Every writer would like to create a classic novel. But what makes a classic novel? Is it the themes? Or the elements of novel in literature that make it up? Well, before I answer these questions, let’s quickly take a look at the general definition of the word, “classic.” The Cambridge Advanced Learners Dictionary defines “classic” (noun) as, “a piece of writing, a musical recording, or a film that is well-known and of a high standard and lasting value.” Let’s examine another definition; the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary defines it as, “a book, film/movie or song which is well-known and considered to be of very high quality, setting standards for other books, etc.” (Note the words, like well-known, high standard, lasting value, and high quality).
So, in simpler words, a classic is a novel of all time, a “canon,” a popular write-up that other writers and scholars can always refer to anytime, even 100 years after the publication. You may have probably done some research or even written an essay on some of the all-time classics, like William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, and would like to replicate a work like that. If you’d like to know more, I’d advise you search for the https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/macbeth/ or even the best free Macbeth essays so you can get to read free Macbeth essay examples to see how to write a classic novel and recreate works of art that have lasting values. But, contrary to what you may already think, writing a one is not entirely complicated. All you need are some classic elements, tips, and examples, which this interesting article provides.
Make your story personal and relatable
As a writer, knowing that you have a targeted audience — readers — that you can speak to with your printed words, is an art on its own. Readers tend to remember an author, or character, in a novel more if they can directly relate to the messages being passed across. Aside from this, making your story personal, even if it is only just fiction, can make your book popular and an all-time best. Look at all the books that have attained this status, they all try to present messages that the readers can easily relate to, something that directly affects them.
Make use of different types of unforgettable characters
A classic novel makes use of diverse characters that readers will find extremely difficult to forget. It must be a story of people from different homes or background, and with different behaviors and attitudes that reflect their general perspective about life.
A novel like Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels is a perfect example. Jonathan was able to make use of different character types, infusing magical realism to spark up the readers’ imagination and opinions. That’s a book I cannot ever forget. It tells a story of more than one of the characters and is not entirely focused on just the eponymous character alone. It captures everything familiar to the human-folk: the hate, love, neglect, and so on, we all exhibit.
Before going ahead to write your next novel, you might want to ask yourself the following questions:
● Do my characters reflect the diversity we have in the world? A work of fiction imitates real-life people, experiences, and events. You would want to create characters that can accurately reflect real-life occurrences and can perfectly convey the message that you have for your readers.
● Is the relationship between all my characters closely-knit and reasonably tight? You don’t want to talk about a character without any reasonable connection with the other characters? There must also be clear links between the characters and the message each of them is trying to pass on.
Make plot structure and development logical and interesting
The best classic novels have logically structured plot and story development. Decide on the plot structure, so you don’t confuse your readers. The all-time best novels have only been able to earn the title “classic” because they have a structure that readers find very interesting. Many times, I’ve dropped a novel because of the clumsy way the writer arranged their storyline. If you want to make your next novel one for all periods, you need to make it logical and well-structured. Don’t make it bland too. Readers love suspense, a story that engages them every time they read and reread it.
Make use of themes and literary elements of lasting value and standard
The classic novels we have today are not just considered “classic” because we all just decided to tag them with that “canon” or “high-quality” status. They all present ever-present issues and themes, using quaint styles that cannot ever become old or obsolete. And those are the kind of styles you should start using to make your works classic.
Note that these tips are not all-encompassing, as there is no format to writing a classic novel. But if you want to start writing one, you should start using them if you haven’t already. You can get free essay papers and find paper samples on any topic you’d like to look into. For example, free Macbeth essays can provide you with ample examples that can get you started on your next piece.
