STESPS TO STORY EP 28 - How to Build a Strong Foundation

[00:00:00] Nicole Meier: Today, I'm diving into the essentials of building a strong foundation for your novel. Whether you're just starting out or looking to solidify your writing process, this episode is for you.

[00:00:18] Nicole Meier: Welcome to Steps to Story, the show that helps aspiring authors turn their ideas into action. And transform their dream of writing a book into a reality. I'm your host, Nicole Meier, multi published author and certified book coach. I spent the first part of my fiction writing career desperate for guidance that was unavailable to me.

[00:00:40] Nicole Meier: I wrote draft after draft, flying by the seat of my pants, with lots of passion but little guidance. Thankfully, there was a writing community that opened its arms and welcomed me. This community sustained me, but when it came to strengthening my novel writing process, I was determined to find a better way, one that didn't involve piecemeal strategies and confusing courses.

[00:01:07] Nicole Meier: Now, more than a decade later, I'm serving my younger self, who yearned for support while writing a book. If you're an emerging author seeking guidance, this podcast is for you. Are you on the list to get my novel writing guide? I designed this workbook to take you through five essential strategies that will level up your novel writing process.

[00:01:30] Nicole Meier: Grab your free copy at NicoleMeier. com forward slash crafting greatness. That's NicoleMeier. com forward slash crafting greatness or at the link in the show notes.

[00:01:52] Nicole Meier: Hello, storytellers. Guess what? I've got a free webinar coming up and you're invited. On Tuesday, August 27th at 1 p. m. Pacific, I'll be spending an hour live with writers talking about how to go from idea to action in your novel writing. Want to join us? Great. Head over to NicoleMeyer. com forward slash webinar.

[00:02:17] Nicole Meier: That's NicoleMeier. com forward slash webinar and sign up. You can either watch from the comfort of your own home or watch the limited time replay afterwards. Either way, I'd love to see you there. For now, let's get into our topic. Today I'm diving into the essentials of building a strong foundation for your novel.

[00:02:38] Nicole Meier: Whether you're just starting out or looking to solidify your writing process, this episode is for you. All right, writers, here is the tough truth. I often see writers, myself included at one time, who were so excited about their story idea that they rushed through the process and forgot to establish a strong foundation for their novel.

[00:03:00] Nicole Meier: The result is a writer who hits page, uh, 150 with no idea how they got there or where they're going next. The pages suddenly don't seem to hang together, and both the character and story arcs are lacking. I don't want this for you. Instead, think about the very basic analogy of building a house. You wouldn't want the builder to start with, say, the windows and the roof first, right?

[00:03:28] Nicole Meier: You wouldn't even want them to start framing right off the bat. Instead, you want to see a solid foundation poured, so it can work to hold up all that comes next, right? So let's approach today's topic with the same mindset. Let's get into how to create a strong foundation. I'll be covering four ideas and then breaking them down further.

[00:03:51] Nicole Meier: Number one, know your story message. Number two, establish a healthy writing routine. Number three, study elements of story structure. And number four, push through self doubt. Alright, first things first, let's talk about the core of your novel, your story message. This is a crucial yet often overlooked part of the novel writing process.

[00:04:18] Nicole Meier: My question for you is, what is it that you want your readers to take away from your book? How do you want them to feel by the time they reach the end? This core message will guide every aspect of your story, from character development to plot twists. Think about the themes you want to explore. Are you writing about the triumph of the human spirit?

[00:04:42] Nicole Meier: The complexities of love, or the struggle for identity, take some time to jot down notes and the key messages you want to convey. This clarity will not only help you stay focused, but also resonate more deeply with your readers. I'd say one way to pinpoint your story message is to ask yourself, What is the central question my story is trying to answer?

[00:05:07] Nicole Meier: Once you have the answer to that question, you'll find it easier to weave your message throughout every chapter and scene. Next up is the idea of establishing a healthy writing routine. I talk about this often because it's an important one. Writing a novel is an act of commitment. It's a promise you are making to yourself as a storyteller.

[00:05:30] Nicole Meier: And having a consistent routine can make all the difference. I encourage you to find a time of day when you're most creative and make it your dedicated writing time. Then stick to it. Set realistic goals for each session. So, instead of aiming for hours of writing, start with a manageable word count or a specific amount of time.

[00:05:52] Nicole Meier: The key here is consistency. Even 500 words a day can add up to a full manuscript over a handful of months. Remember, it's not just about the quantity of time spent writing, but also the quality. Create a writing environment that inspires you, whether it's a quiet nook in your home, a bustling coffee shop, or a local park.

[00:06:15] Nicole Meier: Find what works best for you. Okay, writers, we've gone over the first two points. How's everybody doing right about now? Let's move on to point number three, the nuts and bolts of storytelling, which is understanding elements of story structure. If I could, I'd add a big exclamation point here, because a well structured novel not only keeps your readers engaged.

[00:06:38] Nicole Meier: But also helps you navigate the writing process. I'm going to pause right here and admit that as a newbie writer back in the day, I wasn't super clear on elements of story structure. And now as a book coach, I can also share that it's common for writers to come to me looking for shortcuts, claiming they know all about story structure.

[00:07:00] Nicole Meier: Only to find out they haven't ever considered the elements of a strong scene, how to write a powerful midpoint, or how to show a captivating climax. See where I'm going here? These are luckily all things I cover in my small group novel writing program, but for now, I really encourage you to start with the basics, character, plot, pacing, and point of view.

[00:07:25] Nicole Meier: From there, think about ways to set up your story. Introduce characters in their world and present the main conflict. Then, think about where the action happens and how your characters face obstacles and challenges. Don't forget to consider how you want to show your story's climax and resolution as well.

[00:07:45] Nicole Meier: For now, you might start out by outlining the key plot points, so your inciting incident, the midpoint, and the climax. These moments are the backbone of your story, creating momentum and driving the narrative forward. Also, studying other novels in your genre can be incredibly helpful. Analyze how your favorite authors structure their stories and take note of what works and why.

[00:08:10] Nicole Meier: Lastly, writers, let's talk about the challenge every writer's face at some point, and that is self doubt. There will be times when you question your abilities, your story, and your worth as a writer. Trust me, I have been there, and so has pretty much every writer I've ever come across. It's completely normal and you're not alone.

[00:08:31] Nicole Meier: So when self doubt creeps in, remind yourself why you started writing in the first place. Reconnect with the passion and excitement that fueled your initial idea. Surround yourself with a supportive community, whether it's a writing group, a book coach, or a few trusted friends. Also, take breaks when you need to, but don't let self doubt stop you from writing altogether.

[00:08:56] Nicole Meier: Sometimes the best way to overcome this is to push through and keep going. Trust the process and believe in your story. Remember, every writer, no matter how successful, has faced self doubt. It's part of the journey, and it doesn't define your talent or potential. Okay, writers, there you have it. Key steps to building a strong foundation for your novel.

[00:09:20] Nicole Meier: Let's recap what we went over. Remember, know your story message, establish a healthy writing routine, study the elements of story structure, And understand how to push through self doubt. If you can establish all of this, or at a very minimum consider it, then you're already one step ahead of the game, I promise.

[00:09:43] Nicole Meier: Okay, everyone, I hope you found this episode helpful. Until next time, please keep going. I'm cheering for you all the way.

[00:09:56] Nicole Meier: If you want to check out my coaching programs for fiction writers, visit NicoleMeier. com. That's M E I E R. And if you liked this episode, I'd love you to take a minute to leave a rating and review for this podcast. This will help more writers like you to discover the show and and to get going on their writing journey.

[00:10:16] Nicole Meier: Thanks so much for listening. Until next time, happy writing, everyone.