Ten Elements You Need To Know About Writing a Publishable First Novel, But Were Afraid To Ask
Updated: Jul 4, 2020

CALIFORNIA HEART SERIES

Upcoming Publications
NOVELS
Orange Blossoms-Love Blooms
(to be published later this year)
Anything But Love
Love Lost & Found
NOVELLA
A Whirl With My Mocha Chocolate Swirl
THE TEN ELEMENTS OF STORYTELLING YOU MUST INCORPORATE
· The Hook: Hook The Reader Or Lose Them For Life
· Writer Know Thy Self: Are You A Plotter, Pantser, or Planter?
· Show Don’t Tell: Creating A World Of Emotion Using All Five Senses
· Conflict & Tension: From the Beginning To End
· Character Agency: Heroines/Heroes Make Things Happen
· The Character And Story Arcs: Movement and Growth
· Authentic Dialogue: Why Characters Should Have Distinct Voices
· Author Voice: The Tone That Sets The Mood Of The Story
· The Dark Moment: The Really Bad, Sad, Awful Thing Happens
· The End: The Pieces of the Puzzle Fit Together=Satisfaction

1. The Hook: Introduce the Main Character
What’s at risk in the story?
It has to something big enough for a book.
Her heart, her home, her job, her family, or peace of mind
Disruption of her normal world
Start in the middle-not the beginning
No information dump

2. Writer Know Thyself
Plotter, each detail
Pantser, figure it out as you go along
Plantser, a little of both
Music or silence
Home/Office/café
Pages, scenes, chapters
Timers, sprints

3.Showing Versus Telling
No information dumping
Deep point of view
Describe action
Utilization of all five senses
Example A: He places an arm around my shoulder and kisses me. “Not bad,” I say. “But, I’ve had better. Can we finish this project now?”
Example B: I held my breath as he took two steps forward. This close, I could see a glint of gold in his light brown eyes, smell the masculine pine scent of his aftershave. Was he going to kiss me? I Iicked my bottom lip, right before he placed one of those strong arms around my shoulders, pulling me close to him. His lips felt so right pressed against mine. Trying to regain control of the situation, I force myself to pull away. “Not bad.” I can’t meet his eyes. He’ll see that I’m lying. That was the best kiss I’ve ever had and I’m hungry for more, but he’ll never know that. “Can we finish the project now?”

4. Conflicts and Tension
Think drama, even soap operas, plays
Action
Danger
Big Risks
Potential for Loss, Pain
Highs and Lows
5. Character Agency

No passive wallflower waiting for her life to beginning
She makes choices, sometimes good
She’s flawed, could be her hair, her attire, her temper
She has ups and downs
She pulls herself up by her bootstraps
Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty need not apply

6.Character & Story Arc
Two simultaneous events are occurring, maybe three
Hero’s journey
Heroin’s journey
Story arc
Must grow from where they have begun
New realization, new strength
New possibilities for tomorrow
7. Authentic Dialogue
Each character has a distinctive voice
Each has different personalities and characteristics
Everyone should not sound the same
Males speak differently than females
Use of fewer words
Pay intention to how people talk, gestures they make
Create opposite types

Example A. “Girl, I’m out of here,” Cindy says while waving a manicured hand in the air and sashaying out the door.
Example B. “I’m going to leave now,” Tracey says. Sobs shake her frail body as she timidly walks towards the door.
Example C. “It’s time.” David snorts and saunters out the door. “I’m out of here. See ya.”

8. Author Voice
Sets the tone
Unique
Distinctive
Serious and Dry
Friendly and Humorous
Compelling and interesting

9.The Dark Moment
Something very bad happens
What has been foreshadowed happens
It could be a surprise though
Plot twists and turns
The reader is worried, upset
Emotionally invested
The storm before the rainbow
Do not rush this
Take your time

10.The End
Does it make sense?
Does it follow the rules of the genre?
Romance must have a HEA
Happily Ever After Ending
Is the reader confused or satisfied?
Are all the loose ends tied up?
Do they want to know more about secondary characters? Will they remember the characters or story later?
Will they tell others about your book?
Did it leave them feeling satisfied?