cj Sez: How does one come up with an idea for a
novel?
I usually find something in the news, but that’s too incredibly ominous
and ugly right now. So, let’s get lighter. First, let's agree that novels need
a theme, a premise on which to hang the action and plot points. An overall
theme continues as a thread through the novel. It lets a writer connect the
dots of subplots to the main plot. One way to get a handle on finding your
theme/premise might be to think about describing your novel in one sentence, as
with a cliché. Of course, you wouldn’t really use the cliché as part of a back
of the book blurb, just the idea of it should help polish the brief paragraph.
Caveat: A
cliché is, by definition, a trite and overused expression . . . a figure of
speech that has become tiresome and uninteresting. Several experts advise
against the use of clichés in your narrative. In fact, author and editor Sol
Stein has this advice: “Cut every cliché you come across. Say it new and say it
straight” (Stein on Writing, 1995).
Clichés
are those taboo things that writers should avoid like the plague, but they can
be good fodder for this exercise. Think about it. For a romance story, how
about this? “Love will find a way.” Then every time you put an obstacle in a
character’s path on the way to her/his happily ever after, that obstacle can be
overcome with some kind of act of love . . . even self-love (conceit, egotism)
is fair game.
For a
love story (which doesn’t always end happily ever after): “Always a bridesmaid,
never a bride.”
Or
how about this for a YA or memoir: “A coming of age story.” That old saw keeps
the threads of the story tied to some agonizing affliction and growth of young
people over a longer time span.
A
possible theme for Choosing Carter, my latest novel, could be “My brother’s keeper.”
The novel is about an American woman that wants to extract her brother from a domestic terrorist cell. I’ve alluded to it in my marketing blurbs.
What
if one of your characters is fond of vocalizing clichés? I say, okay. Use
them, but only in that character’s dialogue. Another warning here: Too much/too often can become distracting
to your readers. Even Stein's new and straight words can become hackneyed when
used too often.
I’m
going have another go at my latest WIP’s theme and premise with clichés in
mind. Wish me luck, and I wish you luck with yours. If you have a different way
of working on the theme/premise of your stories, let me know how you do it. I
love, love, love learning new methodologies.
In
the meantime, you-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.
cj
cjpetterson@gmail.com
PS The
toons are from Facebook.
