In a new post, Mary Carroll Moore tackles one of the most uncomfortable questions you might have about your novel: What’s the point? “Writers ask this question at all stages but often it’s unanswerable until revision,” she says. “That’s because we may not know yet. We may be writing blind, or according to an incomplete view of our book, which is completely normal and alright.”
Sometimes, you might not be able to see the point in a published book. Before you publish, fortunately, you still have time to figure it out. Moore suggests writing a purpose statement for each chapter. “What’s that chapter supposed to impart or ignite for the reader?” she asks. If you don’t have an answer or if you have too many, the chapter hasn’t revealed its point yet. You might pose this same question for scenes, pages, paragraphs, or even sentences, depending on your level of editing (and patience).
However, you need to ask at the right time. “If you ask too soon, you’ll probably only muddle yourself and sink your belief and confidence in the work-in-progress,” Moore says.
Ultimately, though, every element of your story must contribute. “A character walks into a room, and that character is automatically tracked by the reader, consciously or subconsciously,” Moore says. “The writer’s job is to discover and illuminate that character’s purpose.” Your readers will ask the same question about locations, major objects, and imagery.
