Anne, this post gives much needed perspective on the art of writing fiction. I've completed a "shitty first draft" of my first novel, and I'm heading into the new year with another novel begun and the intense work of revising, editing, and shaping the first one. I'm sure I will return to your list many times in this process. I especially appreciate the similarities you draw between remaking and living your life and writing a novel. I'm often lost in the bramble, but I'm learning to let go and let the characters speak and lead me in different directions than the one I planned. Wherever this journey takes me, it's one hell of an exhilarating ride! Thank you so much for this post.
I wholeheartedly agree: writing fiction is hard! I’ve always been a slow and rather plodding writer, most comfortable in the realm of essay, where I strive for a meticulous arrangement of words and thoughts that reflect my interiority and POV. But trying to create a story that moves through scene, dialogue, summary, character development, and reflection is another thing entirely. A friend told me I need to loosen the reins, let the horse bolt from the barn and gallop awhile (ie; get the damn first draft down!); and then afterwards wander the fields to examine individual flowers. It’s been hard, but lately I’ve been letting myself “gallop” more and have found it invigorating. Especially those rare moments when the story takes over and decides what it wants to do, where it wants to go. Relinquishing control, at least in the early generative phase, is a mode I need to get more comfortable with if I’m ever going to make any real progress. It’s tough.
Hi Cheryl—Me too! I need to let myself gallop without worrying about where I’m headed exactly. Not in terms of plot, since I basically have that nailed down. It’s hard for me sometimes to write a dead, wooden first draft. I need to learn that is just the first step, and as i go back, I can work on bringing it to life. I suppose I’m still working on the confidence to believe that it will get there eventually. I’m seeing that now in my opening chapters, but I’m still new enough at this that I don’t fully trust my ability to pull this thing off!
I devoured this post, Anne. I have always wanted to learn how to write fiction (and actually finish a piece!) For some reason, I thought the opportunity would present itself like a lightning bolt to the head and the words would flow out of me like magic 🤭
Now that I am trying in earnest, it is crazy challenging. And also, a lot of fun, as you say. I have so much to learn and I do want to learn. Are there any resources you would recommend for a good foundation in writing fiction?
I'm so glad my post was helpful! Making a Scene by Jordan Rosenfeld could be useful. I haven't read all of it, but Jeanette Ouillette uses it in the writing classes she teaches, and I've found it helpful. And The Emotional Craft of Fiction by Donald Masse (I think).
Thanks for taking the time to share this with us Anne. Writing fiction is indeed quite difficult, as I have discovered.
It's also fun and I think some of us thrive on a challenge. Your list reveals the complexity of a good story. Seems like many of the people I know LOVE complexity. We love reading or watching a story and trying to puzzle out what is happening. But to actually make sometime complex like that? Not easy.
I focus on how much I am learning and growing both as a writer and human. That helps me to withstand some of the difficulties I come across with novel writing.
My list was a bit overloaded, I think. But it was really interesting to write it all out and put down all that I’m learning. Just my way of trying to create some order out of the chaos I guess. Now back to the chaos!
'Now, tell me, do you feel exhausted just looking at that list?' YES!! But, it's a super helpful list to bring all these thoughts/considerations together in one place. I feel like I want to print it off and stick it somewhere near my writing spot... Thank you for sharing this BTS of your writing course.
I’m not a fiction writer, but I really appreciated your insights and hints. Many of them feel applicable to writing for an audience in general or at least offer helpful guidance when doing so. I’m always eager to learn, and this gave me plenty to think about—thank you!
TY, this was a very insightful post. You could easily turn it into a paid webinar for those who want to write fiction. Just sayin’.
After a career in business communications, I shifted to writing fiction. I can tell you the former was way easier than the latter. Writing a novel is like juggling spinning plates with your arms, legs, feet and toes. There are endless things to keep in mind as you write, not to mention the fear of failure that nags many of us (I wrote about this in a guest post on The Slow Sip).
Then, when it's published - you learn that readers like different things. Some will love your deep character development; others will say there wasn't enough!
After writing two novels, I've learned that it's important to write authentically from the heart, rather than trying to write what's trendy.
Good luck to all who are writing or planning to write fiction. There's always room for new voices!
"The things that have preoccupied me since I decided to remake my life are the same things that I need to make my fiction work."
This is the epiphany I had while earning my Ph.D. in creative writing, but the other way around. The secrets of fiction, story and structure are the tools people can use to make their life work. Story and life are so intertwined.
Thank you, Anne, for this very comprehensive post. I have also gone back to school as a "non-traditional age" student, a graduate program in literature and creative writing. After a lifetime of reading other people's work, I am ready to get serious about my own. I have been writing a lot of micro-fiction this semester, which has been a great discipline to make every single word and creative decision move the story forward while using much of the list you have outlined. Step by step, breadcrumb by breadcrumb, we skip down this excitingly terrifying path.
Yes, well put, Heather! Great to hear from another later-in-life learner. It’s so exhilarating to be absorbing all of this newness rather than continuing to do the same old thing.
Thank you for this post, Anne. Fiction IS hard. I write non-fiction but have always had a desire to write a novel at some point. I've tried a few times but never got past the first few chapters. The process was completely overwhelming. This post felt like a primer for that journey. Good luck with being a student again. I admire you for taking this on. I hope you will write more about it.
I found this post to be very validating, Anne. Thank you. I write both fiction and nonfiction, and lately, I've been ghostwriting fiction, both novels and screenplays. The work is arduous--combining needing to keep all those fiction writing plates spinning AND keeping a client happy. I'm currently juggling this work with caring for a very ill husband, and I often feel like those around me have no idea how draining my work is. I sometimes berate myself for getting stressed when I shouldn't. But reading your list reminded me that I often have very good reason to be stressed and I should cut myself some slack. Like, Lise, below, says, the more you write, the more this list becomes internalized. I don't usually think about all these components ... somehow they just get channeled into place by the part of me that is connected to all that is (I have long felt that my best writing is more given to me than created by me). But your post pulled the curtain back on the process, helping me to savor the magic of it. :)
I’m so glad, Ande! There certainly are a lot of plates to keep spinning. I look forward to the day when they become internalized. My heart goes out to you during this stressful time, though. Wishing you some rest and peace!
Thank you 😊 that's all. I appreciate you sharing yourself with us!
Anne, this post gives much needed perspective on the art of writing fiction. I've completed a "shitty first draft" of my first novel, and I'm heading into the new year with another novel begun and the intense work of revising, editing, and shaping the first one. I'm sure I will return to your list many times in this process. I especially appreciate the similarities you draw between remaking and living your life and writing a novel. I'm often lost in the bramble, but I'm learning to let go and let the characters speak and lead me in different directions than the one I planned. Wherever this journey takes me, it's one hell of an exhilarating ride! Thank you so much for this post.
You’re very welcome, Angela. I hope you enjoy the ride!!
I wholeheartedly agree: writing fiction is hard! I’ve always been a slow and rather plodding writer, most comfortable in the realm of essay, where I strive for a meticulous arrangement of words and thoughts that reflect my interiority and POV. But trying to create a story that moves through scene, dialogue, summary, character development, and reflection is another thing entirely. A friend told me I need to loosen the reins, let the horse bolt from the barn and gallop awhile (ie; get the damn first draft down!); and then afterwards wander the fields to examine individual flowers. It’s been hard, but lately I’ve been letting myself “gallop” more and have found it invigorating. Especially those rare moments when the story takes over and decides what it wants to do, where it wants to go. Relinquishing control, at least in the early generative phase, is a mode I need to get more comfortable with if I’m ever going to make any real progress. It’s tough.
Hi Cheryl—Me too! I need to let myself gallop without worrying about where I’m headed exactly. Not in terms of plot, since I basically have that nailed down. It’s hard for me sometimes to write a dead, wooden first draft. I need to learn that is just the first step, and as i go back, I can work on bringing it to life. I suppose I’m still working on the confidence to believe that it will get there eventually. I’m seeing that now in my opening chapters, but I’m still new enough at this that I don’t fully trust my ability to pull this thing off!
I devoured this post, Anne. I have always wanted to learn how to write fiction (and actually finish a piece!) For some reason, I thought the opportunity would present itself like a lightning bolt to the head and the words would flow out of me like magic 🤭
Now that I am trying in earnest, it is crazy challenging. And also, a lot of fun, as you say. I have so much to learn and I do want to learn. Are there any resources you would recommend for a good foundation in writing fiction?
I'm so glad my post was helpful! Making a Scene by Jordan Rosenfeld could be useful. I haven't read all of it, but Jeanette Ouillette uses it in the writing classes she teaches, and I've found it helpful. And The Emotional Craft of Fiction by Donald Masse (I think).
Thanks for the recommendations! I will look into those books. Happy holidays!
What an excellent post! Thank you for sharing all of this with us. Your novel will be fabulous. I can't wait! 🩷
Thank you, Deborah!!
Thanks for taking the time to share this with us Anne. Writing fiction is indeed quite difficult, as I have discovered.
It's also fun and I think some of us thrive on a challenge. Your list reveals the complexity of a good story. Seems like many of the people I know LOVE complexity. We love reading or watching a story and trying to puzzle out what is happening. But to actually make sometime complex like that? Not easy.
I focus on how much I am learning and growing both as a writer and human. That helps me to withstand some of the difficulties I come across with novel writing.
I CAN'T WAIT TO READ YOUR NOVEL!
Just sayin'.
My list was a bit overloaded, I think. But it was really interesting to write it all out and put down all that I’m learning. Just my way of trying to create some order out of the chaos I guess. Now back to the chaos!
'Now, tell me, do you feel exhausted just looking at that list?' YES!! But, it's a super helpful list to bring all these thoughts/considerations together in one place. I feel like I want to print it off and stick it somewhere near my writing spot... Thank you for sharing this BTS of your writing course.
I’m so glad this was helpful!
I’m not a fiction writer, but I really appreciated your insights and hints. Many of them feel applicable to writing for an audience in general or at least offer helpful guidance when doing so. I’m always eager to learn, and this gave me plenty to think about—thank you!
TY, this was a very insightful post. You could easily turn it into a paid webinar for those who want to write fiction. Just sayin’.
After a career in business communications, I shifted to writing fiction. I can tell you the former was way easier than the latter. Writing a novel is like juggling spinning plates with your arms, legs, feet and toes. There are endless things to keep in mind as you write, not to mention the fear of failure that nags many of us (I wrote about this in a guest post on The Slow Sip).
Then, when it's published - you learn that readers like different things. Some will love your deep character development; others will say there wasn't enough!
After writing two novels, I've learned that it's important to write authentically from the heart, rather than trying to write what's trendy.
Good luck to all who are writing or planning to write fiction. There's always room for new voices!
I love your spinning plates analogy. So true!
This post really captures the technical complexity and sheer joy of writing.
I agree, Cynthia!
That’s quite a bramble! But how exciting to hear that the novel is benefitting from this daring leap back to school.
Thank you, Tara. I’ll find my way through the bramble eventually. :)
I hope it’s the kind of bramble that’s loaded with juicy berries. It sounds like it is. :-)
I would say so, yes!
I loved reading this, Anne. Especially this...
"The things that have preoccupied me since I decided to remake my life are the same things that I need to make my fiction work."
This is the epiphany I had while earning my Ph.D. in creative writing, but the other way around. The secrets of fiction, story and structure are the tools people can use to make their life work. Story and life are so intertwined.
Yes, indeed! Jeanette Ouillette had a post yesterday about this as well. Her Substack is Writing in the Dark. She goes way more in-depth.
I read it yesterday! Added back-story to her list. 😊
What a great post. I love the list of 21 things you need to consider on every page...
Thank you, Stacy. I hope you have survived your fall semester!
Thank you, Anne, for this very comprehensive post. I have also gone back to school as a "non-traditional age" student, a graduate program in literature and creative writing. After a lifetime of reading other people's work, I am ready to get serious about my own. I have been writing a lot of micro-fiction this semester, which has been a great discipline to make every single word and creative decision move the story forward while using much of the list you have outlined. Step by step, breadcrumb by breadcrumb, we skip down this excitingly terrifying path.
Yes, well put, Heather! Great to hear from another later-in-life learner. It’s so exhilarating to be absorbing all of this newness rather than continuing to do the same old thing.
Thank you for this post, Anne. Fiction IS hard. I write non-fiction but have always had a desire to write a novel at some point. I've tried a few times but never got past the first few chapters. The process was completely overwhelming. This post felt like a primer for that journey. Good luck with being a student again. I admire you for taking this on. I hope you will write more about it.
Thank you, Cathy! Yes, I will. More reflecting to come. :)
I found this post to be very validating, Anne. Thank you. I write both fiction and nonfiction, and lately, I've been ghostwriting fiction, both novels and screenplays. The work is arduous--combining needing to keep all those fiction writing plates spinning AND keeping a client happy. I'm currently juggling this work with caring for a very ill husband, and I often feel like those around me have no idea how draining my work is. I sometimes berate myself for getting stressed when I shouldn't. But reading your list reminded me that I often have very good reason to be stressed and I should cut myself some slack. Like, Lise, below, says, the more you write, the more this list becomes internalized. I don't usually think about all these components ... somehow they just get channeled into place by the part of me that is connected to all that is (I have long felt that my best writing is more given to me than created by me). But your post pulled the curtain back on the process, helping me to savor the magic of it. :)
I’m so glad, Ande! There certainly are a lot of plates to keep spinning. I look forward to the day when they become internalized. My heart goes out to you during this stressful time, though. Wishing you some rest and peace!