If you have a keen interest in writing fiction, then you have probably been struggling with the same problem for years. You want to write a book, but you don’t know where to start. You might have even tried reading the traditional advice on writing a novel, but it probably doesn’t help that much. Traditional storytelling methods may encourage you to write in a way that is pleasing to the ear, but they may not necessarily help you reach your full potential. That is why you need to find a more modern solution to the problem. Enter the Knowledge Matrix. The Knowledge Matrix is a tool that helps you organize and synthesize the vast amount of information that you will need to tell your story effectively. It is essentially a mind-mapping tool that helps you visualise the various components of your novel and the relationships between them. Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s take a quick look at why you might want to write a book.
The Rise In Self-Publishing
In case you haven’t heard, traditional publishers’ market share is declining every year. This is mainly because of the rise in self-publishing. Self-publishing is simply the act of publishing a book without the help of a traditional publisher. This option was previously closed to most people, but the emergence of the indie author’s movement has dramatically changed that. Now, everyone can be a writer, regardless of whether or not they have formal training. This has led to a rise in self-publishing, as hundreds of thousands of individuals can now put their books out there for the world to read. Despite the growing popularity of self-publishing, it is still considered a somewhat risky venture. You may encounter many ups and downs along the way, but in the end, you will achieve something that you always wanted to – write a book.
The Indie Author Movement
This is the generation of writers that grew up with the world wide web. They are accustomed to accessing information at the click of a button. They thrive in a fast-paced digital world, and so do their books. For years, traditional publishers have dominated the book publishing scene. They picked the books that they thought would be most appealing to a mainstream audience and neglected the rest. As a result, a lot of exceptional fiction never saw the light of day. This has led to a rise in self-publishing, as more and more people are realizing that they can put their stories out there for the world to see and possibly enjoy.
If you are interested in writing fiction, then it is imperative that you find a solution to the problem. You must understand that there is more than one approach to solving the problem. You can –
Learn How to Write
Yes, as mentioned above, self-publishing is a great option for those who want to write fiction. However, it is not the only option. If you want to write a book, then you should definitely learn how to write. There are a number of institutions that offer courses on writing fiction. You can take these courses via an online platform, which makes them accessible anywhere. This is even more beneficial for people who are keen to write but cannot due to a lack of time. These courses will not only teach you the craft of writing, but they will also enhance your understanding of literary analysis and the rules of good storytelling. Furthermore, a certificate might be awarded to you at the end of the course. This may not seem like an obvious solution to the problem, but many aspiring writers consider it to be the key to becoming a successful author.
Producing A Good Story
A good storyteller will always seek to entertain their audience. That is why you will always find an interesting – but concise – backstory, characters with clear motivations, and a good mix of tension and excitement. A good storyteller will also make sure that their audience understands the significance of what is going on. This means using descriptive language, making proper use of simile, and using irony when appropriate. A skilled storyteller will be able to reduce writer’s block – if they ever experience it – by applying what they have learned and using the Knowledge Matrix to produce a solid, well-written storyline. In short, if you want to write fiction, then you need to learn how to write.
How To Write A Novel The Right Way
A lot of fiction writers swear by the Knowledge Matrix. It is a tool that many consider to be indispensable when trying to write a novel. The Knowledge Matrix will help you keep track of all the information that you will need to –
- write an interesting story
- make your readers – and yourself – think
- ensure that your story is structured logically
- and makes sense
- all the while not relying too heavily on the advice of others
If you want to write a novel, then you should definitely try out the Knowledge Matrix. It will not only help you with the above mentioned problems, but it will also allow you to –
Visualise The Characters & Setting
One of the most challenging things about writing fiction is visualizing the various characters and the setting. You want your readers to be able to picture what is happening in your story, so you will need to create detailed, concrete images in your head. This may prove tricky, especially if you have never done this before. Luckily, the Knowledge Matrix can help with this issue. When you visualize characters and setting in your head, you will be able to write down the exact physical descriptions, as well as the mannerisms and quirks of each one. This will assist you in creating detailed and believable characters. It will also make it much easier for you to –
Create A Plot & Sequence Of Events
A plot twist is one of the most exciting things about a story. It brings a fresh perspective to the narrative and allows the audience to see things from a different angle. Inevitably, there will be some details that you may leave out of your story. This is because of the restraints of time and space. However, a good plot twist can still surprise the reader, while not compromising the logic of what happened previously. To achieve this, you will need to think of a way to tie together all the various plot lines and ideas that you come up with. In the process of creating your plot and sequence of events, you will want to make sure that you are not overwhelming your audience – nor dumbing down the story – by over-explaining things. A good plot twist can still surprise the reader, while not compromising the logic of what happened previously.
Developing Character Archetypes
One of the great things about having a diverse cast of characters is that you can apply what you learn to many different situations. This is why you will typically find many different types of people in every fiction story. There will be the jock, the prude, the nerd, the rebel, the et cetera. When you begin developing your character archetypes, it is important to make them distinct from one another. This will help you identify with a character more easily and make the story much more personal. In short, each character archetype will need to have its own distinct personality – and preferably, a quirk or an idiosyncrasy – that will make it easy for the reader to relate to them.
Make The Story Stand Out
No matter what type of story you want to write, whether it is fiction or non-fiction, there is always one thing that you want your audience to remember – Your Story. If you want people to relate to your characters and enjoy reading your book, then it is important to give it a unique selling point. This could be something as simple as a fun premise or twist – something that will make the story more interesting than the norm – or it could be the setting – the place – that makes the story unique. Remember, this is your chance to write what you know best, and in doing so, allow other people to connect with your work and enjoy your creative writing.
Organizing all of this information into a Knowledge Matrix is one of the best ways to write a novel. Once you have done that, the writing process will seem much easier. You will no longer need to worry about whether or not you have everything planned. The information will be there, in your head, and so –