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On Writing
How Do You Write a Novel?
The short answer? Just kidding…there is no short answer
A Social Media acquaintance posed this question recently and received a multitude of answers — which, as a novelist, did not surprise me one bit.
“I’m serious about looking for advice,” she said. “Any little bits of wisdom on how in the world to start?”
Among the thirty-one responses she received, the answers were varied. A prolific author advised, “Just start writing,” perhaps the most common suggestion I’ve heard.
Another suggested entering fiction writing challenges and workshops. “The structure of the assignments might lead to a story you didn’t know you had in you.”
But these optimistic views mask one of the trickiest hurdles a novelist must surmount — developing strong characters who have a gripping story to tell. It’s a problem that every artist must tackle, not just masters of the written word. “I was sure I wanted to until I kept trying to get invested in a plot. Or even one character. And I just couldn’t,” one author said. “Even a scrap of passion or idea makes you want to learn more about your original idea for plot or character.”
There has to be something, some motivation, that keeps you sitting at the table getting the words…
