Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Casually Thinking About Writing a Novel?

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Writing a novel is a long-term commitment, and an author has to really enjoy the novel he or she is working on. Why? Because they'll be thinking about it a lot, re-reading it a dozen times, and revising it probably at least a dozen times (and a few more while working with an editor, if the novel finds a publisher).

The process of writing a novel will consume vast expanses of time, inevitably crowding out other enjoyable activities. If writing the novel isn't made a priority, it will never get finished. Writing doesn't necessarily have to be the top priority, but it can't hover near the bottom.

I think most people feel they have at least one novel in them. Maybe they do, but very few ever get it out of them--and even fewer, successfully. Why? Because while there is enjoyment in writing, it is also work, hard work. It requires practice and study and close attention to detail--in addition to the wordprocessing. 

And there is the knowledge while writing the novel that, at the end of the day, there is no guarantee of success--that it'll find a publisher. The competition is stiff, and that's an understatement. And even if the novel does find a solid publisher (or the author decides instead to self-publish), that it'll find readers that enjoy the story labored over for so long isn't a sure thing--far from it.

That's just the way it is.
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6 comments:

  1. So true! Writing is a solitary work experience. Nobody else can create the concept trapped in the our minds. And, after the socially-alone period of creativity ends, the author enters a phase of marketing and promotion. Shaking hands at book signings, responding to fans, negotiating with vendors--it gets very uncomfortable for those of us who would rather stay cloistered in our favorite writing place with a laptop. And about the time you get accustomed to that outer world, it's time for another six month sequester in the welcome isolation of the sequel. It can be a gut wrenching transition...but we can't help it. It is our obsession, our reason d'etre.

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    1. Yes, Dean, definately chanes of pace and skill sets are required.

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  2. Yep.lots of hard, hard work with no guarantees, but I still find it worthwhile. I'm glad you do too.

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    1. Glad you've found it worth the time and effort too, Angie!

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  3. It's not for the faint of heart if publication is the end goal. But the writing itself can be a most satisfying experience.

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    1. Yes. If you're in it only for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, things may not turn out that spectacular. (understatement)

      Enjoying writing is important, that's for sure.

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