Stop Writing Your Novel Like a Movie: A Guide for Sci-Fi and Fantasy Authors

Gina Kammer Author

Jun 15, 2024 |

Novels and movies are fundamentally different. I want to help you understand why embracing the strengths of novel writing can elevate your story.

Stop Writing Your Novel Like a Movie: 

A Guide for Sci-Fi and Fantasy Authors

As a professional book coach and editor, I often hear authors say they envision their stories “like a movie" in their heads. It’s a common approach, especially given the cinematic quality of modern storytelling. 

While using movie structures can sometimes provide useful models, it's important to remember that novels and movies are fundamentally different mediums. I find that science fiction and fantasy authors especially tend to want to write their novels like movies even when that’s not the best choice for the format. So that’s why I want to help you understand why embracing the unique strengths of novel writing can elevate your story.

The Problem with Writing Your Novel Like a Movie

Many writers, influenced by the popular Save the Cat script-writing structure, attempt to apply movie formats directly to their novels. Even though “Save the Cat! Writes a Novel" exists, it still stems from the script-writing format. While these structures can be helpful—especially if the alternative is no structure—failing to fully adapt your story to the novel format can do a disservice to your narrative. 

For instance, novels that open with a “zoomed-out" camera, panning over vast landscapes or political situations, often fail to engage readers immediately. In a movie, this approach works because viewers experience it passively. It’s easier to let the story develop without as much effort on the part of the viewers, no matter how immediately invested they are. However, reading is a more deliberate and immersive activity. If readers aren't hooked from the first line, they’re unlikely to continue through descriptive passages without immediate emotional investment.

Understanding the Key Differences

Personally, when I'm watching a movie, I usually appreciate the way such a sweeping opening experience lets me get acclimated to the tone. The visuals and music gets me in the right mode of thinking and prepares me to start paying more attention even if I haven't started to quite yet. Maybe I'm still settling into a comfy couch or finding a snack. Then by the time the movie zeros in on the protagonists, I haven't missed anything. 

However, when I'm reading, it's a more deliberate decision. I can't be only half-invested at the start before I start really paying attention to what's going on. Because if I'm not invested immediately, what's going to stop me from getting that snack and giving in to a million other little distractions pulling me away from the page in my hand?

Make Readers Care

As the insights of brain science show, readers care about a story because they care about themselves. Because readers put themselves into the lens of the point-of-view character, they care about the character too. But only if they know how the character cares—how the character thinks about and feels about the situations she's in.

So unless the wind is your character sweeping over the vast fantasy landscapes in your epic novel with its own motivations and cares, readers aren't unlikely to care about the descriptive physical features and colorful sunrise. They won't know why it all matters yet, and so it will be hard to care.

If readers aren't hooked from line one, they may never have the patience to make it through those first paragraphs or pages to find out what it is they're supposed to care about vicariously. Instead, start already zoomed in on your protagonist. Provide that character's internal tension and motivation from your first lines while deeply embedded in your point-of-view character's perspective.

Passive Viewing vs. Active Reading

In other words, when watching a movie, viewers can afford to be somewhat passive initially. They absorb the visual and auditory elements that guide them into the story. In contrast, reading requires active engagement from the start. Your readers must be invested in your protagonist's perspective immediately. Without this, they might get distracted and never return to your story.

Character Interiority: The Strength of Novels

One of the greatest strengths of a novel is its ability to delve deeply into character interiority. Unlike movies, where audiences interpret emotions through actors' expressions and body language, novels allow readers to experience characters' thoughts and feelings directly. This deep emotional connection is what keeps readers turning pages.

Tips for Writing Novels, Not Movies

1. Start with Your Protagonist
   
   Instead of beginning your novel with a sweeping landscape, start zoomed in on your protagonist to give readers a reason to care. Provide immediate insight into your protagonist’s internal tension and motivations. This not only hooks readers but also sets the stage for a deep, emotional journey.
   
   
2. Balance External and Internal Elements
   
   While action and visual descriptions are important, they should be balanced with the protagonist's internal experiences. Avoid a play-by-play of events; instead, intertwine external actions with internal thoughts and emotions. This creates a richer, more immersive experience for readers.
   
   
3. Use Dialogue Sparingly and Purposefully
   
   Novels influenced by a movie mindset often become dialogue-heavy, resembling scripts more than prose. In novels, dialogue should serve multiple purposes: advancing the plot, building tension, and revealing character subtext. Break up dialogue with actions and descriptions to maintain a balanced narrative.
   
   
4. Leverage Prose to Enhance Emotion
   
   Movies rely on music scores and visual cues to convey emotion. Don't underestimate the power of music! I'm sure you've likely seen those humorous clips where a film scene is stripped of the background music and becomes comical instead of serious or otherwise just plain strange and jarring. But music is simply a tool of the format. In a novel, you have the power of prose. Use it to explore the nuances of your characters' internal worlds, creating a depth of emotion that resonates with readers on a level much deeper than what can be seen and heard alone.

The Immersive Power of Deep POV

Another crucial difference between novels and movies is the use of deep point of view (POV). Deep POV allows readers to experience the story through the eyes, thoughts, and emotions of the protagonist. This technique goes beyond simple third-person or first-person narration by removing the narrative distance and placing the reader directly into the character's mind. By utilizing deep POV, you can make your readers feel as if they are living the story themselves—one of the keys to making readers care about your story.

How to Implement Deep POV

• Eliminate Filter Words: Words such as thought, felt, or heard create a barrier between the reader and the character. Instead of saying, "She felt scared," show the physical manifestations of fear: "Her heart raced, and her palms slicked with sweat."
  
  

• Show, Don't Tell: Rather than telling readers what a character is feeling or thinking, show it through actions, dialogue, and internal monologue. This approach makes the experience more visceral and engaging.
  
  

• Use Sensory Details: Incorporate all five senses to create a vivid, immersive experience. Describe not just what the character sees, but also what they hear, smell, taste, and touch. Curate these details by including only those your protagonist would notice or care about.

Balancing Pacing with Internal Reflection

While movies naturally focus on more action and visuals, novels are at liberty to explore internal reflections. This doesn't mean your novel should be slow-paced, but rather that you should balance action with introspection. In fact, I would argue that you must in order to make sure readers know how your characters care (and therefore have a reason to care themselves). Moments of internal reflection can provide depth and meaning to your story, helping readers connect with your characters on a deeper level.

The Role of Subtext in Novels

Subtext is an essential element in both movies and novels, but it plays out differently in each medium. In movies, subtext often comes through visual cues and dialogue. In novels, you have the added advantage of internal thoughts to reveal subtext. Use this to your advantage by letting readers in on your character's true thoughts and feelings, even when they contradict what is being said or done on the surface.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

As you transition from a movie mindset to a novel mindset, be mindful of common pitfalls:

• Unrelated Flashbacks: While flashbacks are often a very necessary and powerful tool (that’s right: don’t fear the flashback!), they can disrupt the forward flow of your narrative momentum if they’re not used well. Flashbacks need a fairly immediate, clear connection to the story-present narrative. When they’re used, they should feel like juicy reveals to the mystery your readers were dying to solve.
  
  

• Excessive Description: While description is important, too much can bog down the narrative. Focus on details that matter to your characters and advance the plot. Balance your story elements.
  
  

• Infodumping: Likewise, you’ll want to scaffold your worldbuilding so that readers can easily add layers of understanding while enjoying the story instead of having to sit through your history class first.
  
  

• One-Dimensional Characters: Ensure your characters are well-developed with clear motivations and growth arcs. Avoid stereotypes and clichés. This means digging down to the core whys of your character instead of only developing surface-level flaws (symptoms of a deeper why).
  
  

• Disconnected External and Internal Arcs: Your plot and character arcs should further and complement one another. If they don’t, your story won’t feel as tightly plotted or resonant for readers. Let the plot push the character growth and let the character growth effect change in the plot.

Write a Novel That Resonates

Your dream of seeing your novel adapted into a movie is valid and exciting. However, to get there, focus first on writing a compelling, emotionally engaging novel. Embrace the format for what it is. A story that resonates deeply with readers is more likely to catch the attention of agents, publishers, and eventually filmmakers.

By embracing the unique strengths of the novel format, you can craft a story that not only entertains but also leaves a lasting impact on your readers. So, let’s write novels that stand out in their own right—novels that captivate and move readers long after they've turned the final page.

Ready to take your sci-fi or fantasy novel to the next level? As a professional book coach and editor, I specialize in helping authors like you harness the power of the novel format (even if you’ve always been a screenwriter!). Let’s work together to make your story the best it can be. Request a free introductory call today, and let's turn your vision into a novel that readers care about deeply.

Categories: : book coaching, editing, manuscript stages, novel drafting, novel planning, writer mindset