By Loretta Eidson
Chefs prepare some of the best tasting layered foods. We have lasagna, nachos, casseroles, salads, pizza, etc. Just the mention of those delicious dishes makes our mouths water. Not to mention topping it off with extra cheese.
All the ingredients, appropriately measured and blended, result in a lip-smacking delight. We won’t forget the satisfying taste that tickles our tastebuds, leaving us wanting more.
Writing is very similar. We decide on a story, then start prepping the layers. Plotters are comfortable laying out the details of their chapters, while Pantsers just go with the flow. Neither is a wrong technique. Regardless of which type of writer labels us, we still must follow the same recipe and add the right ingredients for the story to unfold in an intriguing and tasteful manner.
Once the blend of story ideas and plots are mixed well, we must stir in unforgettable heroes, heroines, and villains, and make them realistic and believable, which can be challenging. Backstory serves as an essential ingredient. It helps writers understand what their characters feel and what their reactions may be as they encounter disappointments, trials, and dangers. Authors must also include the character’s flaws, hurts, regrets, and desires.
It all sounds overwhelming to think we must literally give birth to our characters on paper and make them sound human. We control their thoughts, actions, and destiny with words. Wow! That’s eye-opening! Our faith-based characters must learn to trust God in every aspect of their lives. Just like us.
What an enormous responsibility authors have in layering incredible stories. As with any subject, this next step requires research. Even though fiction is a made-up story, it still requires research, research, research, to make it as truthful as possible. Readers become intrigued when truth resonates with them, therefore, they seek more books by authors who fulfill realistic expectations.
Reader’s love knowing what the hero and heroine, and even the villain, are thinking. They connect with each character’s voices and reactions to each other. This is where writers must choose their voice and point of view (POV). This technique can be tricky for authors. There are many available resources on how to write in a character’s POV. Once we implement this important aspect, the story bursts into life.
Is the layering for novel writing complete now? Not hardly. Let’s move on.
The main characters must encounter problems, small and large. It’s important for them to find themselves in what appears to be a hopeless situation. If the novel is a suspense book, the suspense must intensify. Characters come to the end of their rope. They must realize the only way out is by calling on God and trusting Him to pull them through.
As the book nears the end, the key to applying the last layer of the story, or the icing on the cake, is to bring all those loose ends contained between the pages to a climax. Put the pieces together, answer all the proverbial questions, and end with a happily ever after (HEA).
In layering a novel appropriately and closing all the gaps, we leave our readers satisfied. Some may be sad when the story ends. But hopefully, they will connect with authors who fulfill their creative journey into an imaginary world and will become faithful followers and readers.
There is so much more to writing a novel, ask any author. Meeting our editors’ expectations is the goal, but pleasing our readers is even more rewarding.
Award-winning author Loretta Eidson loves writing romantic suspense. She believes in the power of prayer and puts her characters in situations where they must trust God. Tamela Hancock Murray is her agent. Loretta is an AWSA certified coach. Her Love Inspired Suspense novel, Pursued in the Wilderness, won AWSA’s 2023 Romance Novel of the Year Award. Visit Loretta on her website at https://www.lorettaeidson.com/.
Comments 4
Thanks, Loretta, for this insight into the layers of writing!
Great thoughts, Loretta 🙂
Great post, Loretta!
Great way to lay out the layers of planning and executing a story. In prepping for the final novel in my Home Team series, I’ve found the research fascinating. And creating the characters as described in many of these columns has been a great exercise. With your ideas, validation of the effort, and approach to plot and characterization talked about you and others, these columns have been a great help. Thanks for that!