How to Write a Novel That Matters

You don’t just want to be a novelist—you want to be one whose stories are remembered. Are you ready to discover the secret?

You’ve read hundreds of novels over the years, each one teaching you a little more about the kind of writer you want to be—but the truth is, you don’t remember all of them.

Some works of fiction disappear from your mind as soon as you’ve read them, while others haunt you for days, sometimes even returning years later in a flash of imagery or the recognition of a theme playing out in real life.

These are the stories that resonate. These are the stories that matter. These are the stories you want to write.

To do that, you must take a journey of discovery. You must not just read fiction—you must be able to analyze it too.

It’s no secret that successful fiction involves five fundamental elements: Plot, character, setting, style, and theme.

It’s that last one that so many novelists seem to struggle with—and that’s the one that determines whether your novel resonates with its audience. That’s the one that determines whether your book is a book that will be remembered.

When you truly understand theme, you can push your writing to reach its full potential. Whether you’re on your own journey as a novelist or you teach the craft to others, this is an understanding you need under your belt.