Mastering the Art of Novel Writing: Insights from Jerry Jenkins’ 12-Step Process

Writing a novel can feel like an overwhelming task, especially for beginners. But what if you had a proven roadmap to guide you through the process? In his YouTube video, “How to Write a Novel: My Proven 12-Step Process”, bestselling author Jerry Jenkins shares the method that has enabled him to write over 130 novels in his illustrious 40-year career. Whether you’re an aspiring novelist or a seasoned writer looking for structure, Jenkins’ advice is packed with actionable insights.

Key Takeaways from the Video

Start with Passion and a Winning Idea

Jenkins emphasizes the importance of choosing a story idea you’re deeply passionate about. This passion will sustain you through the challenging “marathon of the middle,” ensuring your story remains engaging from start to finish. He advises prioritizing ideas that excite you and have enough depth to carry an entire novel.

Understand Your Writing Style: Outliner vs. Pantser

Writers fall into two categories: outliners, who meticulously plan their story, and pantsers, who write by the seat of their pants. Jenkins encourages writers to embrace whichever approach feels natural but stresses the need for some structural guidance to avoid burnout.

Craft Unforgettable Characters

A compelling protagonist is essential. Jenkins suggests creating characters with depth, flaws, and a clear arc of growth. He also highlights the importance of crafting a formidable antagonist with believable motivations.

Nail Your Opener

The opening line sets the tone for your novel. Jenkins shares four types of openers—surprise, dramatic statement, philosophical, and poetic—and provides examples from literary classics to inspire writers.

Show, Don’t Tell

One of the most critical skills in fiction writing is showing rather than telling. Instead of stating that a character is angry, show their flushed face or clenched fists. This engages readers and activates their imagination.

Ramp Up Conflict and Stakes

Conflict is the engine of fiction. Jenkins advises making life progressively harder for your protagonist, ensuring that every attempt to solve their problems leads to more complications.

Deliver a Satisfying Climax and Resolution

The climax should be the emotional high point of your story, where all conflicts come to a head. Jenkins stresses the importance of paying off all setups and delivering an ending that rewards readers for sticking with you.

Engage the Reader’s Imagination

Show, don’t tell. Use vivid descriptions and sensory details to immerse readers in your story world.

Intensify Conflict

Raise the stakes by complicating your protagonist’s journey at every turn. Conflict drives engagement and keeps readers hooked.

Make the Predicament Hopeless

Create moments where resolution seems impossible. This heightens tension and deepens emotional investment.

Deliver a Climax

Build toward an unforgettable climax where all conflicts converge. This should be the emotional high point of your novel.

Leave Readers Satisfied

Resolve all loose ends and deliver an ending that feels earned—whether happy or bittersweet—to reward readers for their journey.

Bonus Resources

Jenkins offers additional tools to support writers:

• A Self-Editing Checklist to refine your manuscript.
• A Free Novel-Writing Guide, providing further insights into his process.

These resources are designed to help writers polish their work before submitting it to agents or publishers.

Why This Process Works

Jenkins’ 12-step process is rooted in decades of experience and tailored for both beginners and experienced writers. By focusing on structure, character development, and storytelling fundamentals, it eliminates much of the trial-and-error that can discourage new authors.

Tags

NovelWriting #JerryJenkins #WritingTips #FictionWriting #CreativeWriting #StoryStructure #CharacterDevelopment #WritingProcess

Sources
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