Chapter Five
More Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get started writing a novel?
The most important thing is to just get started – to sit down and write. You can start by writing about a character. You can start with a plot idea. You can start by writing scenes and seeing where they take you. The one thing you can not begin with is an ideology – a religious, philosophical, or political message you want to get across. Novels are not sermons.
What constitutes good writing?
Good writing is a matter of taste, but there are certain pitfalls you want to avoid, such as excess of any kind: too many syllables, too many words, and especially too many adjectives and adverbs. A strong verb can do the work of many modifiers. The only way to learn to write well is to write and write, and that is hard work. Whenever you picture yourself accepting the Pulitzer Prize, you are not concentrating enough on your copy.
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How do I find my voice?
Finding your voice, the writing style through which you speak, is a process that can take years. It is purely a matter of trial and error, until you stumble upon what works for you and best communicates with your readers.
This is where it is critical to have someone to read what you write and give you feedback. We do this but so do friends and colleagues and even spouses, in very stable marriages.
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