5 “Key” Tips to Making Your Writing Authentic

We’re gearing up for Camp NaNo, and whether you’re a first time NaNo writer, or if you’ve published before now, you’re sure to know that there’s a lot of work involved in writing a book and making it feel authentic. Today, writer and Wrimo Jav Bond shares their tips for making your writing authentic:

The process of making a good novel great involves more than cleaning up small errors; it can mean taking on an intense process of starting from the ground up (sort of). So it’s important to remember throughout the entire process that authenticity is key. 

Here are some key lessons I’ve learned from writing, editing, and preparing to publish my NaNo novel:

1. Revisit and rethink your novel.

You probably already know what I’m about to say: when you’re planning to publish, you can’t just send in your draft as-is; you need to revisit and rethink your story with a fresh perspective.

The editing process isn’t just a grammar check; it’s a crash course in managing how your story flows—from the plot and characters to the style, you’ll have to grow in your overall understanding of the story.

2. Fix plot holes.

In the course of editing four stories, I’ve found that flow is paramount. For example, you need to check for any plot holes. There might be a specific place a character visited that, later in the story, is said to be somewhere else. Someone may reference something that never happened, or call a character by the wrong name.  

These things we call “plot holes” can be used to great effect—for instance, in a story about memory loss—but every story needs consistency. And that starts with you, going over your story with a fine-tooth comb. If your story goes to print, and it’s full of plot holes, your readers won’t understand where your characters are, or even what happened two pages ago. Your story might be powered by magic, but your readers’ logical acuity surely won’t.

3. Know where you are…

When it comes to helping your readers follow the story without getting lost, you may find it helpful to describe the geography of your setting. That way, you have a location which you automatically connect with—that is, put a name to a place. I forget the geography sometimes, but it helps to draw a plan, map, or some specific locations in whatever place you choose. 

You can also make an attachment or enter some geographical information as a footnote, so it looks like a real location. Both you and your readers may also enjoy some historical information on the people or places you’ve created. This can also come in the form of pictures, maps, and textual information. Remember: dimension is key!

4. …And know who your characters are.

The same applies to your characters—their personalities, looks, hobbies, routines, and more. For instance, if I have a character named Will, it’s important that he has things he enjoys. What does he do in the rest of his life outside of the story? What does a typical day in Will’s life entail? How does he style his hair?

Details like these will help hook your readers, especially in the first few chapters. Once they’re drawn in, you can really accelerate your story’s action—so much so that you readers are shocked, but excited to go on.

5. Get feedback.

It’s also essential that you get outside feedback. It’s hard to make a story feel authentic without people to verify that it is authentic. That means socializing with other writers, making friends, comparing your styles, and—most importantly—reading other works! So, be it through casual friends or professional beta readers, you should always try to get some critical feedback on your work. That way, you can pinpoint what needs improving, and really make your story sing!

Jav Bond is an author, blogger, YouTuber, Plotagon plotter, occasional singer, and reader of romance, suspense, and classics. Jav has written ILE, Dangerous, Lost Innocence, and Royally Murdered (Book One in the Stronglaw series).

Top image licensed under Creative Commons from Jessica Paterson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/modernrelics/) on Flickr.