How Not to Write a Novel
Key Takeaways
1. Avoid common plot pitfalls to keep your story engaging
Remember: if there is gum on the mantelpiece in the first chapter, it must go on something by the last chapter.
Maintain narrative momentum. Avoid excessive backstory, unnecessary details, or irrelevant subplots that slow down the pace. Instead, focus on:
- Starting with action or conflict to hook the reader
- Introducing plot elements that will pay off later
- Maintaining a consistent tone and pacing throughout the story
Avoid predictability. Surprise your readers by subverting expectations and avoiding clichés. This can be achieved by:
- Creating unexpected plot twists
- Developing complex characters with conflicting motivations
- Resolving conflicts in unique and satisfying ways
2. Create compelling, believable characters with depth
Perfect people are boring. Perfect people are obnoxious because they're better than us. Perfect people are, above all, too good to be true.
Develop flawed, relatable characters. Readers connect with characters who struggle and grow. To create such characters:
- Give them realistic strengths and weaknesses
- Provide backstories that inform their actions and decisions
- Allow them to make mistakes and learn from them
Avoid one-dimensional stereotypes. Characters should be complex and multi-faceted. Achieve this by:
- Giving them unique quirks and contradictions
- Showing their inner thoughts and emotions
- Allowing them to change and evolve throughout the story
3. Master the basics of style to enhance your writing
Clichés and common expressions also offer the potential danger of being too close to the thing to which they refer.
Develop a clear, engaging voice. Your writing style should enhance the story, not distract from it. To achieve this:
- Use varied sentence structures and vocabulary
- Avoid overused phrases and clichés
- Show, don't tell – use descriptive language to paint vivid scenes
Be concise and purposeful. Every word should serve a purpose in advancing the story or developing characters. To tighten your prose:
- Eliminate unnecessary adverbs and adjectives
- Cut redundant phrases and repetitive information
- Use strong verbs to convey action and emotion
4. Craft authentic dialogue and effective narration
Speech tags are one of the places where long tracts of explanation do not go.
Write realistic, character-specific dialogue. Conversation should reveal character and advance the plot. To achieve this:
- Give each character a unique voice and speech patterns
- Use dialogue to show relationships and conflicts between characters
- Avoid excessive exposition through dialogue
Balance narration and dialogue. Effective storytelling combines both elements. To create a good balance:
- Use narration to set scenes and provide context
- Show character emotions and reactions through both dialogue and internal thoughts
- Vary the pace by alternating between dialogue-heavy and narrative-heavy sections
5. Build a vivid and consistent fictional world
While a novel cannot do without plot or characters, your novel should work perfectly well for someone who doesn't notice the symbols at all.
Create a believable setting. Whether writing contemporary or speculative fiction, your world should feel authentic. To achieve this:
- Research relevant details to add depth and authenticity
- Establish consistent rules and logic for your fictional world
- Integrate setting details naturally into the narrative
Use symbolism and themes subtly. Themes should enhance the story without overpowering it. To incorporate themes effectively:
- Allow themes to emerge organically from the plot and characters
- Use symbolism sparingly and purposefully
- Avoid heavy-handed moralizing or preaching
6. Handle sensitive topics and themes with care
If you are far from the mainstream, a more gently persuasive approach is called for.
Approach controversial subjects thoughtfully. When addressing sensitive topics, be mindful of your audience and potential impact. To handle these subjects responsibly:
- Research thoroughly to ensure accurate representation
- Present multiple perspectives on complex issues
- Avoid stereotypes and oversimplification
Be aware of your biases. Recognize and address your own prejudices and assumptions. To create a more balanced narrative:
- Seek feedback from diverse readers
- Consider the implications of your portrayals
- Be open to revising problematic elements
7. Approach advanced techniques with caution
Sex and humor are both very difficult to realize on the page, it is all too easy to realize humor while trying to realize sex.
Master the basics before attempting advanced techniques. Experimental styles and structures can be powerful when used effectively, but they require skill and practice. When considering advanced techniques:
- Ensure they serve the story and aren't just gimmicks
- Study successful examples in your genre
- Be prepared to revise extensively to make them work
Handle sensitive scenes with care. Scenes involving sex, violence, or intense emotions require delicate handling. To write these effectively:
- Focus on emotional impact rather than graphic details
- Use subtle language and metaphors when appropriate
- Ensure these scenes advance the plot or character development
8. Perfect your query letter to increase chances of publication
The time to focus on your novel's flaws is when you're revising it, not when you're pitching it.
Craft a compelling pitch. Your query letter is your first impression on agents and publishers. To make it effective:
- Summarize your story concisely and engagingly
- Highlight what makes your book unique in the market
- Include relevant biographical information and writing credentials
Present yourself professionally. Avoid common pitfalls that can turn off potential agents or publishers. In your query:
- Proofread meticulously for errors
- Follow submission guidelines exactly
- Be confident but not arrogant about your work
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FAQ
What's "How Not to Write a Novel" about?
- Guide to Avoid Mistakes:"How Not to Write a Novel" by Howard Mittelmark and Sandra Newman is a guide that highlights 200 common mistakes aspiring novelists make and offers advice on how to avoid them.
- Focus on What Not to Do: Instead of traditional writing advice, the book focuses on what not to do, using humor and examples to illustrate pitfalls.
- Structure and Content: The book is divided into sections covering plot, character, style, perspective, and the world of the novel, each with specific examples of errors.
- Practical and Humorous: It combines practical advice with humor, making it an engaging read for both novice and experienced writers.
Why should I read "How Not to Write a Novel"?
- Learn from Mistakes: The book provides insights into common writing errors, helping you learn from others' mistakes rather than making them yourself.
- Improve Writing Skills: By understanding what not to do, you can refine your writing skills and create more compelling and publishable work.
- Engaging and Entertaining: The humorous approach makes it an enjoyable read, offering both entertainment and education.
- Broad Applicability: The advice is applicable to writers of all genres, making it a valuable resource for any aspiring novelist.
What are the key takeaways of "How Not to Write a Novel"?
- Avoid Common Pitfalls: The book identifies and explains 200 common mistakes in novel writing, providing clear examples and solutions.
- Focus on Clarity and Engagement: It emphasizes the importance of clear, engaging writing that keeps readers interested and turning pages.
- Character and Plot Development: Offers insights into creating believable characters and plots that resonate with readers.
- Practical Writing Tips: Provides practical tips on style, perspective, and voice to enhance the quality of your writing.
How does "How Not to Write a Novel" address plot development?
- Beginnings and Setups: The book discusses the importance of strong beginnings and setups, warning against starting with mundane or irrelevant details.
- Complications and Pacing: It highlights the need for well-paced plots with meaningful complications that keep readers engaged.
- Endings: The authors stress the importance of satisfying endings that resolve the plot without resorting to clichés or deus ex machina.
- Avoiding Redundancy: Emphasizes cutting unnecessary scenes and focusing on the core story to maintain narrative momentum.
What advice does "How Not to Write a Novel" give on character development?
- Avoid Stereotypes: The book advises against creating stereotypical or one-dimensional characters, encouraging depth and complexity.
- Realistic Motivations: Characters should have believable motivations and flaws, making them relatable and engaging.
- Character Arcs: It stresses the importance of character development and growth throughout the story.
- Supporting Characters: Offers tips on creating memorable sidekicks and significant others who enhance the protagonist's journey.
How does "How Not to Write a Novel" suggest improving writing style?
- Clarity Over Complexity: The book advises using clear, straightforward language rather than overly complex or pretentious vocabulary.
- Avoiding Clichés: It warns against relying on clichés and encourages original, vivid descriptions.
- Dialogue Tips: Provides guidance on writing realistic dialogue that reflects character and advances the plot.
- Consistent Voice: Emphasizes maintaining a consistent narrative voice that suits the story and characters.
What are some specific methods or advice from "How Not to Write a Novel"?
- "Radical Surgery for Your Novel": Suggests cutting unnecessary scenes and focusing on the main plot to improve pacing.
- "The Red Herring on the Mantelpiece": Advises using red herrings effectively to add depth and intrigue to the story.
- "The Padded Cell": Discusses the challenges of writing in the age of cell phones and how to handle technology in plots.
- "The Democracy": Warns against using too many points of view, which can confuse readers and dilute the narrative.
What are the best quotes from "How Not to Write a Novel" and what do they mean?
- "We are merely telling you the things that editors are too busy rejecting your novel to tell you themselves." This quote highlights the book's purpose: to provide candid advice that writers might not hear from editors.
- "Do not think of us as traffic cops, or even driving instructors. Think of us instead as your onboard navigation system." This metaphor suggests that the authors aim to guide writers through the complexities of novel writing.
- "If you have made a point in one way, resist the temptation to reinforce it by making it again." This advice emphasizes the importance of avoiding redundancy in writing.
- "The only legitimate reason to do that is if the word you have chosen is the best word to express the idea." This quote underscores the importance of word choice and precision in writing.
How does "How Not to Write a Novel" address the use of perspective and voice?
- Consistent POV: The book stresses the importance of maintaining a consistent point of view to avoid confusing readers.
- Avoiding Head-Hopping: It warns against frequently switching perspectives, which can disrupt the narrative flow.
- Narrative Voice: Offers advice on developing a strong narrative voice that aligns with the story's tone and style.
- Interior Monologue: Discusses the effective use of interior monologue to reveal character thoughts and emotions without overwhelming the reader.
How does "How Not to Write a Novel" tackle the theme and message in writing?
- Subtlety Over Preaching: The book advises against overtly preaching a message, suggesting that themes should emerge naturally from the story.
- Symbolism: Encourages the use of subtle symbolism rather than heavy-handed metaphors that can distract from the narrative.
- Avoiding Clichéd Themes: Warns against relying on overused themes and encourages originality in conveying messages.
- Integration with Plot: Emphasizes that themes should be integrated with the plot and character development for a cohesive story.
What does "How Not to Write a Novel" say about setting and world-building?
- Avoid Over-Description: The book advises against excessive description that can slow down the narrative.
- Consistency in World-Building: Stresses the importance of creating a consistent and believable world, especially in fantasy and historical fiction.
- Relevance to Plot: Encourages settings that enhance the plot and character development rather than existing as mere backdrops.
- Avoiding Anachronisms: Warns against anachronisms in historical settings that can break the reader's immersion.
How does "How Not to Write a Novel" suggest handling research and historical accuracy?
- Thorough Research: The book emphasizes the importance of thorough research to create believable historical or technical details.
- Avoiding Info-Dumps: Advises against overwhelming readers with excessive information that doesn't serve the story.
- Integrating Research: Encourages integrating research seamlessly into the narrative to enhance authenticity.
- Balancing Fact and Fiction: Discusses the balance between historical accuracy and creative storytelling in historical fiction.
How Not to Write a Novel receives mostly positive reviews for its humorous approach to identifying common writing mistakes. Readers appreciate the witty examples and practical advice, finding it both entertaining and instructive. Some criticize the book for being too basic or patronizing, while others note its usefulness for aspiring writers. The exaggerated examples and sarcastic tone are praised by many but considered off-putting by a few. Overall, reviewers recommend it as a lighthearted guide for novice writers and an enjoyable read for literary enthusiasts.
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