A Bestselling Novel Avoids Self-Conscious Writing

Self-conscious writing can also lead to contriving scenes or, God forbid, a contrived novel. Everyone has heard critics pan stories as being contrived. This happens when a story is over planned. When a story outline becomes less a map and more a paint by number scheme, then the story and characters are not allowed to develop and grow. Instead of coming alive, the story seems dead. It may be a competent story and it will probably even get published, but it will never break out of the mid list and become a hit. With the plethora of mid list romances, mysteries and thrillers available, it's not difficult to find an example. Compare Danielle Steele to any of the lesser romance writers, Michael Crichton to copycat thriller writers and you will see what I mean. It's not that their stories are better or even better written. But there is something in these bestselling books that seems to come from the heart. These authors believe in what they are writing about and they write because they love it and not because they ever dreamed of becoming bestselling authors.

So, while writing a basic story outline is imperative, following it to the letter is not. Stephen King never outlines which is why his stories sometimes feel loose, but they always feel real. Finding a balance between outlining and allowing your story characters to act and react to events which might change the story, create new plot twists, even change the ending, will make your story seem organic and visceral, rather than tightly planned and contrived.

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