The Basics of Writing a Novel
“A professional writer is an amateur who didn't quit.” Richard Bach
Today's suggested reading is a short post on Margaret Atwood's new Substack.
So far many of her posts have been about Canadian politics, but this one about writing a novel resonated with me.
Some Very Basic Basics About Writing Novels
I love this cartoon -
It's all worth reading - of course! It's Margaret Atwood! - but I've picked out two elements which I am currently pondering.
First -
WHAT IS A WORK OF ART AS IT RELATES TO A NOVEL?
All works of art involve patterns, made of repetitions with variations. Novels are works of art made out of words. With repetitions and variations.
And this one -
SHOULD A NOVEL INSTRUCT OR ENTERTAIN?
(People have been asking that since classical Greece.)
Both, if possible, I think.
Too much instruction and it’s a sermon. Only entertainment and it’s a beach read.If too much instruction, it may belong in a non-fiction book. But when push comes to shove, folks choose entertainment, yes? Not saying it’s good, but….
As a reader and a writer, I'm all for entertainment - but if I'm spending a year or two on something I want it to have some real importance for me, too. So I am firmly in favour of her answer - it should be both!
As a writer, I don't lecture, but my characters often take a particular moral stance. It's not always one I agree with though! And I do worry that sometimes my characters might be more convincing than the nuanced, actually sitting right on that uncomfortable fence, novelist.
What do you think?
Ann
If you would like some editorial help with your novel draft. please do get in touch and we can have a chat. Check out my Facebook Page, at The Accomplice and message me there for more details, or get in touch through my substack email.
I agree that it should both instruct and entertain. I think I need to add a bit more entertainment in mine!