Different Techniques of Writing Novels

There is visibly a distinction between the scope of a dramatist and that of a novelist. A dramatist enjoys a very limited scope to unfold his purpose of vision of life. For, within two or three stage hours he must complete his dramatic design, complying with the principles of three unities the unity of time, place and action. But a novelist, on the other hand, can enjoy unlimited time and scope to build up the characters in his novel. And if he so wishes, he can also include long explanation in favour of his own philosophy.

 It is obvious, therefore, that a novelist can enjoy greater liberty and wider scope by adopting different technical devices in his novel, while the liberty of a dramatist is all too restricted. Novel writing involves a variety of techniques that authors use to structure their stories, develop characters, and engage readers. The choice of technique often depends on the author’s style, the type of novel being written, and the thematic concerns of the story. Below are some of the most common and effective techniques used in novel writing. However, of the different narrative devices, mention may be made to the few important narrative models: omniscient view, the first person narrative, epistolary novel, dialogue in novel ,  stream of consciousness novel etc..

Omniscient view

Definition: The narrator knows all the thoughts, feelings, and actions of all the characters in the story. This point of view provides a wide-angle view of the world and characters.

Example: War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy.

Effect: The third-person omniscient narrator provides a comprehensive perspective, allowing the author to explore multiple characters and subplots simultaneously. It gives a bird’s-eye view of the story, providing insight into every aspect of the narrative.

The most usual kind of narration adopted by a novelist is what we call an ‘omniscient view’. What we mean by the expression ‘omniscient view’ is that the novelist describes not only the outward behaviour in an action of his characters but also their thoughts and feelings. That is, an omniscient narrator describes his story with God like case, as it capable of seeing every event which concerns his characters. The novelist goes even to that extant of knowing their inner most thoughts and motives. Galsworthy’s The Forsyte Saga may be cited as an instance to this point.

Third-Person Limited Narrative

Definition: The narrator only knows the thoughts and feelings of one or a few characters, while the rest of the characters are viewed externally.
Example: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
Effect: This technique allows the reader to closely follow one character’s journey while maintaining a sense of objectivity about the surrounding world. It balances intimacy with a character and narrative distance.

Third-Person Limited Narrative is a storytelling technique where the narrator conveys the story from the perspective of a single character, providing insight into that character’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences while maintaining a certain narrative distance. The narrator is not part of the story but closely follows the inner world of the chosen character. This technique allows readers to connect deeply with one character while keeping an objective view of the surrounding world and other characters. For example, in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, the narrative often focuses on Elizabeth Bennet’s thoughts and emotions, giving readers insight into her perspective while keeping the other characters' thoughts hidden, maintaining an air of mystery and tension.

The First Person Narrative

Definition: The story is narrated by a character within the novel, often the protagonist, using "I" or "we."
Example: The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger.
Effect: This technique allows readers to see the world directly from the narrator’s perspective, providing an intimate understanding of the character’s thoughts, emotions, and experiences. It creates a sense of immediacy and personal connection.

There is another type of novel where the story is told in the first person. The narrator very often refers to himself as ‘I’. This technique is called the first person narrative. By using this methods, the novelist may make his story more realistic and more credible. Of course, the novelist can enjoy little scope in this method to look very deeply in to the minds and motives of the other characters. In David Copperfield for example, Dickens can only show us the world through David 's eyes, while the other people in the novel can only be observed from the outside. Steer forth is heartless and wicked, Emily is good and innocent. But the readers have no means of discovering why they were as they were, or what made then behave as they did. However, a novelist, who tells his story through ‘I’ must accept certain restrictions, though he can often make the narrative stronger and lifelike.

Epistolary Novel

• Definition: The story is told through letters, diary entries, emails, or other forms of written communication between characters.
• Example: Dracula by Bram Stoker.
• Effect: This technique creates an authentic and personal feeling, as readers are privy to the intimate thoughts and communications between characters. It can build suspense and provide multiple perspectives.

Sometimes a novelist decides to tell his story through a series of letters, that is, the unfoldment of story in the novel is made through the exchange of letters among different characters concerned. This method has some extra advantages. Richardson makes use of this form to concentrate to the characters psychology and moral judgment. But in Pamela the reader may find it in hard to believe that the heroine, a simple domestic maidservant would be able to write so eloquently and such lengthy letters. Richardson perhaps realized the incredibility of this, and therefore he somewhat alters his stance in his next novel Clarissa Harlawe. The same device of letter method is also adopted in this second novel too. But the heroine is selected from a family with good education and culture. Understandably, the letters in Clarissa Harlawe seems less improbable than those in Pamela.

Dialogue in Novel

Definition: A significant portion of the novel is driven by dialogue between characters rather than by descriptive prose or internal monologue.
Example: The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway.
Effect: Dialogue-driven novels often have a fast pace and create a sense of immediacy. They can reveal character dynamics and move the plot forward through conversation rather than exposition.

There is still another method of writing novel which is technically called ‘Dialogue in Novel’. Introduction of conversation in a novel raises a bubble of controversy among those who think that dialogue is the monopoly of the dramatists alone. But this is not at all a tenable criticism. For, a reader of a novel may feel bore if the entire novel is told with simple narration or description, without getting it punched with frequent dialogue. But if a novel is stuffed with frequent conversation among the characters concerned, or, it become much more interesting for the readers. But the introduction of dialogue in a novel gives rise to one important problem for the novelist. His problem is that how can he be sure that his characters will speak in the sort of dialogues he selects. That is, a doctor must be made to talk like a doctor. A farmer must be made to talk like a farmer. A woman of fashion must be made to talk like a woman of fashion. So the novelist, like a dramatist, must have a ‘good ear’ to catch and imitate the speech habit and ‘tone of voice’ or ‘intonation’ of the characters in conversation. This is, no doubt, a difficult taste  but when executed appropriately, it becomes much amusing and interesting.

Stream of Conscious Novel

Definition: This technique attempts to capture the continuous flow of a character’s thoughts and feelings, often without logical or grammatical order.
Example: Ulysses by James Joyce.
Effect: Stream of consciousness offers a deep, often chaotic insight into a character’s internal monologue. It mirrors the way thoughts actually occur, creating an immersive, sometimes disorienting, reading experience.

Barring the age old method of story telling, there are some ‘interior monologue’ or ‘stream of consciousness technique’. Writers like James Joyce and Virginia Woolf use this technique with a wonderful success, following the principles of Freud. These novelists believe that some of the most important activities of human mind take place below the level of consciousness. They feel that the traditional method of telling story in the chronological order gives a picture of life which is atone inadequate, incomplete and superficial. In the year 1922 Joyce’s Ulysses is published creating a storm of controversy in the literary world. But on a close scrutiny it is found that the novelist has simply invited us to enter into the mind of his chief character Leopold Bloom to share his stream of consciousness to feel the incessant shower of innumerable atoms. Virginia Woolf and other modern novelists strongly uphold the efficiency of this technique to lay the human hearts bare, the major parts of which, to quote D. H. Lawrence, remains submerged like a chunk of ice in our subconscious and conscious world.

Multiple Narrators

Definition: Different characters narrate different sections or chapters of the novel, offering various perspectives on the same events or separate plotlines.
Example: As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner.
Effect: Using multiple narrators allows an author to explore different viewpoints and gives a more rounded view of the plot. It also creates depth, as characters interpret the same events in different ways.

Multiple Narrators is a narrative technique where different characters take turns telling parts of the story, offering various perspectives on the same events or presenting different subplots. This approach allows readers to see the story from multiple angles, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the plot, characters, and themes. Each narrator brings their own biases, knowledge, and emotions, creating a multi-layered narrative. For example, in William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying, each chapter is narrated by a different character, revealing their inner thoughts and motivations as the family undertakes a journey to bury their mother. The technique helps build complexity, as different characters interpret events in unique ways, adding depth to the overall story.

Non-Linear Narrative

Definition: The story is not told in chronological order; it might involve flashbacks, jumps in time, or parallel timelines.
Example: One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez.
Effect: This technique can add complexity to a story, requiring readers to piece together the timeline. It allows the writer to build suspense, reveal backstory gradually, and play with the reader’s expectations.

Non-Linear Narrative is a storytelling technique where events are not presented in chronological order. Instead, the story may jump back and forth in time, often using flashbacks, dreams, or fragmented memories to reveal key moments out of sequence. This approach can build suspense, create mystery, or allow for a more thematic exploration of events, making readers piece together the timeline as the story progresses. A famous example is Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude, where the narrative frequently shifts between generations, past, and present, emphasizing the cyclical nature of time and history in the novel. The non-linear structure enriches the novel's magical realism and themes of fate and repetition.

Unreliable Narrator

Definition: The narrator of the story is not trustworthy, either due to psychological instability, personal bias, or a deliberate attempt to mislead the reader.
Example: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (Nick Carraway’s reliability as a narrator is often questioned).
Effect: This technique creates suspense and leaves the reader questioning the truth of the narrative. It adds complexity to the story and invites multiple interpretations of the events being described.

Unreliable Narrator is a narrative technique where the storyteller's credibility is compromised, either because of their personal biases, psychological instability, limited knowledge, or deliberate deception. This creates a sense of ambiguity and forces readers to question the accuracy of the events being described, adding layers of complexity to the narrative. An example of this technique is in The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, where the protagonist, Holden Caulfield, often distorts reality due to his emotional instability and unreliable recollection of events. Readers must navigate Holden’s skewed perspective and interpret the truth behind his narration, making the storytelling both intriguing and unpredictable.

In Medias Res

Definition: The novel begins in the middle of the action, with earlier events being revealed later through flashbacks or dialogue.
Example: The Odyssey by Homer.
Effect: Starting in the middle of the action immediately engages the reader and builds tension. This technique allows the author to create a sense of mystery about how the characters arrived at the current point in the story.

In Medias Res is a narrative technique where a story begins in the middle of the action, rather than at the beginning of the plot. This approach immediately engages readers by plunging them into a critical moment of the narrative, often accompanied by background information revealed through flashbacks or dialogue as the story unfolds. This technique can create suspense and intrigue, prompting readers to piece together how the characters arrived at this point. A classic example of In Medias Res is Homer’s The Iliad, which opens during the Trojan War, focusing on a quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon. By starting in the midst of conflict, the narrative captivates the reader’s attention right away, with the earlier events of the war gradually revealed throughout the poem.

Symbolism and Allegory

Definition: Authors use characters, objects, or events to represent larger ideas, often conveying deeper meanings or moral lessons.
Example: Animal Farm by George Orwell (as an allegory of the Russian Revolution).
Effect: Symbolism and allegory give the novel a layered meaning, where readers can interpret events on both a literal and metaphorical level. This technique can add depth and resonance to the narrative.

Symbolism and Allegory are literary techniques used to convey deeper meanings through the use of symbols and narrative elements that represent larger concepts or ideas. Symbolism involves using specific objects, characters, or events to signify abstract ideas, while allegory presents a complete narrative that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden moral or political meaning. For example, in George Orwell’s Animal Farm, the farm and its animal inhabitants symbolize the rise of the Soviet Union and the corruption of socialist ideals. Each character, such as Napoleon the pig representing Joseph Stalin, and events mirror historical events and figures, allowing readers to understand complex social and political themes through a seemingly simple tale about farm animals. This dual-layer of meaning invites readers to explore the broader implications of the narrative while enjoying the story itself.

Interior Monologue

Definition: The narrator conveys the inner thoughts and emotions of a character, often in a direct, unfiltered way.
Example: Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf.
Effect: Interior monologues provide insight into a character’s inner life, often revealing their deeper emotional state, motivations, and conflicts. It allows the reader to form a close connection with the character.

Interior Monologue is a narrative technique that captures a character's inner thoughts and emotions in a direct and often unfiltered manner. This technique allows readers to experience the character's mental processes in real-time, providing deep insight into their motivations, conflicts, and emotional states. Interior monologues often reflect a character’s stream of consciousness, blurring the lines between thought and narration. A notable example can be found in Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway, where the protagonist, Clarissa Dalloway, reflects on her past, her relationships, and her existential concerns throughout a single day. Woolf's use of interior monologue immerses readers in Clarissa's psyche, creating an intimate connection with her character while exploring themes of time, memory, and identity.

Descriptive Prose and Imagery

Definition: The use of vivid, detailed descriptions of settings, characters, or events to create a rich, immersive experience for the reader.
Example: The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Effect: Descriptive prose enhances the reader’s ability to visualize the world of the novel. It can create atmosphere, set the tone, and evoke emotional responses, often playing a key role in world-building.

Descriptive Prose and Imagery are literary techniques that use vivid and detailed language to create a rich, immersive experience for readers. By appealing to the senses—sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell—descriptive prose helps paint a picture of the setting, characters, and events, enhancing the overall emotional impact of the narrative. This technique allows readers to visualize the world of the story and feel a deeper connection to its elements. For instance, in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the author employs lush descriptions of the lavish parties at Gatsby’s mansion, evoking the opulence and extravagance of the Jazz Age with phrases that capture the shimmering lights, the intoxicating music, and the scent of blooming flowers. Fitzgerald’s use of imagery not only establishes the novel’s setting but also reflects the themes of excess, desire, and the elusive nature of the American Dream.

Flashbacks

Definition: The narrative shifts back in time to reveal key events that occurred before the current timeline of the story.
Example: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
Effect: Flashbacks provide important backstory and context, helping to explain characters’ motivations or key events in the plot. They enrich the narrative by layering past and present together.

Flashback is a literary technique that interrupts the chronological sequence of events in a narrative to depict an earlier occurrence. This device is used to provide context, reveal character motivations, or create suspense. For example, in a novel about a detective investigating a murder, a flashback might show a conversation between the victim and the suspect weeks before the crime, hinting at a potential motive. Flashbacks can be short or long, and they can be used to reveal information gradually or all at once.

Magic Realism

Definition: A blend of the real and the magical or fantastical, where supernatural elements are presented as a natural part of the world.
Example: The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende.
Effect: Magic realism creates a dreamlike atmosphere where the boundaries between reality and fantasy are blurred. It allows authors to explore complex themes, such as identity, memory, and culture, in unconventional ways.

  Magic realism is a literary genre that blends elements of realism and fantasy. It often involves seemingly ordinary characters and settings in which fantastical or magical events occur without explanation or surprise. The magic elements are seamlessly integrated into the narrative, creating a sense of ambiguity and wonder. For example, in a magic realist novel, a woman might casually mention that her grandmother can fly, and the characters would accept this as a normal part of their world. Magic realism challenges the boundaries between reality and the supernatural, inviting readers to explore the complexities of human existence.

Conclusion

The techniques used in writing novels are diverse and can be combined in various ways to achieve different effects. Each technique offers unique possibilities for storytelling, character development, and thematic exploration. The choice of technique depends on the author's vision, the demands of the story, and the emotional or intellectual engagement they wish to evoke in readers. Through mastering these techniques, novelists can craft rich, compelling, and memorable narratives.  

                  

Ardhendu De

Reference: 1. Rees, R. J. (1973). English Literature:An Introduction for Foreign Readers. Macmillan.

                     2. Hişmanoğlu, M. (2005). Teaching English Through Literature. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 1(1), 53–66. https://doi.org/10.17263/jlls.38648