tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36835112.post2522645133585517577..comments2023-04-09T03:34:12.677-04:00Comments on William's Ramblings: Writing a Novel: Step 1William Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779582298787431216noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36835112.post-31661809066497154302010-05-06T03:24:22.992-04:002010-05-06T03:24:22.992-04:00Great article, William. I find that going past the...Great article, William. I find that going past the 'what I know' and writing 'what I feel' about God, family, life, and work, all the joys and sorrows, I feel much more connected to the work, even though I'm creating mostly different back stories and present dilemmas for my characters.Lee Thompson/Thomas Morgan/James Logan/Julian Vaughnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08961562523377985551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36835112.post-71875129026705623722010-04-21T11:26:03.530-04:002010-04-21T11:26:03.530-04:00Charles - That is common. Writers often mimic the ...Charles - That is common. Writers often mimic the latest novel they have read. And, as you pointed out, it tends to vanish the more one writes.<br /><br />Christine - Thanks for your insight, and the valuable quote. I agree with you. If you enjoy what you write and research, it transforms the effort from labor into love.<br /><br />Tony - You're on the mark! Yes, there are rules of grammar and format (related to manuscript layout), but beyond that there are no rules. In fact, if there were a "correct" method of writing, everyone would be writing brilliant works, and we'd have no variation - which often leads to brilliant works. And of course, writers can even break the rules of grammar, so long as they know what they are breaking. :)<br /><br />Akasha - You hit upon something that is often overlooked. Many writers enjoy one genre, but find out they have a natural voice for another genre. Usually, they end up enjoying the other genre as well. :) In fact, there are very few writers who jump from one genre to another. It takes quite a bit of investment of time and love. That is to say, overall, authors write about the same thing over and over. There is good news and bad news in that. While characters can vary, the story is often the same. This might get boring as an occupation. But it also allows one to improve upon the craft. Wow, didn't I get far off topic. More ot the point, your post raises an issue many writers struggle with. While a person might love Fantasy, his or her voice might be better suited for Mystery.<br /><br />Rick - Thanks! :)William Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09779582298787431216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36835112.post-21103222032755968952010-04-17T15:10:03.885-04:002010-04-17T15:10:03.885-04:00What an absolutely helpful post, William. Especia...What an absolutely helpful post, William. Especially the part about putting some distance between reading and writing.Rickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14546882686381428986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36835112.post-21794172415306323622010-04-16T18:38:59.867-04:002010-04-16T18:38:59.867-04:00Good post. I would add - write the sort of stuff y...Good post. I would add - write the sort of stuff you enjoy reading. I have always loved reading dark fantasy/ horror, but when I started writing I first tried romance/chick lit, which I never read, and found I couldn't write it. The same went for historical romance and crime fiction. For me its horror and fantasy all the way.Akasha Savage.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13482147165827577180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36835112.post-47052194835547787022010-04-14T15:39:14.240-04:002010-04-14T15:39:14.240-04:00Good article William. I sincerely believe that the...Good article William. I sincerely believe that the truest statement that can be given to anyone who wants to write is that there is no wrong or right way, there are no rules except rules of grammar and spelling. It's what suits your own style or situation that really matters.TonyKenealyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08799760972929493434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36835112.post-55279605525723309092010-04-12T19:21:01.281-04:002010-04-12T19:21:01.281-04:00"Write about what you know."
I think you..."Write about what you know."<br />I think you're on to something, when you say not everyone interprets this statement the same way.<br /><br />I like what John Gardner has to say about the misinterpretation of this piece of advice: <br /><br />"Nothing can be more limiting to the imagination, nothing is quicker to turn on the psyche's censoring devices and distortion systems, than trying to write truthfully and interestingly about one's own home town, one's Episcopalian mother, one's crippled younger sister."<br /><br />He goes on to say that a better piece of advice is to write the kind of story you know and like best, which in my mind mirrors your first two pieces of advice.<br /><br />Write the genre you like, research things that are interesting to you. At the very least, you'll enjoy yourself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36835112.post-22210758232749793592010-04-12T15:28:27.992-04:002010-04-12T15:28:27.992-04:00I find for me that I like to read a few books in t...I find for me that I like to read a few books in the genre I'm writing in while writing the novel. It helps keep me aware of the conventions. And although I started out writing sounding like whoever I was reading, that's no longer the case. My own style is just comfortable to me and I don't find myself modifying it without intent.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.com