I recently read a book that was described as a novelization of a true story. Based on that description, I had several expectations for the story—a structured plot, some character development, incorporating the senses, etc. Instead, I got some history, some explanations, and several chapters of helpful information, but no story.
Overall, the book disappointed me. I wanted to get pulled into the characters heads; to experience their lives with them; to be transported into their homes and situations—everything I expect from a novel. But that book wasn’t a novel, and it never should have been labeled that way.
But, but … it had dialogue! It was written in third person!
Yes, it was, but that doesn’t make it a novel. A book needs to meet certain requirements before you can call it a novel; without those things, you have a creative or narrative retelling, but you do not have a novel.
What does a book need, then, to be considered a novel? Whether you’ve created everything or are telling someone else’s true story, a novel needs:
- Plot Structure (three acts work well)
- Setting
- Characterization (including GMCs and character arcs)
- Engaging writing that creates mental pictures
Take all of those, organize them well, and POOF! A novel. If you’re lacking any of these things, you’re probably not writing a novel. How can you tell?
- The dialogue doesn’t add to the story; it’s just there.
- You have whole chapters of information without showing the characters do anything.
- Your book is more about giving information than it is about entertaining the reader.
If the above bullet points describe your book, it doesn’t mean you have a bad book—it just means you’re not writing a novel. These subtleties make a big difference when you’re marketing your book. It’s important to understand the difference, because mislabeling your book (and thereby mis-advertising it) can set you up for failure.
Take the book I recently read: if it had been called a narrative or creative retelling, it would have been a pretty good book. I would have been better prepared for the history lessons and lack of structure. Because I wanted to read a novel, however, it disappointed me. As much as I wanted to leave a good review, I couldn’t because I didn’t have a good experience reading the book (I do still recommend the book, but I tell people it’s not a novel).
Don’t stop writing your book and don’t change your style. Just know what you’re writing so you can get it into the hands of the right audience.
Have you ever read a good book that disappointed you? What happened?
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