Six Hints for a Successful Novel

What are the things that grab your attention when reading a novel? Romance? Action? Mystery? Suspense? Perhaps your favourite genre doesn't lend itself to romance, but all novels have key ingredients and if you lack them your reader will soon get bored. It is part of your story arc and it is what will make or break your novel.

What are the elements of a good story arc? Pixar seems to have this down to a science and shared some secrets recently on how they did it.  You can use their techniques with any genre of story. To put it simply it starts with:

• Once Upon a Time. . .or rather the set-up (think of Harry Potter living with the Dursley's or Nemo's nervous dad in finding Nemo). You need to introduce your characters to your audience in a way that will make them want to invest time in your story. For example . . . Once upon a time there was a boy who lived under the stairs. That is your premise for your story. Now round out that character. Ask the questions your readers will ask. Why is he living under the stairs? How old is he? Where are his parents? Is he being held captive? How did he get there? Once you've answered all the necessary questions you go to the next step.

• And Every Day . . . he did something. What did Harry do in Harry Potter? He lived in his cupboard under the stairs, played by himself, did all the chores for the Dursley's and basically lived a miserable life. For our purposes we will say that every day Harry made a wish to be free of his Uncle. (I apologize to Harry Potter fans. It's been a while since I read the books and I can't remember how they started). Now, our story needs to move. It needs something to make it interesting.

• Until One Day . . . something happened. If I recall, Harry starts receiving mysterious letters. But from who? Harry doesn't know anyone. You now have your reader's hooked. On to the next step.

• And because of that . . . Harry's Uncle locked him in his cupboard and kept the letters from him because he was afraid.

• And because of that . . . More letters came and so many flooded the Dursley home that Harry's Uncle Vernon moved them to a place he thought no one would find them.

• And because of that . . . A huge giant of a man named Hagrid burst into their "hideaway" and revealed to Harry the truth about who he was. A wizard!

• Until finally . . .He took Harry away from his mean aunt and uncle to Hogworts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry. Where Harry learned to be a wizard.

• And since that day . . . Harry has discovered himself, made friends and and a place to belong. He has also discovered lots of family secrets!

The story as you know doesn't end there but has many more "arcs"  (because of that's) that lead to more action and adventure for Harry. Until finally we come to the end of book one and discover . . .

The moral of the story . . . I know the first Harry Potter book had him solving a mystery that saved the school, but for the life of me I can't remember the moral of book one or rather the lesson learned. I think it has something to do with good conquering evil (since they all seemed to have that theme).

The point is, this is why Pixar has such huge success with their stories. They get the audience invested and involved in their characters. Then they create a situation the main character has no control over, which drives the story from there until it reaches a climax, where the character has to make a decision. The decision will either solve or drive the story further. You control that. Until you finally get to your ending. Basically, your story arc is six points that can drive the story forward and to a conclusion.

• The set-up - introduces the characters.
  

• The crisis - something happens which requires a decision.
  

• The decision - your character's choices will drive the story but must create conflict or an obstacle of some kind.
  

• The conflict - continually raise the stakes. Give your character challenges to overcome.
  

• The climax - the point where all is lost and the goal may not be achieved. Keep your readers glued to the pages wondering what will happen.
  

• The resolution - ties everything together, all the loose ends are answered and we see a positive change in your character.
  
  Keep using these elements in your novel and you will have success every time!