Fictum Writing Guide
Introduction
Welcome to Fictum, a place where you can let your inspiration sparkle and shine. Here we provide a simple guide for your
reference if this happens to be your first time writing a novel. The overall rule is, if you're still not sure of what to begin with,
start with something familiar or do some research to learn what readers like the most, then off you go and happy writing.
A warm tip before you embark on your journey here, don't be confined by the guide we provide. It'd be our greatest honor if this
guide can shed some light on you and help you in any way. However, if you have a great idea, a story that keeps shouting to get
out, just go for it. Follow your inspiration and see where it'll take you. It works better than any guide.
If you start with a bang, you won't end with a whimper. – T.S. Eliot
Meanwhile, we also welcome authors to share ideas and experience with us. Together, we can create an excellent platform for
everyone with a writing dream longing for a stage to perform.
How to Write an Outline?
Stories all start with an idea, an inspiration that you'd like to share with readers. Yet at the very beginning, we might not have the
full story in mind, and that's natural. Sometimes, new ideas pop up and then disappear; sometimes we ourselves may feel
confused or even forget some points, and that's when an outline comes in handy. Write down what you think is important as
memory sometimes fades as time passes or as you are too immersed into your story.
An outline is the skeleton of the story that keeps us from straying away from the main plot and also lets us have a clearer idea of
the developments of the story, the characters, the connection between different plots, as well as the overall pace of the story.
An outline roughly includes:
1. Structure
There are many types of structure a novel could apply. As the author, you can choose whatever you feel comfortable with. But
usually they all include some common points:
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An enticing beginning that draws readers in
Logical crises and conflicts that pushes the plot
Climax
The end
Invest some time in those parts. You don't have to be extremely specific or detailed. Just give each part some thoughts so that
when the plots come to a certain point, you can still keep track of your story. As for specific conflicts or subplots, it's okay to
give yourself some time. Maybe you'll have those lightbulb moments when great ideas just flood into your mind.
Some common ways to structure your novel:
● Dean Koontz's Classic Story Structure follows the route of getting your protagonist right into the trouble, the
protagonist's efforts to solve the problem only worsening the condition to the point of hopelessness, and your protagonist
finally succeeding using everything he/she's learned from the previous predicaments.
● In Medias Res means "in the midst of things." Or simply put, cut to the chase. Begin your story with one of the conflicts
and complications either through flashbacks or conversations followed by more crises that lead to the climax. Novels
using such structure include Iliad, Odyssey, etc.
● The Hero's Journey, often used for genres like science fiction, fantasy, etc. where the story unfolds following the
adventure of the protagonist as in The Lord of the Rings.
● The Three-Act Structure where the story is divided into three parts often called the Setup, the Confrontation and the
Resolution as in The Hunger Games and The Fault in Our Stars.
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● The 7-Point Story Structure stresses the need to set plot turns for each section of your story as in Harry Potter and The
Matrix. The 7-points are: The Hook, Plot Turn 1, Pinch Point 1, Midpoint, Pinch Point 2, Plot Turn 2, Resolution.
2. Characters and Their Backstories
Decide the type of characters you'd like to include in your story, protagonist, antagonist, sidekicks, supporting characters, etc.,
and their settings.
Say you're preparing yourself for an interview, what would you do? You'd give some careful thoughts as to what you should
include in your introduction, analyze your strengths and weaknesses. The same applies here when writing character profiles and
should include more, which we'll explain in detail in the chapter "How to Create Likeable Characters".
3. Plots
By plots here, we don't mean that you have to write down every single event, crisis or conflict. The main plot, the journey that
your protagonist will undertake or the difficulties he or she will face along the way either to their ultimate goal of saving the
world or to the happy ending of their love interest...if written down, will help a lot when you're wondering where the story
should head to in the next stage.
Take romantic novels for example, you can write down how many phases the love interest between our hero and heroine will
have, and the main issues they'll have to face for each phase. Better yet, the issues they'll face will escalate each time as the story
progresses and finally comes to a point that might even threaten their relationship, reaching the climax that will make everyone
worry.
The plot is closely related with the pace of the story, which will be detailed in the chapter "Pace and Plots".
4. Background and Settings
Confirm the background and settings of your story. That is, is your story contemporary, historical, or fantasy? It doesn't matter
which setting you choose as long as you could make it clear to readers and make it work for the story. The thing is, be logical
and find a way to connect with readers.
If you plan to write a fantasy or paranormal novel where you can roam freely in the world of imagination, a world completely at
your command, which sounds pretty awesome, be sure to explain clearly to your readers how the world works, its power system,
the species involved, etc., so as to not cause any confusion.
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How to Choose the Right Point of View?
What point of view should I adopt for my story? This is the question every writer must tackle when starting penning the first
word. The point of view you choose will decide how you will unfold your story and how the readers will understand and take
part in it.
The point of view, or POV, is the perspective from which a story is told. To put it in simple words, POV is about who is the
narrator, who is telling the story. There are three primary POV options in fiction writing:
1. First Person POV
Employing the pronouns "I" "me" or "my", first person is commonly used POV in fiction writing. The character "I" is in the
story, relating his or her experience directly. In this point of view, readers can get an intimate glimpse into the inner feelings of
joy, exhilaration, sorrow and frustration of the character.
Although the first person can make readers feel emotionally connected to writers and characters, it is limited to one perspective,
one voice, thus can be viewed as biased and incomplete.
2. Second Person POV
Second person uses the pronouns "you" and "your". It is the most difficult POV to do effectively and can be very challenging to
less experienced writers. However, this point of view can bring the readers into action and hook the readers right from the start.
The most successful examples of the second person point of view are Choose Your Own Adventure series and Bright Lights, Big
City by Jay McInerney.
3. Third Person POV
Third person uses pronouns "he", "she", "they", or "it". The narrator is not present in the story and is relating the life and
experiences of the character.
This point of view is probably the most commonly used perspective because it offers more flexibility and broader perspective
than the other two. Depending how much the narrator knows, there are three types of this point of view:
● Third person limited: The narrator only knows the thoughts and experiences of one character. And this character is
generally the protagonist.
● Third person multiple: The narrator knows the thoughts and experiences of multiple characters in the story. A typical
example of this point of view is George R.R. Martin's A Song of Fire and Ice.
● Third person omniscient: The narrator, like God, knows everything about everyone in the story. The all-knowing
narrator makes this point of view the most objective and trustworthy.
Which Point of View Should You Choose?
A good way to find the right point of view is to write your first scene or chapter from all three perspectives. Then read them and
ask yourself these questions:
● Which one feels most natural to the story?
● Which one makes the story most interesting or striking?
● Which one gives you the greatest amount of creative power?
But once you settle on one perspective, make sure you stick to it. Consistency of point of view is one golden rule regarding
fiction writing. Drifting from one point of view to another will leave readers confused and lessen their interest in your work.
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How to Write a Beginning?
A good beginning is what draws readers in. People tend to be impatient with online novels, and if you can't get their attention
from the very beginning, it's likely that they'll just walk away and find something else to read. Some tips can be useful in helping
you write an intriguing beginning:
1. Start with Something Happening
Make your readers feel that they're in the middle of some event, crisis or danger, whatever that fits your story setting, and that is
urgent and crucial to your protagonist. For example, instead of a full description of the background, you can jump right into a
fierce gunfight or the last seconds of a world-wide campaign, making your readers nervous from the get-go, anticipating what is
happening and longing for what will happen next.
2. Let the Main Characters Meet Early
Their contact doesn't have to be long or explained in detail. A brief one will do. Suggest that the character is of prominence and
will appear again in later chapters. Leave the rest to readers' imagination.
Their contact can be a good one where the hero and heroine both feel a strong pull for each other at first sight but are forced
apart before they can have the chance to exchange names. Make your readers wonder when they're going to meet again.
Or you prefer a sour meeting where they both mistake the other as an incurable narcissist. Of course that impression has to be
changed but how? That's what readers would want to know.
3. Arouse Deep Feelings in Readers
Make them laugh, cry or feel pain. A bland beginning is not something your readers are after. In rebirth novels, you can write
about how miserable the protagonist is in the previous life, which is often the cause of their rebirth. The more miserable the
better. As the more miserable the past life is, the more satisfaction it brings when the protagonist changes and takes revenge on
their enemies after rebirth.
4. Arrange A Minor Conflict
To get readers' attention, a conflict can be arranged in the first three to five chapters. You can take this chance to brief your
readers what kind of protagonist you're trying to present, the smart type that handles every problem at ease or the type who's
clumsy at the beginning but shows potential for future growth.
5. Avoid Dumping Too Much Information
It's never a good idea to write long paragraphs of description in the beginning since too much information only bores your
audience. Do that as the story unfolds, better bit by bit through the course of events. Information like the protagonist's childhood
or family background can be saved for later chapters. If there's information that you feel must be imparted in the beginning, try
putting it in the dialogue. Still, it has to be concise.
6. Make It Easier to Read
Besides interesting plot, whether your beginning chapters are easy to read also makes a difference. Mistakes like misspelling,
grammar issues, wrong names, etc., could be a turnoff for some of your audience.
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How to Create Likable Characters?
Character building is of utmost importance for novel writing. Keep in mind what type of person your protagonist is, slowly
reveal it to your readers and enhance that impression by their behaviors and through the course of events.
1. Stays Consistent with the Character Setting
I'm sure you have a clear idea of what background your characters are from, and your characters' upbringing will have
significant influence over the way they treat people and handle matters. If you plan to write a demanding but caring hero, be sure
to explain to readers why he's developed such a personality and his future behaviors shall not go against such traits.
2. Be Dynamic
Everyone learns, so do the characters in your novel. Your character would learn and improve as the plot develops. That's what
resonates with your readers. They tend to see themselves in the characters you're writing. However, the core trait of the
character, the very fundamental thing that makes your character the very person should not be changed.
3. Give Your Protagonist Some Weakness
Humans are complicated creatures who'd surprise you every second. Perfect men always sacrificing for the greater good are
great but boring. It is the weaknesses that make your characters real, special and close to readers.
4. Get the Protagonist's Motivations Clear
What does the protagonist want? A dream to become a billionaire? A goal to save the world? Cinderella striving to the top of the
social ladder? Whatever it is, big or small, best something your readers can relate to. Make it clear to your readers what matters
the most to your protagonist and then centers your story around it. Make your readers worry about what might happen should
your protagonist lose or fail to get it. It is the process of overcoming adversities and the final realization of dreams that make the
story most exciting.
5. Supporting Characters Matter
All supporting characters are designed for some sort of purpose. Make them serve the purpose well. There are different types of
supporting characters: the caring type that gives the protagonist warmth and consolation in times of depression or despair,
mentors that help the protagonist grow and mature, and the vicious ones that get in his/her way.
Take the vicious ones for example, most of them would get their just deserts in the end. However, how you arrange that would
make a difference. Instead of going straight to the part how they get punished, a better way to handle that is to gradually reveal
to readers the vicious things they've done, make readers hate them step by step, and when such hate builds up to an extent that
nobody can tolerate, give them the punishment that everyone will applaud for. Of course, the hideous crimes of them should stay
consistent with the character's setting.
But then are there likeable antagonists, you'd ask? Yes, of course. Not all antagonists are detestable. Sometimes they themselves
don't have any choice. They are forced to make some decisions that inadvertently get in the way of the protagonist. If you
choose to portray such antagonists, make sure you give a clear and detailed exposition of their positions and the reasons behind
what they do. That's the tricky part. But if you do that well, a successful antagonist will gain the favor of many.
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Q&A for Character Profile
Doing a character questionnaire will help you gain a clear idea of what your main characters should be and it'll also help you
keep record of the details like the pupil color of the characters in case you get it wrong in future writing. However, don't be
limited by the questions listed below. They're provided only for your reference, and you can improvise or choose the ones that
work best for different characters of your work. And the questions you choose to answer depend on the roles that each character
has to play.
When revealing characters to your readers, it is better to internalize the information through deeds and dialogues instead of just
pouring it all out.
Questions list for you to choose from:
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What's he/she like? Height, hair, eyes, etc. Does he/she have any scars and why?
What's the character's personality? What's his/her speech style? Why has he/she developed it?
What role does the character play, the center of the story or just the background?
What are their backstories and at what point will they appear in your story?
What's the character's career? How does that go with the plot?
What are their strengths and weaknesses?
Will they undergo some changes? If yes, what are the changes?
What journey will the character undertake?
Has the character suffered any huge loss or trauma? If yes, what influences has it caused to his/her personality?
Does the character have any childhood friends and are they still in touch? What about siblings?
What is the character's childhood like? Peaceful or turbulent?
Does the character have any particular hobbies or unusual physical features? If yes, what's people's attitude towards it?
What about the character's morality or belief? How has he/she developed it and how far will the character go to protect it?
What's the character's ultimate goal? How does the character achieve it? In what way do the events or adventures in your
story help the character achieve the goal?
● Does the character long for establishing a family? If yes, what kind of partner does the character want?
● How is the interpersonal relationship of the character? Does he/she have any close friends? Or enemies? If so, who is it?
Why?
● What's the character's attitude towards others? Does he/she trust others easily?
The list could go on and on. The questions listed above aim just to give you some inspiration. They are not fixed rules to follow.
If you have planned everything out, then ignore them and go straight to your novel.
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Pace and Plots
Plots make up a story. But plots don't come as counting numbers in a rigid manner. How plots are organized affects the overall
pace of the story and also readers' mood. A good work at pace sets intervals reasonably between plots and keeps readers
attracted all along the ups and downs of the progress.
The pace has to go along with the plot.
With peaceful plots, where the mood is calm or soft, fast pace should be avoided and vice versa. Among all plots there should be
a major one that settles the central conflict. Before the story reaches climax, normally you'd need some prior plots to lay the
foundation or set the cliffhangers.
Keep in mind or keep a record of your writing plan. When is the climax going to happen? The pace gets intensified approaching
the climax, and relaxed between or before climaxes. Some experienced writers set a trap after a pre-climax plot by making the
pace slow for a while and suddenly raising it to a height where the abrupt occurrence brings characters to a new and bigger
trouble, which is also an effective way of controlling pace and attracting readers.
How do You Control the Pace of the Story?
Some small but effective writing devices are here for you to employ. For a reader to quickly grasp the general plot, the best way
is to know about what the characters do and say. When you describe how a character looks or what the environment is like, time
remains still. Only when characters act and converse does the plot start progressing. So if you are to accelerate the pace of the
story, reduce description and narration and turn them into dialogue and action.
If you plan to write a short and fast-paced story, keep descriptions concise. Limit them to the simplest language. Demonstrate
only the essential traits of the characters and the backstory and reduce adjectives and adverbs. Moreover, cut long sentences into
short ones and arrange more paragraphs. It is especially so when you want to highlight how two characters talk to each other.
You may also shorten the story by condensing the plot. Trim the sub-branches and make them the tales told by characters, and
you could save a lot of words intended for unfolding the plot.
But if you decide that it is gonna be a grand story where details are badly needed and multiple plotlines only enrich the content,
you are free to add descriptions and characters. In a word, it all depends on your writing plan.
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A General Exploration of Romance
It has been centuries since writers tapped into the field of romance. Theories are developed, structures built. We now even have
lots of tropes that readers refuse to accept as quality plotting. But writers still have the need to refer to the writing guide every
now and then. For starters, to follow a fixed route is the simplest way of getting started; for those who have got the hang of it, a
writing guide remains a reminder or complementary resource for them to resort to at times when you run out of inspiration.
Subgenres
Before you start writing, choose a subgenre that best suits your interests and abilities. If you're new to the writing career, a fixed
subgenre provides you with fixed structure and settings that allow you to quickly grasp what you need to build your own story.
Subgenres
Key Words
Contemporary romance Morden; after World
War II
Learn more about it
Contemporary love is most related to our lives. Think about the
relationships you have encountered, those between your parents, friends,
colleagues and even strangers, you'll think of a pretty good idea.
The most common topics range from childhood sweetheart, friends to
lovers, billionaire novels, etc.
Try to make good use of your daily observation and add creative ideas to
writing. Originality is what attracts readers.
Historical romance
Specific historical
background
It requires you to have a general knowledge of that particular time
period. If your story happens during Victoria's era, the etiquette,
including how people dress and the way people converse have to be in
line with the historical background. It can be challenging but also
interesting, and may win over a lot of readers if you map out your story
well.
Paranormal romance
Superpower;
Shapeshifting;
Werewolves;
Vampires;
Fairies
Paranormal stories contain magical creatures that don't really exist in the
real world and can hardly be explained by science. In these stories,
usually the protagonists themselves have magic power, or are able to
shapeshift. Werewolves and vampires are especially popular among
romance readers. We are going into details about these two subgenres
later in the guide.
Fantasy romance
An imagined world
In such novels, all countries, systems, and new creatures are created by
the author. It requires more creativity and knowledge than other genres.
You have to set up a whole system and it has to make sense. For a starter,
it doesn't seem reasonable to allocate too much energy in setting up the
"world", especially for a romance story where what's at stake is love and
interaction. Borrowing an existing setting is also a good choice.
Romantic suspense
Detective stories
with romance at its
core
Detective stories have long been a popular genre. Normally there has to
be some crimes where our heroine and hero strive to catch the criminal.
Within a detective story, they might encounter dangers and obstacles,
which are great devices to show their wisdom, courage, or opinions about
society. It also helps to promote their relationship when they combat
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crimes hand in hand.
Young adult
Love story of people
between 16 and 18
The hero and heroine may be between 16 and 18, and the story could be
a mixed production of romance and any other genre mentioned above.
Soul mates
More emphasis on
spiritual connection
Other than sexual attraction, people also value spiritual connection. For
those who are seeking a soul mate and who have a preference for the
gentle love and understanding between two flawed persons, a story that
probes into the inner world of characters, instead of the pure description
of physical attractiveness may be more appealing.
Others
M/m, lesbian, baby
love, medical
romance...
Other subgenres include the romantic relationships between same-gender
couples, people who develop love by raising a child together, people who
develop love by working together (often as surgeons and nurses)...
The Stages of a Romance
How our heroine and hero meet and approach each other differ by subgenres and the arrangement of different authors. Yet there
are still some general patterns to follow. You could further adapt them based on your own ideas.
On a grand scale, a romance should at least include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
The personal traits and backstories of the protagonists;
How they meet, know each other and fall in love (most often, they meet at the very start of the story);
The growing connection and tension between them;
The conflicts between them and how they overcome them (or get defeated) to get together.
Then comes the time of choice: Do you want to highlight the sweetness of love in which you could portray a couple being
together throughout the story, or set a bunch of obstacles so that the pair couldn't be together until the end of the story? They
lead to completely different arrangements.
Following are some examples for the arrangement of stories, have a look and design your own.
Example 1
For a childhood sweetheart story, stages of development could include (as in Flipped):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Meeting each other in childhood;
Events to demonstrate personal traits;
Conflicts arise;
Parents' or other adults' help or guidance;
Growing up (mentally and physically);
Falling in love.
Example 2
For a werewolf romance, stages may comprise:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Before the first shifts or awakening of the protagonists, how they get along;
First shifts and mating;
Conflicts (disagreement of minds, living in different packs);
Events to solve problems;
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5. Getting together.
Romance Tropes
Like subgenres, plots that happen a lot in romantic stories called romance tropes could also offer great help to those who just set
out on their writing careers.
A trope usually has stood the test of time by now. The popularity of it demonstrates how it is welcomed by a particular group of
readers. But if you follow the exact same route of former fictions, it is not likely to win the same amount of readers. One
"experienced" reader might have read many of the tropes before and could make a rather precise prediction as to where the story
is headed. So if you are writing about one of the topics below, make your own adaptations to arouse readers' interests.
1. Billionaire
2. Bad boy
3. Arranged marriage
4. Contract marriage/Fake relationship
5. Second chance
6. Friends to lovers
7. Enemies to lovers
8. Love at first sight
9. Friends with benefits
10. Love triangle
Conflicts
Falling in love takes a moment, but relationships need nourishing. The attraction between two individuals doesn't guarantee their
being together at the end of the story, because they will surely encounter a series of obstacles. Conflicts between a couple could
be both internal and external. Both types could threaten the relationship.
Internal
❏ Personality - It is hard for an introvert to be open to her love when they are almost strangers. It could be even
harder for a bad-tempered person to have a peaceful confession. When people with different personal traits come
together, conflicts arise.
❏ Habits - In more realistic novels, small habits including table manners could easily put a bad end to a first time
meeting. But in romance, it could be turned into a chance for two to get to know each other.
❏ Worldview - In wartime, one who's determined to sacrifice herself meets the other who enjoys peaceful and
personal life are bound to have a big fight over their life choice.
❏ Expectation and fears - Someone who got hurt in the last relationship may turn to a completely different type he
has dated. When he encounters his former favorite type and falls in love again, he still has the fear and dares not
come close. What will he choose to do?
External
❏ Family: Think about Cinderella. A billionaire's family most likely has the wish for him to marry the same-class
girl, and threatens him with his love's job or family members. If that is too ordinary, consider a female billionaire
in such a relationship. The other party's family may also have different opinions regarding their love.
❏ Class: Not only family members, the billionaire's friends and colleagues could also appear unsupportive and put
pressure on his partner. And our ordinary hero or heroine may suffer from consistent judgement because of the
class gap between them. But they could also be surprisingly strong and fight back on their own and demonstrate
their strength and value as an independent person.
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❏ Country: If our protagonists grow up in enemy countries, they are cultivated in utterly different ways and would
have clashed views over certain topics.
How to Write a Paranormal Romance?
Essentially, a paranormal romance is still romance, but it usually has a pattern to follow. You need to have a thorough
understanding of the popular mode before you make adjustments in your own writing. In terms of popularity, werewolf romance
and vampire romance are two that need your attention.
Werewolf Romance
Werewolves are creatures who can shift from human beings to wolves by their born power. When shifting to wolves, they
become stronger, faster and superior to human beings in terms of physical force and senses.
Werewolves live together as a pack. And the pack is actually a small hierarchical society. Alpha and Luna (Alpha's mate) lead
the pack. Under Alpha, we have Beta, Gamma, and Omega as well. Their strength decreases as the rank goes down. Some
stories don't mention Gamma or Omega. The rest of the pack would be collectively referred to as Warriors instead. Werewolf
romance is always centered around the love story between Alpha and Luna.
For werewolves, love is destined and exclusive. That kind of matches the wish of young people to find the one and only by
instinct. What's more, werewolves are born with the power to shapeshift and be able to combat powerful enemies. The
superman-like abilities always enchant young readers as they are in the exact phase of desiring power.
Key Concepts
Werewolf Blood
❏ Full blooded (80% of all) - both parents are werewolves.
❏ Half blooded - one of the parents is human. In this case, the kid may not grow up in a pack.
Shifts
Werewolves shift from humans to wolves. A full-blooded shifts between 10-16 whereas a half-blooded around 18 or
never. When they first shift, it causes a lot of pain. And it will take up to six months before they can have full control of
the transformation. Also the color of the eyes changes when they're in different forms. Their senses get sharpened, and
physique strengthened after the first shift.
Strengths and Weaknesses
❏ Strengths - Stronger and faster than humans, more like real wolves. Faster reflexes and sharper senses. Highly
resistant to injuries.
❏ Weaknesses - Werewolves are generally vulnerable to silver objects. When they transform back to human beings,
their power would be largely diminished, though still better than humans. After mates form a bond, they will feel
unbearably hurt when they're set apart at a large distance. The death of their mate hurts them more than anything
else.
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Ranks & Titles
Most common ones:
❏ Alpha - Leader; title passed to the first-born
❏ Luna - Leader; the mate for Alpha
❏ Beta - Second in command
Less common ones:
❏ Gamma - Third in command
❏ Omega - Servants
Notes:
❏ Gamma and omega are not often mentioned, especially for a small pack.
❏ The rest of the pack are more often referred to as "warriors".
❏ Between Gamma and Omega, some stories also have Delta, Epsilon, Zeta, Lota, and Kappa in between with
different duties.
Mates
1. Meeting each other - Mates are destined, but they might not be born into the same pack or not able to recognize
their partner when they're very young. Humans can also be mates for werewolves, but only their offspring will have
the opportunity to shapeshift.
2. Finding attracted to their mates - When werewolves enter into adulthood, their sense for the one and only partner
becomes sharp and they will instantly recognize their mates by instinct, touch, smell or eye contact.
3. Forming a bond - Once werewolves find their mates, they will move on to the next stage where often the female
werewolf would have a heat, sending a signal to her partner that she's ready. By making marks and having intimate
contacts they confirm their relationship as mates.
4. Connection - After forming the bond, the mind link and connection between the couple are strengthened, thus it
would be unbearable to set them apart. If one's mate dies, he will suffer from agony. In some settings, authors could
arrange another mate, but normally one werewolf has one mate throughout his life.
What You Can Write About
The major conflicts in a werewolf story comprise ranks, wars between packs and the pre-destined mates. Alpha leads the pack
and everyone has to obey him. For some ordinary members of the pack that are born weak, they're likely to be bullied by those
"superior" to them. That creates tension in the werewolf pack, a hierarchical society. But that also leaves a space for the
character's transformation to become strong and powerful.
Wars are another main plot driver for both the plotline and the relationship between our heroine and hero. Wars could lead to
peace and conciliation, and it could also lead to larger wars and loss of life and love.
Conflicts between mates result from the unpredictability. For those who are enemies or strangers at the start, it is understandable
that they feel reluctant to accept the destined mate. But because of the same reason, how they change their mind or defy their
destiny would be quite intriguing.
Vampire Romance
Be sure to choose a sub-genre for your story. A vampire story can also be a detective one, or one mainly about romantic love, or
even a mixed production. If you are new to vampire stories, take your time thinking about it. Write down your ideas and make
an outline to ensure you are in control.
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Creating Characters
What are your protagonist and major characters like? You may describe them from aspects including: appearances, abilities,
weaknesses, habits and behaviors, relationship with others, etc. Learn what an average vampire is like before you create your
own.
Appearance, Personality and Habits
Vampires tend to have pale skin, because they're dead and have to hide from the sunshine. When they come out in the day, they'll
have to wear sunglasses or more clothes than ordinary people to cover up their bodies. Vampires have fangs. They use them to
bite prey and turn humans into their own kind. Compared with average people, vampires have alluring beauty, which accounts
for the reason why humans are attracted to them.
Despite the stunning beauty, vampires in fictions are often ruthless figures. They have strong desires both for blood and sex.
Vampires come out at night. With great night vision and superpowers, they can hunt in the dark. The major energy supply for
them is blood, from animals or human beings. Some can also have ordinary food as humans. That depends on how the author
plans. In the day when they're forced to stay indoors, they usually sleep in coffins.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Vampires' weaknesses are as apparent as their stunning beauty: They're afraid of sunshine, and would be burnt or even destroyed
by pure and intense sunlight. Other than sunshine, wooden stake, silver, garlic, holy symbols and fire could also be fatal.
When they have a chance to go out, however, their supernatural abilities give them great advantages. Most of them have super
hearing and vision, and some can even fly.
That also explains why in some stories vampires could transform to bats. They're swift and are good at hiding themselves in the
dark. They're also said to be able to transform into a mist or a wolf.
To sum up - Your own vampire characters don't have to be the same as those illustrated above. They can have their own
unique habits or pet phrases. By giving creations their own traits, you make the story more believable. But they must have
some essential traits that make them vampires. Apart from what has been mentioned, it also helps to go into details about
the vampire's life before he was turned.
How to Write a Billionaire Novel
Billionaire novels are extremely popular among readers because they satisfy many fantasies that are even unknown to oneself.
Fantasies like the chance to hobnob and even marry the rich, the possibility of finding true love in spite of differences in social
status... The key in writing such novels is to invite your readers to experience the life that they can't have in reality.
In such novels, the heroine, after meeting her true love, has to go through twists and turns before she and the billionaire can
finally live happily ever after. But as the heroine always gets what she desires at the end of the story, readers who tend to see the
heroine as a substitution of themselves are satisfied.
Characters of Billionaire Novels
As the name suggests, a billionaire novel can't work without a billionaire. How you craft a billionaire is of paramount
importance. It determines how much your novel will be liked by readers.
Billionaires
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Common traits:
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Extremely rich
Indifferent to beauties
Outstandingly handsome
Arrogant and domineering
Never believing in true love
One example of a billionaire can be a charming and well-educated CEO with good fortune, however overbearing and bossy at
the same time. Before meeting the heroine, he doesn't believe in true love. But the heroine makes him see that true love does
exist and that there are actually other ways of living a life. A billionaire can also be an heir to an international consortium, an
investor, an inventor...But whatever their job is, you can always refer to these tips to write a likeable billionaire:
● Write a believable billionaire. When creating a billionaire, do some research on their lifestyle unless you yourself are a
billionaire and know exactly the way a billionaire works, thinks, talks, and his attitude towards people around him, etc.
Ordinary people always find it hard to imagine billionaires' lives. Details that make an invented billionaire believable
likely include: being surrounded by a group of bodyguards, having several personal assistants working for him, having
personal chefs cooking meals tailored to his tastes, chauffeurs (even private pilots) on call around the clock to take him
wherever he wants...to name but a few. Sometimes it's hard to find the exact information, you'd argue. Yes, only
billionaires know the actual situation and each billionaire acts in his own way. But no worries, aside from some digging
and what you've learned from movies, use your imagination. As long as what you write makes sense, it'll work.
● Give your billionaire some likeable traits. Your audience won't like a billionaire who is only bossy and arrogant,
especially an extremely wealthy one. Make him a cat or dog person, or a philanthropic one who looks cold on the outside
but has a tender heart.
● Incurable asshole is a no-no. Readers won't fall for a complete jerk unless he changes. He can be bossy and arrogant but
he will change for the heroine. He will learn to be gentle and how to love, which is what usually melts readers' hearts. He
might be flawed, but readers still love him.
Heroines
The heroine is mostly an independent, optimistic and pretty girl worthy of a billionaire's love. She works hard for her own goals.
Some common settings for heroines of this genre include:
● An ordinary girl striving to make a living; A girl who has an ordinary family, goes to college, finds a job after graduation,
and seeks true love.
● Rich girl suffering a huge blow and driven to a dire situation, thus turning to the billionaire for help as those in some
surrogate novels.
Apart from those, she could also be employed by his company. She might be a waitress, a designer, a singer, an actor and the
billionaire happens to meet her where she works...to mention a few. Or the billionaire is her old flame, her ex-husband and they
meet again by coincidence. And as they try to approach each other the second time, they find the other party different.
There are loads of settings for you to explore. It all depends on your imagination. You can write whatever you think is
reasonable.
A Template
Note: This template aims only to give you some clues on writing a billionaire novel. Feel free to make revisions or create your
own. Readers would love it if you can bring them something creative.
1. Create an ordinary female protagonist like we are.
2. Then a billionaire, the most attractive guy you have ever seen.
3. They meet by chance! They feel an indescribable pull for each other at first sight and exchange names and phone
numbers.
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4. She finds out his true identity and hesitates as they come from utterly different worlds but also wonders whether the
billionaire likes her or not when she receives a gift from him.
5. She is excited and decides to give it a try when a love rival shows up, making her feel insecure.
6. But the billionaire takes care of everything, telling her that he only loves her and they fall deeper for each other.
7. Arguments arise, and the rival takes the opportunity to cause trouble, furthering their conflicts.
8. She leaves in anger and tears, but unexpectedly falls into danger.
9. Billionaire turns up at the last minute to save her. Holding her in arms, he clarifies everything.
10. Misunderstandings cleared and the moment when they're about to embrace a happy end, the billionaire's family step in.
But this time, they choose to face it hand in hand and finally live happily ever after.
Genre Plots for Your Reference
Here we try to inspire you with some genre plots. You're more than welcomed to share with readers more creative ideas.
● Contract marriage: The heroine is sold to the hero by her family or trapped by her step sisters or friends and then gets
involved in a contractual marriage.
● Chasing the wife: The hero is arrogant at first, but then he realizes how much he loves the heroine and makes attempts to
win her back.
● Mysterious identity: The hero has a special identity and protects the heroine secretly. The hero finally gets the heroine
out of difficulties.
● Surrogate: The heroine is forced to be a surrogate due to some family reasons like a huge debt caused by bankruptcy, and
that's when she meets the hero. At first their relationship is nothing but a deal. Yet in the process of surrogacy, they
gradually fall for each other.
Note: Cute babies can be added to all the above settings to give the protagonists a reason for being together before they develop
a genuine relationship.
To sum up, although billionaire novels are pretty much the same in terms of general plots and characterization, they're popular
for a reason. The hero helping the heroine out of difficulties is easy to resonate with readers. At some point in our life, we might
also wish for a "superman" who could help us solve all problems. It's true that there might be an exaggeration of the agonies that
the protagonists have to go through, but it is the process of the two weathering through rains and storms as well as the romance
that the hero brings to the heroine that meets readers' expectation for true love.
How to Write a Kickass Heroine Novel
Novels with a kickass heroine develop the plots around the female protagonist. She gets all the attention. Her growth from some
stupid girl easily falling for lies and tricks to someone independent and smart to stick up for herself is relatable to readers. In
such novels the motivation and ultimate goal of the heroine is not solely to gain the love of the hero, but to be a better her who
overcomes her previous weakness and finds her own path to success.
Everything is set to help the heroine achieve her goal. Obstacles are set to demonstrate how she copes with adversities and learns
from each matter she either successfully handles or fails to manage. Antagonists are designed to help her see through people and
know whom to trust in the future. The hero is there to help her in every way he can, and his role is not as heavy as that of the
heroine.
Tips to Create a Kickass Heroine That Resonates with Readers
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The key to creating a kickass heroine that will connect with readers is, as mentioned before, to make her a strong and real
person, not someone perfect with all great merits. And by kickass, she doesn't have to be physically strong. Strength is more than
that.
Tips for different settings
● Kickass heroines in fantasy and paranormal novels are usually courageous, cunning and smart. They compete with men in
battles, they have unswerving faith in what they deem right and they are willing to die fighting for their ideals or love.
● Heroines for contemporary settings don't have the chance to go into battles or save the world. But that's okay, as what
makes a heroine "strong" isn't merely her physical strength, but her heart, her willpower and her being true to her inner
self. You can portray them strong and kickass in ways where they strive to live their own lives. Girls who fight against the
conventions and strive to get rid of the stereotypes, girls who suffer from serious diseases but never give in, girls who
never let others define who they are...
Common tips applying to all settings
● Character arc of the heroine is important. An innocent girl learns to be cunning and smart, a shy one grows more
confident, a useless one who toughens up and takes revenge...the list could go on. Whatever her journey is, make sure she
is different by the end of the story, attaining some qualities that the previous her long to have but doesn't.
● Heroines should be independent and have a mind of their own. Don't let your heroine give in to the hero and make
excuses for his wrongdoings, nor should she believe in whatever the hero tells her. That doesn't make a strong heroine.
She can take advantage of his help but with a clear mind, and don't make it like she has to turn to the hero for every single
issue she faces.
● Vulnerability is a must. That's what makes your readers feel sympathetic. A heroine without any vulnerability will come
across as cold and boring. But one with vulnerability strikes as real. As in Wonder Woman 1984, Diana Prince comes into
her full powers, courageous and level-headed most of the time. She helps those in need, bringing justice to the world, but
she has this one vulnerability, that is her long lost beloved brought back by a wish she unwittingly makes before the wish
stone, a wish she refuses to renounce because she can't bear the pain of losing him again. And that's what makes her, an
ethereal goddess, human.
How to Write a Long Story
A long story is a good choice if you want to express an idea or portray some social lives in great detail. It gives writers more
space and freedom to depict characters and arrange plots. With appealing plots and characters, a long story can keep readers
engaged for a longer time. Here we provide some tips for writing a long and intriguing novel.
1. Set Complications and Obstacles
All novels need an intriguing storyline, and a long novel especially so. Besides the storyline, conflicts and complications are
what make the story dramatic. If your protagonist pursues something, don't just give it straight to him/her. Try to set some
obstacles, be it a tricky situation or a tough boss to deal with, and elaborate on how your protagonist overcomes all those to
finally achieve their goals. Better that the obstacles get thornier every time to get your readers hooked. That process reveals
personality.
All protagonists have their objectives, the motivation that pushes the story forward. Success is great, but an easy one won't be
able to impress the readers. Show your readers that the character you're trying to portrait is vivid and real enough to resonate,
giving your readers a reason to laugh, cry and grow with the character.
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2. Flesh Out the Novel with Subplots
Subplots enrich the story and could win over readers if nicely arranged. For example, if you're considering writing a romance
novel, the main plot of course has to be the romantic relationship between the hero and heroine and how they overcome
obstacles to finally find each other their soulmate. Apart from whatever may come in between them, you could also write about
their past, their career, their family, etc.
One thing to remember, try to avoid some redundant subplots that'll bore your readers. Boredom is the last thing we'd want to
see in a story. Make sure the subplots supplement and reinforce the main plotline, and in the meantime enrich the personality of
the characters.
3. Introduce New Characters
The main character alone is not enough to make a good story. Characters like us meet new people every now and then. Introduce
new characters as required by the plot and let them play their roles, either by challenging your protagonist along the journey or
by causing complications, to make the story complete.
One more thing, be specific. Write in detail when introducing characters to readers, especially the protagonist. How they look,
the way they speak and dress, their attitude towards others…all of these help present to the readers a clear image of the
characters. Make sure the description is not against the character's personality or the situation he/she's in.
4. Enrich Character Backstory
Characters' backstory is vital for the motivation that drives the plot. The characters' background and past experience serve to
justify their everyday behaviors, decisions and the way they treat others. They make them complicated yet complete figures.
Characters with weak backstory may appear one-dimensional, which I believe, is not something you'd like to see in your
characters. Uncover the characters' backstories in ways such as a flashback or narrative. Dialogue will also do, but don't make it
too long or it will exhaust your readers.
Note: Include only the information that benefits the plot. You, as the author, have to know everything about every detail of your
characters' backstories, because that'll help you write from the character's point of view. But to not bore the readers with
overly-exhausted details, things that are not directly related to the ongoing events of the story could be kept only to you.
5. Stretch the Timeline
How long is the time span of your story? Is it a week, a month or a year? Make it years, and you can add additional characters,
events, and subplots to complicate your story.
In urban romance, you can start from the main characters' high school where they meet and fall for each other, but then get
separated because they have to go to different universities, and during which they have to solve issues caused by long distance,
changes of their personalities under different environments, etc., before they finally get together. In those years when they can't
stay with each other, you can introduce new characters and conflicts brought by them to hinder or promote their relationship.
The time of them being apart could be further lengthened as they choose different career paths after graduation, which gives you
more space for creating conflicts.
How to Make Revisions
Some might question the need to make revisions, and some have a quite narrow understanding of it. Simply put, making
revisions on a regular basis is necessary and contributes a great deal to the success of a good work. Then where to start? First of
all, identify where you should make revisions. The two main problems you need to take care of when it comes to making
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revisions are: regular corrections such as grammar mistakes, spelling mistakes, inconsistent details, etc., and the adjustment
of storylines.
● For minor problems, a regular check on your work improves your general writing and gives readers a better impression. If
there are too many spelling or punctuation problems, readers will have to pause from time to time to figure out what you
are saying.
● For the latter problem, which is related to the theme or plots of the story, making revisions is not only necessary, but
critical, especially for fresh writers. As an inexperienced writer, it's hard to keep in track while the story is advancing.
Sometimes you could spend too much time on a minor detail and distract readers' attention from the core plot. Careful
readers will notice where it goes wrong.
Tips That Help
Do you care to get rid of grammar, spelling or punctuation mistakes? Are you worried about attracting readers? Would you like
to improve your writing, including the storyline, pace and structure? Here are some simple tips for your reference:
1. Refer to some tools for help. Digital tools that make automatic corrections offer great help in reducing your grammar,
spelling and punctuation problems. But they cannot do everything for you. If readers point out where you go wrong in the
book, check if they are right and make revisions.
2. Make revisions periodically. Go back to the former plots every now and then and see if it has any problems (e.g. misuse
of words). It's always better to spot the problem at the early stage.
3. Be consistent. Check if your writing is consistent. Don't mistake one character's name for the other. And always keep in
mind the personality of your characters. A good way of doing this is to have a detailed outline or to keep a record of your
essential plots and characters.
4. Delete redundant content and unnecessary plotlines. If a character or a plot doesn't contribute to the main events, think
about getting rid of it. Every character who has a name needs to be useful in your book, or they will be getting in the way.
Unnecessary plotlines may include those without any conflicts; those involving too many minor characters that readers
don't care about; and those causing a lot more time to write than expected.
5. Project scenes more vividly. It's hard to have readers' attention, and it'll be even so if you only provide them with bland
description instead of motion. Give your readers more conversations, actions and expressions if you find it flat while
revisiting your story.
6. Turn to your friends, other writers, editors, and readers for advice. Given the amount of readers (could be a lot in the
future), they will most likely detect the problems you ignore. So do reach out to your audience for their advice. For minor
mistakes including the spelling and grammar mistakes, readers are more sensitive than you are because they would be
interrupted if these problems come up too often. Be sure to go through your chapters quickly before you upload them to
the platform and check on readers' views from time to time and make revisions.
You are also encouraged to seek help from other writers and your editor. People who write themselves know better what you
should get for making revisions. If you have no idea why your readers feel uninterested in your book, ask professionals.
What Keeps Readers Interested in Your Story?
Fundamentally, what keeps readers is your plotline, whether it is intriguing and well-paced. That said, there are ways you can
keep readers interested in your story for a longer time.
1. Intriguing Cliffhangers
A cliffhanger is a commonly used writing technique to intrigue readers, to compel them to read on. A good cliffhanger usually
creates suspense and questions waiting to be answered, keeps readers engaged, and makes the readers thirst for more. It's a good
idea to leave a cliffhanger at the end of the chapter so your audience will be anticipating the next one. Thus this part can also be
seen as tips for ending a chapter.
Cliffhanger is a writing technique that can be learnt and practiced. Therefore, we've listed some common ways to set
cliffhangers.
● A question to be answered or a decision to be made. The point is to keep your readers hooked. Whatever questions and
decisions that will connect with the readers will work.
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● Beginning of something. Introduce something new at the end of a chapter, be it a conflict or a dire situation. Protagonists
in a dire situation will propel your readers to keep reading. They'll worry about what will happen to the protagonist. Will
he find a way to get out of it? Or will he fall?
● A plot turn. Impart to your audience that this is the watershed point of your story and plot after that is going to be very
different.
● Dialogue of revelation. Dialogue is an indispensable and special part of novels. Words in the dialogue always serve some
purpose, either to show the personality of the character or reveal important information highly relevant to the plot.
Consider ending your chapter with dialogue that reveals information, better if the dialogue only reveals half of the
information.
● A heavy loss of the protagonist, especially something the protagonist can't bear to live without. It could be the loss of a
beloved, a relationship, something the protagonist has strong attachment to, etc.
● A hint that something the protagonist wants is about to be attained, or the villain is about to be punished.
● A glimmer of hope for a desperate situation. Both the protagonist and your readers have been through this period of
desperation and right at the end of the chapter, there comes the glimmer of hope that everything is going to be solved.
There're many other skills of leaving a cliffhanger not covered above, and you're welcomed to have your own way of doing it.
However, whatever it is, make sure your cliffhanger is sudden, surprises your readers and is followed by a resolution, a
resolution not too long nor too slow or it might have the opposite effect as readers' emotion, be it anxiety, worry or anticipation,
will decline.
Cliffhangers can be created in many ways. However, depending on the story, cliffhangers should evolve naturally and fit into the
plot to make it effective and attractive.
2. Regular Updates
Regular updates are essential to keep readers hooked. There are millions of novels out there and it already takes great effort to
keep readers attracted to yours. When they do, make reading your novel a daily habit, or they might just walk away.
Set a daily word count and allocate a certain time period for writing. Try your best to stick to your plan. Bit by bit, you will have
a long story finished.
3. Interaction with Readers
Readers are the ones who get to decide whether your novel is great. Read their feedback and let them know that you care.
However, don't feel upset when receiving negative comments. Nobody is able to be liked by everyone. Focus on your story,
because that's what matters most.
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