“Your book’s setting sucks.”
“This novel doesn’t have any details.”
“Completely unbelievable… in a bad way.”
I’m honestly hoping nobody reading this has seen comments like these on their novels, but let’s face it, there are a lot of aspiring novelists, and even more aspiring critics. While it’s true you can’t please everybody, there are things you can do to make sure that the content of your novel is rich, unique, and invigorating, and it starts by stepping away from your keyboard, putting down your pen, and stepping outside. What I’m emphasizing is the enrichment of your own mind by experiencing things outside of the ordinary. By visiting museums and parks, by reading classic works, by exploring history, you can create a foundation from which to draw on that will spark your imagination and really add color and depth to your writing, whether that’s as short as a poem or as long as an epic.
The first order of business is to acknowledge that many writers consider themselves introverts and may not want to go tearing off into the wild beyond. That’s perfectly fine and perfectly normal. I think most self-diagnosed introverts don’t give themselves enough credit when it comes to taking on new challenges, but I’ll try to make things as painless as possible. Writing is acting in your head and then copying it down. Without set pieces, background, props, and characters, things aren’t going to go very well. It’s really in your best interest to take a step forward and try something new. To minimize the discomfort, pick something local and plan the trip very specifically. If you like to be on your own, try to go during a weekday when things are less crowded. Keep to yourself and bring along a camera and a small notepad so that you can record your experiences. Really, you can stay inside your own bubble, just take that bubble with you.
The second point to make is regarding content. While we all would love to visit every country in which our globetrotting protagonist finds herself in, that’s obviously not very cost or time effective. If it turns out you’re loaded, go hog wild (take me with you!), but for most of us we have to be a little more humble in our aspirations. Plot a destination that intersects with three points: your own personal interests, something you want to learn more about, and something that is relevant to your novel. This way you can maximize your time and really gain something that will help illustrate the point you’re trying to make in your writing.
I can give an example of one of my recent trips that I took to the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona. My writing style can be very detail oriented, especially when it comes to vehicles and weapons. Since I write science fiction, this is generally a good thing. I’m also a lifetime lover of aircraft, especially vintage warbirds and Cold War fighter aircraft. That said, there’s always more to learn in this arena. Lastly, my novels are action based and rely heavily on vehicles of all kinds. If I can describe them better, especially from first-hand knowledge, then I can really make the words jump off the page for my readers.
With that in mind, I packed my Nikon D90 and headed south. I spent the entire day in the museum and only spent a minimal amount on admission and food, plus gas. I literally stayed until they kicked me out. Side note: the Pima Air & Space Museum really is a fantastic place that people of all ages can enjoy. It really is amazing, and directly across from Davis Monthan Airbase. In return for my time invested there, I came away with great memories, new knowledge, and fantastic photographs. I even refreshed my knowledge on several topics I had become rusty on, knowledge which I’ll now take back and apply to my writing. All in all, it was a very refreshing and rewarding experience, and this is just one example of things you can do to enrich your knowledge of the universe around you.
I would challenge any writer (aspiring or established) to remember that much of what they produce is drawn from within. The deeper the well, the greater the experience. Take a chance and see something new. As a bit of inspiration, I’ve included some of my favorite photos of my trip. Feel free to look and share. With any luck, you’ll soon be sharing your own memories as well.
“This novel doesn’t have any details.”
“Completely unbelievable… in a bad way.”
I’m honestly hoping nobody reading this has seen comments like these on their novels, but let’s face it, there are a lot of aspiring novelists, and even more aspiring critics. While it’s true you can’t please everybody, there are things you can do to make sure that the content of your novel is rich, unique, and invigorating, and it starts by stepping away from your keyboard, putting down your pen, and stepping outside. What I’m emphasizing is the enrichment of your own mind by experiencing things outside of the ordinary. By visiting museums and parks, by reading classic works, by exploring history, you can create a foundation from which to draw on that will spark your imagination and really add color and depth to your writing, whether that’s as short as a poem or as long as an epic.
The first order of business is to acknowledge that many writers consider themselves introverts and may not want to go tearing off into the wild beyond. That’s perfectly fine and perfectly normal. I think most self-diagnosed introverts don’t give themselves enough credit when it comes to taking on new challenges, but I’ll try to make things as painless as possible. Writing is acting in your head and then copying it down. Without set pieces, background, props, and characters, things aren’t going to go very well. It’s really in your best interest to take a step forward and try something new. To minimize the discomfort, pick something local and plan the trip very specifically. If you like to be on your own, try to go during a weekday when things are less crowded. Keep to yourself and bring along a camera and a small notepad so that you can record your experiences. Really, you can stay inside your own bubble, just take that bubble with you.
The second point to make is regarding content. While we all would love to visit every country in which our globetrotting protagonist finds herself in, that’s obviously not very cost or time effective. If it turns out you’re loaded, go hog wild (take me with you!), but for most of us we have to be a little more humble in our aspirations. Plot a destination that intersects with three points: your own personal interests, something you want to learn more about, and something that is relevant to your novel. This way you can maximize your time and really gain something that will help illustrate the point you’re trying to make in your writing.
I can give an example of one of my recent trips that I took to the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona. My writing style can be very detail oriented, especially when it comes to vehicles and weapons. Since I write science fiction, this is generally a good thing. I’m also a lifetime lover of aircraft, especially vintage warbirds and Cold War fighter aircraft. That said, there’s always more to learn in this arena. Lastly, my novels are action based and rely heavily on vehicles of all kinds. If I can describe them better, especially from first-hand knowledge, then I can really make the words jump off the page for my readers.
With that in mind, I packed my Nikon D90 and headed south. I spent the entire day in the museum and only spent a minimal amount on admission and food, plus gas. I literally stayed until they kicked me out. Side note: the Pima Air & Space Museum really is a fantastic place that people of all ages can enjoy. It really is amazing, and directly across from Davis Monthan Airbase. In return for my time invested there, I came away with great memories, new knowledge, and fantastic photographs. I even refreshed my knowledge on several topics I had become rusty on, knowledge which I’ll now take back and apply to my writing. All in all, it was a very refreshing and rewarding experience, and this is just one example of things you can do to enrich your knowledge of the universe around you.
I would challenge any writer (aspiring or established) to remember that much of what they produce is drawn from within. The deeper the well, the greater the experience. Take a chance and see something new. As a bit of inspiration, I’ve included some of my favorite photos of my trip. Feel free to look and share. With any luck, you’ll soon be sharing your own memories as well.
A.C. Harrison
Like what you see here? Spread the word and support indie authors! Follow me on Facebook or Twitter. Find me on Smashwords and Kindlemojo.
Like what you see here? Spread the word and support indie authors! Follow me on Facebook or Twitter. Find me on Smashwords and Kindlemojo.
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