The Organic Novel
Novel and short story writing is often taught, but any writer will tell you that there is no one way to write a novel. Some outline, some don’t. Some let the characters lead while others let the world be the dominant force.
No matter how you do it, I’m willing to venture you don’t write novels the same way twice.
I think of novels as a bit of a more organic thing than something I simply sit down and write. Each novel takes me in a different way. My current work in progress is presenting itself to me in little bits and pieces, none of which are in order. I have had novels keep me up at night because I simply had to finish writing that chapter or scene. I have completely outlined a novella before writing it, and I have also outlined absolutely nothing.
Sometimes the characters lead. Actually, with my work, the characters often lead, but even that varies from story to story.
As it should.
The organic novel is a good thing. It means that not every novel is the same in a very basic and perhaps even slightly subconscious way. The way your novel takes you in your writing it (by the hair, by the balls, or a more gentle approach) is often the way it will take your reader.
While your reader may not have to take a midnight cemetery ghost tour to really capture the essence of the book, the fact that your novel demanded that of you just goes to show that each one is and should be different.
Don’t resist where your novel takes you. Let it lead. You can always edit later.
***This post is part of the Fiction Scribe 100 Comments Contest. Click on the link to find out how you can win.***
May 13th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
I think you’re right. There are books that advocate a sort of “write-by-numbers” approach. Follow the specific formula to get a bestseller. What I’ve noticed about those books is this: every one of them is geared to produce the kind of books I don’t enjoy reading.
I don’t know about bestsellers; I don’t care that much about them. I do know if you want to write a book worth reading, you’ve got to give it its head.
May 13th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
The reminder I set last week worked! I remembered Velvet Verbosity’s challenge. My own entry is up here. I suggest you don’t read it if you’re feeling depressed. The word triggered a rather cynical and bitter vignette, I’m afraid.
May 14th, 2008 at 9:23 am
Very exceptional thoughts on writing, and I agree a novel is an organic thing that grows as we write it. Of my three some grew from the characters, some from a concept, and some from the setting.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
I very much agree. Novels should be nurtured and allowed to grow. If we want them to live in the minds of our readers, we should treat them like living beings.
May 15th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Thank you all for stopping by and commenting. I think the surpise of which way the novel will take lead is one of the theings I like most about writing novels. There are a lot of other things, of course, but it has never failed to surprise me when a novel has decided, “Alright, you sit back and just write while I do my thing.”