I came across this question – How do you learn to write a novel? – on Quora, and I thought it was an intriguing one!
Of course, it's a massive question, with a potentially book-length (and then some) answer ... but here's how I think most writers go about
it.
Step #1: Read a Lot of Novels
I've never met a novelists who wasn't a keen reader. Most loved reading when they were teenagers, and many are self-confessed "book geeks".
While simply reading a lot of novels isn't the only thing you need to do in order to be able to write one of your own, it certainly helps! By immersing yourself in words, you learn a huge amount: how to spring a
surprise that makes the reader go "Of course!", how to pace a story, how to put together words so that they have a pleasing rhythm ... and so much more.
Some authors have a very instinctive grasp of things like story structure, simply by having read a lot.
#2: Have a Go at Writing Your Own Short Story or Novel
You don't have to begin with short stories, though many people do. If anything, I think short
stories are harder to do well than novels ... but they're much more self-contained, and you can start and finish one in a day, if you want to.
Some writers seem to be natural novelists: they have novel-length ideas, and when they attempt short stories, those stories end up being scenes from something much longer. If that's you, go with it!
#3: Read Some Good Books About Writing
I think it's worth having a
serious go at a few short stories, or even get part-way through a full novel, before delving too far into advice about writing: otherwise, it's easy to get stuck "learning" without ever putting anything into practice. At some stage, though, it's definitely a good idea to study the craft of writing.
You could try:
- Write a Novel – And Get It Published, by Nigel Watts (the very first book I ever bought about writing, just after my
14th birthday)
- Structuring Your Novel: Essential Keys for Writing an Outstanding Story, by K.M. Weiland (clear, straightforward, and packed with examples)
- How to Write Fiction (And Think About It), by Dr. Robert Graham (a more academic take on fiction, aimed at creative writing students; lots of great material in here)
– or ask writer friends to suggest their favourites.
Step #4: Get Feedback
from Other Writers
This is, hands down, the fastest way I know to improve as a writer. Get feedback on your novel-in-progress. That might mean taking a scene or chapter to a local workshopping group, it might mean booking on a course and getting tutor feedback, or it might even involve paying a freelance editor for their recommendations.
It can be incredibly scary to invite feedback on your work, especially when it's still in an
early draft stage ... but it really will help you write a better novel.
Ultimately, any blog post, book or course on writing can only take you so far. You learn to write a novel just like you learn so many things in life ... by getting stuck in, having a go, course-correcting when you go wrong, getting advice from other people, and simply doing it! Very best of luck with your novel (or with whatever else you're writing) ... and if you have a question that
you'd like to see me tackle in the newsletter, just reply to this email.
