Welcome to the Home of Novel Writing

Whether you're a novel writing newbie or you need more detailed advice on how to write a novel, you will find all the answers right here.

• Not only is Novel Writing Help the most comprehensive website on writing fiction you will find.
• And not only is it growing all the time.
• But here's the best part: The hundreds of pages of help and advice won't cost you a single dime!

Are You Serious About Writing a Novel?

Of course you are. Trouble is, so is just about every other aspiring writer out there.

What you need is a way to rise above the competition, and in my experience that means two things...

First, you've got to work at it, for as long as it takes. Second, you need to learn your craft.

Now, I can't help you with the need to put in the necessary time and effort - that's down to you. My job is to help you become a master of the art and craft of novel writing.

First you learn the "rules" of writing right here on this site. Then, through practice, you learn to break the rules as you discover your unique voice.

And that is how you get publishers to sit up and take notice!

So...please bookmark Novel Writing Help and visit as often as you need to. Above all remember that writing a novel isn't a race - and that it's okay to have fun along the way.

Good luck on your journey!

Novel Writing Help - and Me

My name is Harvey Chapman and I am passionate about the art and craft of novel writing.

I love reading fiction and I love writing fiction when I can find the time (which isn't often), but most of all I love the theory of how novels are built.

You know all those writing guides you see in the stores? Well, I've been reading them for fun since I was in my teens (including all the out of print ones).

I've analyzed hundreds of published novels for literary technique, had a handful of stories published in magazines, and done some teaching (so I know where beginners need the most help).

And Novel Writing Help is the result. (It's my baby, if you like, so please treat it gently.)

Here is how I want you to think of me...

Imagine I'm a friendly stranger you meet in a bar. We get chatting and you tell me you're thinking of writing a novel.

"I know a thing or two about that," I say.

"Really?" you say. "Tell me everything you know."

So I do. And everything I tell you is right here on this site. And it doesn't even cost you a beer!

Good luck with your novel. And don't forget to come back often.

Oh, and if you ever find yourself in the company of other novel writers - online or offline - be sure to give me a mention. The more visitors I have, the more I can develop the site in the months and years ahead.

- Harvey

P.S. Remember how I said above that the two keys to success are working hard and learning the theory? You can read more about whether you have what it takes to succeed in The Myths and Secrets of Writing a Novel.

A Whistlestop Tour of Novel Writing Help

How to Write a Novel Step by Step

When you set out on a long journey you need a good map, and the Novel Writing Process, outlined in this section, is yours. Use it to guide yourself from where you are today to having a published novel to your name.

Thoughts on Becoming a Writer

The worst thing you can do when writing a novel - particularly your first novel - is to rush. Before you begin your journey, take some time to consider some of these fundamental novel writing questions - not least, why do you want to write a novel at all?

Not only will knowing the answers to these questions help you write a better novel, it will make the process a lot more enjoyable.

Types of Novels

Having dealt with the housekeeping, the first big decision to take is what kind of novel to write. (Knowing where your fiction will eventually sit in a bookstore will make selling your novel a lot simpler.)

So, are you planning to write genre, literary, or mainstream fiction? Not sure? You will find detailed definitions of all three types of novels in this section.

Finding Writing Ideas

You might not know it yet, but you are already bursting with great novel ideas. You have enough raw material inside you right now for more novels than you could ever hope to complete. This section not only shows you how to find them, it explains how to take them out for a "road test" before committing to them.

Theme and Symbolism

A lot of creative writing guides barely touch on the important question of theme and symbolism in literature. Is that because they are things you can safely ignore? Not if you want your novel to be the best it can be.

Point of View

Point of view is probably the one area that many newcomers to creative writing have problems with - and that gives you a great opportunity to rise above all the other undiscovered writers out there. Want to write prose like a pro? Then become a master of viewpoint.

Creating Characters

Creating characters is arguably the most important part of novel writing. Places and plots count for nothing without dynamic story people, and you will find all the information you need to build unforgettable characters right here.

Setting: Writing a Story With Atmosphere

When you are writing a novel, character and plot are the two most important ingredients. Having a vividly-evoked setting comes a very close third, though, and this section shows you precisely how to build one.

Plotting a Novel

Make no mistake, plotting a novel is no small task. Entire books have been written on the subject - books which sometimes leave you feeling more confused than enlightened. My 10-step guide to writing a plot will help you make light work of it.

Also here, I discuss some of those advanced elements of plot - like flashbacks and foreshadowing - that will certainly make your story a lot more publishable.

Preparing to Write

With the planning all behind you, it is now time to start writing your novel. This section offers advice on making easy work of it - not least, advice on overcoming the dreaded writer's block as you tackle the first draft.

Narrative and Descriptive Writing

Ernest Hemingway once said that writing a novel is ultimately about "getting the words right" - and it's hard to disagree. You can create compelling characters and write a page-turning plot, but if the language is dull they will count for nothing.

Here, you will learn such essential skills as keeping your writing simple, bringing it to life through the use of details, and how to add a touch of poetry to your prose using figures of speech.

Writing Dialogue

It is one of the paradoxes of novel writing that the more natural you want the dialogue to sound, the harder you have to work on it. Confused? The articles in this section explain all.

Publishing a Novel

This is the best part - finally getting to see your novel in print (not to mention making money from your writing!)

This section deals with the publishing basics - like how to find a literary agent and how to submit a manuscript. And in Getting a Book Published in the 21st Century, I move beyond "traditional publishing" and look at the opportunities awaiting novel writers online.

And that is all there is to it!

Follow these sections in order, and take as much time as you need, and there is no reason whatsoever that novel writing success cannot be yours.