Hosting Adriana Ink on FB Live has been illuminating. As I read new releases week to week, most as far in advance as possible, I remain in awe of the great talent in the world of books. No two writers share the same process- each comes at the work in their own original ways- some authors envy the formula authors- who time and again put out novels that are terrific, but tell the story with familiar architecture, similar themes, action and locales. Other authors seek complete reinvention with every novel, (that has its own perils and rewards).
Beware the advice of the smarty pants who insist you write your novel a specific way. Anyone who gives you a list of rules may be a very good rule writer, and not looking out for your creativity. If you follow their rules, you’ll be writing your novel the way they write theirs- and that won’t be true to your instincts. Advice may be free, but it will cost you. Beware the know it alls who make sweeping statements about the current state of publishing:, i.e. women’s stories are dead or thrillers are over, and beyond predictions, make judgements on style- i.e. tell you description is not literary. (I will fight to the finish on that one- description, when it’s lively is essential to a great read. It is transportive.)
The only place I can rest in the beauty of the world (if I am not standing in the experience of the moment myself ) is in the hands of a great writer. That writer is her own creation- and we need her individual point of view. Therefore, there isn’t one path to the big finish. There’s no class you can take- but you may want to consider studying engineering, automotive repair or French cuisine or medicine- because the subjects that obsess you will end up in your novel and you will need to share why on the page.
Continue reading in Part Three: The Art of Storytelling.
