Novels are long-form prose fiction, typically over 40,000 words. Questions that use this tag can relate to writing, editing, publishing, formatting or technique as applied specifically to novels. If the question applies to more than just novels, it should probably use the Fiction tag instead.
7
votes
5answers
256 views
Can I write my sub stories separately?
I am writing a novel with two groups of characters. They will have their own adventures, and meet somewhere after the middle to take on the main villain.
Now in the book, the stories will be ...
4
votes
3answers
414 views
Single character POV vs. two POVs - how to decide?
I'm starting to look at my next novel, and I'm trying to decide whether I should tell it from one POV or two. I've used both techniques in the past, so I'm aware of the basic ...
7
votes
4answers
316 views
How do I successfully structure a long fiction piece?
I’ve ‘completed’ three novels – a thriller, a coming-of-age story, and a mystery. I’ve had expert readers for all three including Sue Grafton who read two of them. All the expert readers have the same ...
19
votes
5answers
1k views
So I finished my novel. Now what do I do?
A few days ago I finished the first draft of my current novel project after a few months of work, finishing at 83,212 words. Now what should I do with it?
So obviously I need to edit it. Should I ...
14
votes
12answers
613 views
For Fantasy Stories, Should You Include a Map At the Beginning of the Book?
If you're writing a fantasy novel, would it be best to include a map of the geography that the story takes place in at the beginning of the book?
I've seen quite a lot of fantasy books (Redwall ...
6
votes
7answers
648 views
Dialogue writing practices?
First time novelist, long time writer here. I'm looking for creative writing exercises to help with my dialogue.
Any ideas?
5
votes
6answers
346 views
How do I keep the plot interesting in a humorous book?
I am about to start writing a fantasy-comedy novel. A problem I found in 1-2 books of this genre is that the plot becomes weak, and the story starts to slow down.
The reason I believe this happens is ...
8
votes
6answers
579 views
What to do if I can't meet my chapter word count?
I usually set a word count goal for each of my chapters, say 2000 words. But sometimes I can't meet that goal, for any number of reasons. What should I do:
A. Continue anyway, and hope to increase ...
6
votes
4answers
179 views
How to give the readers breathing space, without putting them to sleep?
I remember reading somewhere that while plots should have tension, too much tension will tire the readers out, so there should be some breathing place, where the reader can get a chance to catch their ...
7
votes
2answers
104 views
How much agent contact should I expect?
How much contact should I expect to have with my literary agent (from a sizeable London firm, representing my first novel)? Are months of silence to be expected/endured? If so...how many?
3
votes
5answers
305 views
Should I start work on a sequel before I have sold my book?
I finished the 1st draft of my book, and have put it in the freezer(as I asked about in this question). I was planning to start work on a sequel of the book in the meantime.
But I was told by someone ...
13
votes
5answers
557 views
Can I shop an unfinished novel?
I've been writing a novel that addresses some very current themes. My belief is that if I can get it out there quickly, it will succeed well. I'm working on it frantically, but will agents consider ...
6
votes
1answer
261 views
Is it plausible to get a contract with an US/UK publisher as a foreigner?
Looking for some insight in the publishing industry.
Is it even remotely plausible to get published in with an English-language publishing house (UK/US), when you're not a national nor a resident of ...
6
votes
3answers
519 views
Is it wise to publish a novel as an e-book, and how would I do it?
I'm considering publishing my novel as an e-book (since I'm very techy) before I take the usual "paperback" route. Is this a wise choice?
Also what would I need to do? (steps).
17
votes
6answers
803 views
Why does an author need an editor?
I'm firmly in the camp of "your novel needs an editor, and that editor better not be yourself." But recently I was asked why that was, and I couldn't articulate an answer that was passable.
Young ...
2
votes
3answers
1k views
Adding breaks in a novel—spaces, asterisks, or a chapter break?
I am editing my first novel and wherever I find a natural break in the story, I add a few spaces. I want to go back and adjust what types of breaks those are, but how best to represent those spaces in ...
8
votes
3answers
178 views
What disciplines/habits are used to stay focussed on one novel over a long period of time?
One of my biggest issues is staying focussed on a single novel.
My imagination is always creating new and wonderful ideas. I write a few chapters on this story, a few on that story, but never ...
4
votes
3answers
718 views
How to sell novel excerpts as short stories
Occasionally I've seen novel excerpts published in short story venues. They're usually sections of a recent or forthcoming novel that also hold together as a self-contained story. Alternately, ...
2
votes
2answers
347 views
Is character driven fiction more successful than plot driven fiction?
I have heard that editors and publishers prefer character driven fiction, where the characters grow and learn, rather than plot driven ones. Is there any truth to this?
Edit:
In response to comments: ...
13
votes
3answers
356 views
When publishing a Fantasy novel, do I look for a specific Fantasy-only publisher, editor, and/or agent?
When attempting to publish a fantasy book, how will I go about selecting a publisher? Is it possible to find a list of publishers that publish specifically fantasy books?
Similar to publishers being ...
30
votes
6answers
980 views
I have written my first novel and I think it's ready. What next?
I've completed my first novel and done as much editing as I think I can as the author. What should I do next in order to get this out there?
9
votes
5answers
292 views
Why do ebooks often mimic the layout of the printed page?
I was recently editing a novel destined to be published primarily in e-book form, and made a list of pre-press instructions, to be followed when the final text is agreed upon. Some of these ...
4
votes
4answers
672 views
Do Fantasy novels have less readership than a Realistic Fiction novel?
Am I right in assuming that a fantasy book will garner much less interest than a realistic fiction novel? On one hand, fantasy has its own market of readers that are always looking for new, great ...
3
votes
4answers
999 views
No English degree, what are my chances on successfully publishing a novel?
I don't have an English or Writing-related degree in any way. As of right now, I have no degree, but what I mean is that I'm not even pursuing a degree in writing.
How does this hurt my chances? Do ...
1
vote
2answers
202 views
Why is this ‘loved’ italicized?
I’m interested in italics in novels. Italic writings in novels have a wide variety of feelings, for example surprise, delight, anger, irony, humor, etc. However, consulting reference books, I only ...
7
votes
6answers
456 views
How to attract the average reader to an “intellectual” novel?
For instance, If I write a novel which has the following:
“The universe goes through a gradual
transition from one condition, to a
different condition, without any
abrupt changes.”
...
8
votes
2answers
268 views
How do critics review an author's first and second and maybe third novel differently?
Do critics review first, second, and third novels differently? And if so, how?
What do critics think is the significance of the birth order of novels?
5
votes
2answers
123 views
What's the proper way of formatting writing from a character in a novel?
I'm writing a story that constantly shows what the characters are writing.
I would like to know how to format that. Right now I'm doing it like this
(please ignore the grammar, it is a rough draft):
...
12
votes
7answers
286 views
Should you read your own genre?
In terms of novel writing, I tend to avoid my own genre, at least for the most part. Some of the reasons why:
Genre Blindness / Genre Trap:
Too much reading of your own genre blinds you to the ...
5
votes
2answers
483 views
Guideline on turning points in a novel?
What are some popular guides regarding structuring a novel, specifically what turning points the story should hit and approximately at what point in the manuscript?
I'm looking for something more ...
7
votes
2answers
249 views
How to emphasize a quote is written, not spoken?
In a similar question on EL&U, I asked about suggestions for indicating that a quote is written instead of spoken.
Robusto's answer suggested several possible approaches:
For longer quotes of ...
9
votes
2answers
176 views
What exactly do I do to get published?
I'm interested to know what the publishing process exactly entails for future reference. I'm in my last year of school and I recently finished my first substantial piece of creative writing (a subject ...
5
votes
4answers
779 views
Do Novels follow a 3 Act/2 Plot Point structure like most Movie Scripts?
Many Movie scripts use a Structure where there are 3 Acts (Setup, Climax, Resolution) with 2 Plot Points (end of Act 1 and end of Act 2) (Three Act Structure)
I wonder if there are standards for ...
