thousand words, you’re already doing really well. Here are a few tips on how you can keep your novel moving forwards. 1. Try to write a little bit every day. If you can, set aside a little time each day to do your writing. That way, your story and characters will stay fresh in your mind. Novels are so long and complicated that it can be difficult to remember details if you aren’t thinking about it regularly. 2. Switch the internet off. Shock. Horror. It’s hard I know but it’s soooo hard to concentrate when all it takes is one click and you’re back on Facebook. Turn it off! 3. Really get to know your characters. The more you know your characters, the easier you’ll find it to write about them. Try asking yourselves a few questions about them. What is their favourite food? What was the last book they read? Name three things that they carry in their bag. Although these may be details that you never use in your story, it helps you to get an idea of WHO they really are. 4. Listen to how people speak. Believable dialogue is an important part of any novel. All it takes is a little bit of nosy listening! Next time you’re on the bus or at school or in a café, really pay attention to HOW people speak. You’ll notice that lots of people have their own individual way of speaking. It’s these little details which can really make a character come alive. In Lottie Biggs is Not Tragic, Mr Davies, the RE teacher, has a very distinctive speaking style which makes him instantly recognisable. Doesn’t he? Hmmm? Think about it. Hmmm? He…. is…. unique. Hmmm? 5. Try to avoid clichés. There’s not much point writing ‘He was feeling as miserable as sin,’ or ‘She is as good as gold,’ because these phrases have been written a million times before. Try expressing things in a new way. Like, ‘He had a face like a half-chewed chip,’ or ‘She’s top of the pops at everything.’ 6. Read books! … and try reading different types of books occasionally. The more that you read, the better you will write. I promise! Good luck ;-) Hayley Long is a YA author who has written the Lottie Biggs series, she lives in Norwich and teaches English at Paston Sixth-Form College in Norfolk.
