If you think writing novels is easy, you're probably not very good at it
The problem of not knowing what it is that you don't know about writing fiction, plus more good ideas from my curation bucket.
Hey, y’all—
Are you a natural? You might think writing is the simplest thing in the world. Just sit down, let the words flow, and voilà—masterpiece.
If only it were that simple.
The truth is, if you find novel writing easy, you’re probably missing out on the nuances that make a novel truly compelling. Crafting fiction isn't just about typing away; it's about mastering narrative techniques, building complex characters, and creating plots that grip readers from start to finish. The deeper you delve into the craft, the more you’ll realize there is to learn.
Most new writers who come to me for editing on their first manuscript underestimate the depth of knowledge required to write commercial fiction. It’s easy to think that a couple of writing guides or a workshop will cover it, but real growth comes from recognizing the vast landscape of skills you’ve yet to master—and writing more manuscripts is the only way through. Embracing this truth can be both humbling and exciting; it’s the key to becoming a better writer.
Join me in exploring why discovering what you don’t know can supercharge your journey in writing fiction, as we deepen our practice of The Writes of Fiction
If you think writing is easy, you’re probably not very good at it
There’s a reason it’s rare for writers to find publication with the first book they write. It usually takes a while to get good at it. Knowing how to write a sentence is not the same thing as mastering a craft.
No one sits down and simply paints the Mona Lisa. Whether you realize it or not, you’re going to start off writing the equivalent of crude stick figures.—Read the rest from Nathan Bransford.
More on judging your writing: That leaves you with the only strategy within your control: Make sure your book is the best it can be before you query it. Don’t send off a half-baked, unrevised manuscript in the hope that someone will love it enough to undertake developing and editing it the rest of the way. Writing may be your hobby or dream, but publishing is a business. Publishing is an investment.
Revise thoroughly. Edit relentlessly. Get outside feedback from objective fans of your book’s genre. Make your manuscript as perfect as you reasonably have the resources to do. You can rest assured that the other writers in the slush pile are doing the same.—Read the rest at Is my writing good enough?