Explorations In Reading, Writing, and Publishing
The “powers that be” in the worlds of the novel–those folks who set themselves up as “experts”–might tell you there are two ways to write a novel, or definitely only four, or as many ways as there are novelists.
When the “experts” disagree, it’s time to make your own decision…
Wikipedia’s opinion of what a novel is: “…a book of long narrative in literary prose….Further definition of the genre is historically difficult.”
Of course, the word “novel” comes from roots that mean “new”.
And, if you plunk the words how+to+write+a+novel into Google, you’ll be able to lose yourself in the sea of, sometimes not so novel, opinions…
Sophie McCook, one of my new friends on the open-source social networking platform, Diaspora, is writing a chapter a day of her novel and posting it on a blog, tinychaptersontherun.
BTW, if you want an invite to Diaspora, which is in Alpha-testing-mode, send me an email at amzolt@gmail.com and I’ll make sure they invite you :-)
Here’s what Sophie says about her novel: “Tiny Chapters on the Run is the story of Miriam Short, told in bite-sized chapters, published once a day (except weekends – the author is only human!). Miriam has no tact, delicacy or grace. She lies, steals and inadvertently kills. But she did also get her brownie badges in ‘basic mental adjustment’ and ‘innate self-worth’. There will be ups and downs, loves and down-right dirty lies.”
As of the time I posted this, there are 53 chapters–they’re short, remember :-)
I’ve read the first two chapters and am having a time-schedule-freak-out—-prep for writing sequel to Notes from An Alien, 30 hours a week being Events Manager on Book Island in Second Life, attending to various social networking and other Webby tasks, wondering when to carve out time to read Don Quixote, and very necessary amounts of meditative zoning-out—-but Sophie’s novel has sucked me in…
DO go read it.
DO come back and let me know what you think.
I’ll pass your comments along to Sophie :-)
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“There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are. – W. Somerset Maugham.”
Sophie, however, seems to have worked them out because I really enjoyed Chapter One of her Tiny Chapters on the Run!
Jane, I’ve relayed your comment to Sophie over on Diaspora.
Perhaps she’ll come over here and respond :-)
Time schedule freakout, huh? Lol, oh man, can I relate to that!
I just read the first 2 Chapters of Sophie’s novel. I’m glad I took the time to do it. Good stuff!
Simone, I’m hoping I can get Sophie over here to respond to ya’ll :-)
Hello! I’m flattered by Alexander’s comments and yours in turn. I’ve been writing flat out as a way of releasing a few years’ worth of pent-up energy after working as an editor on other writers’ work. This novel is first-draft but hopefully it’s pretty energetic. I appreciate any feedback for the re-write! Many thanks again
Wow, Sophie, thanks for dropping by :-)
You heard her, folks, Feedback for the Re-write :-)
Ever since discovering flash fiction, I am enamored with the short story. I’m heading over there now to read….
Cool, Selena :-)