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One of the big differences between a pedestrian novel and a riveting one can be the clever little quips, concepts, snippets of dialog, and fresh metaphors.<\/p>\n
But coming up with this material on the fly is a difficult chore, and sometimes next to impossible. Fortunately, you can overcome this problem simply by keeping a daily log of interesting tidbits. Each and every day, many intriguing moments cross our paths. Some are notions we come up with on our own; others we simply observe. Since a novel takes a considerable amount of time to write, you are bound to encounter a whole grab bag of tidbits by the time you finish your first draft.<\/p>\n
Then, for the second draft, you refer to all that material and drop it in wherever you can to liven up the narrative. You may find that it makes some characters more charismatic, or gives others, who have remained largely silent, something to say. You may discover an opportunity for a sub-plot, a thematic discourse, or the opportunity to get on your soapbox.<\/p>\n
Depending on your situation, you can jot down these tasty treats on a notepad, phone, tablet, or even on your laptop at the bottom of the draft you are working on before it fades from memory.\u00a0 That’s what I usually do because it allows me to work some of the material into my\u00a0 novel while I\u2019m writing it. For example, here are a few tidbits at the bottom of the novel I\u2019m developing right now:<\/p>\n
A line of dialog:<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cAre you confused yet? No? Let me continue\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n A silly comment:<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cNone of the victims was seriously hurt.\u201d Yeah \u2013 they were all hurt in a very funny way.<\/p>\n A character name:<\/em><\/p>\n Farrah Swiel<\/p>\n A new phrase:<\/em><\/p>\n Tongue pooch<\/p>\n A notion:<\/em><\/p>\n Theorem ~ Absolute Corruption Empowers Absolutely<\/p>\n Corollary ~ There are no good people in positions of power<\/p>\n I haven\u2019t worked these into the story yet, but I will. And it will be richer for it.<\/p>\n Melanie Anne Phillips<\/a> ~ Creator, StoryWeaver<\/a><\/p>\n
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