The classics are those books which come to us bearing the aura of previous interpretations, and trailing behind them the traces they have left in the culture or cultures or just in the languages and customs through which they have passed. A classic is a work which constantly generates a pulviscular cloud of critical discourse around it, but which always shakes the particles off.
Classics are books which, the more we think we know them through hearsay, the more original, unexpected, and innovative we find them when we actually read them.
A classic is the term given to any book which comes to represent the whole universe, a book on a par with ancient talismans. A classic is a work that comes before other classics; but those who have read other classics first immediately recognize its place in the genealogy of classic works.
A classic is a work which relegates the noise of the present to a background hum, which at the same time the classics cannot exist without.
A classic is a work which persists as a background noise even when a present that is totally incompatible with it holds sway. In a way, this is like a statistical sampling of the definitive factors associated with the aforementioned time and posterity. We can shorten the length of one person's life and see if they are willing to read a book more than once. Does this book last through an individual's life?
Any book that retains import through the many seasons of one person's lifetime can be considered for classic status. For to do so, it will need relevance and meaning that can outlast any fashion of the Time and, thus, remain in one's mind. Superficial and shallow trends that we tend to chase for short periods will not merit consideration. Many best sellers and page turners usually don't meet this requirement. They are enjoyable, but to want to reread them—and to want to do so over a lifetime—is another matter.
What could possibly be insightful for them? For now, we can look into the current crop of books and see which ones come closest to these criteria. The novel charts her tenacity as she grows from a young, mistreated girl into a quietly confident young woman. While your novel might not be a coming-of-age story, make sure that you show how your characters develop and are changed by new experiences.
Structure each chapter around pivotal events that make your story fluid rather than static. The best classic books take us on unforgettable journeys and adventures, whether literal or figurative. What separates classic novels from fiction that is published and forgotten? For one, as The Guardian points out people from diverse backgrounds can read and enjoy it.
Why is this? Because classic books deal with larger, significant themes. For example, the fact that total power corrupts or, rather, attracts those who are corruptible.
Another element common to many classic novels is that they show signs of their literary and historical origins. This is most obvious in books that are based on or inspired by others. It takes a more modern perspective on certain issues.
Whether or not your own novel explicitly references other works of fiction, draw on the traditions of your genre. Weave your inspirations into your book and make connections between topics and fictional predecessors where suitable.
Your book will be more layered and will give readers more to unearth and discuss. One of the core features of classic novels is that they leave blank spaces and ambiguities. Instead of explicitly condemning his character, however, Nabokov simply shows his actions and lets the reader form her or his own moral or ethical judgement. This is key to how to write a classic: Trust that the reader can decide how the ambiguities of your story fit together.
What are the key ingredients of a classic book in your mind? What makes you return to read a book over and over? Bridget McNulty is a published author, content strategist, writer, editor and speaker. She is the co-founder of two non-profits: Sweet Life Diabetes Community, South Africa's largest online diabetes community, and the Diabetes Alliance, a coalition of all the organisations working in diabetes in South Africa.
She is also the co-founder of Now Novel: an online novel-writing course where she coaches aspiring writers to start - and finish! Bridget believes in the power of storytelling to create meaningful change. Dracula by Bram Stoker. Great points. I especially liked number 4 about structuring a chapter around pivotal events.
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