Why do people ask " How to write a novel?"?

Question

Everyone wants to write a novel...but should somebody who truly has the gift of being able to write, JUST able to write a novel? Isn't it just instinct for a writer? I know, I am a writer, and I have never sat down and asked " How do I write a novel?", I just do it. I don't bother with all of this planning and character mapping.

I mean there are always techniques to learn, and classes to take to improve your writing, but shouldn't a writer just know how to write and not have to ask how to?

Answer 1

You are right. A person who is truly a writer does not " how to write a novel". They just do it. That question is the mark of a amateur. There are so many people out there who think they can write a novel, just like all these people who think they can write a screenplay. It is instinct for a writer, just like painting is the instict of the artist, they may get instruction on technique, but the natrual talent is the bulk of it.

Answer 2

In a way, it's similar to wanting to be a doctor. You want to help people, and you have some basic knowledge, but there are always new things to learn.
I'm a writer too -- have been all my life, first as a reporter, then a columnist, then novelist. My first job as a reporter was much like an apprenticeship. I'd turn in copy, the editor would edit it and I could l see why he did certain things, and gradually assimilated that into my writing. Since then I've attended workshops, taken courses, and gradually improved my writing.
If you are happy just sitting down to write, without planning or character mapping, good for you. But you might find that by doing it you can add more depth to your characters and more plot twists to your novel. As we both know, you have to plant clues throughout the book and can't have a blazing denouement at the end of the book simply appearing out of nowhere!
All that said, yes, a writer should have an irrepressible urge to write and should begin to write, but it never hurts to learn from others if it improves your craft -- whatever that craft might be.

Answer 3

Collaboration is the spirit of the country, I suppose.

I'm a writer myself and I always run into the same question with people. They just want to know.

I suppose that more than characterization and all that stuff, they should be learning goal-setting, discipline, and how to forget about setting the oven and taking the kids to school if the really want to write.

It takes time, you know?

But still, those courses you mention aren't all that bad. There's plenty to learn, and while most of it is instinctual, many tips and tricks may come in handy. And that's the reason for courses like the ones you described.

But then again, Google came along. So you have everything you need in one place.

Just don't tell anyone. God knows I wouldn't want to put an industry out of business.

Answer 4

i dont know if i word it that way but i agree certain things come naturally an artist doesnt ask how to paint his model- but then you have to consider the people that are NOT natural born writers, people who just got into writing and want to learn how to express themselves so they need a little help in getting started, i dont agree you should get very technical with writing though and people should obsess over the mechanics because novel writing is a messy thing that has no 'order' (unless you're on a deadline you sorta have to be more organized) which is probably what messes up newbies in any category i know for a fact i'm a horrible sketch artist but i would love to learn so i ask questions on techniques because its a new expression for me

Answer 5

No, not at all. There is a craft to writing a novel. A very few people have a natural affinity which enables them to easily emulate the craft without realizing what they are doing, but most writers put work into learning how to write.

Answer 6

Where I come from you cannot study anything like Creative Writing. Authors are supposed to know it themselves. But then again - we didn't have as many great authors in the last 40 or so years as the U.S. seems to 'produce' them. I don't know whether Richard Powers, Jonathan Franzen, John Updike or Philip Roth, or England's Ian McEwan ever took courses in Creative Writing - but they are probably the best contemporary writers!
I think tender instructions or worthwhile directions have their point!
Still, the best way to learn to write is to read and learn from those who already know and then create your own style .... Just a thought!

Answer 7

cos we want to know

i do the same thing dude, i just sit down and write, no planning, nada!

but does it come out perfectly the first time you do it, me, no

i go back and i read and its like,

"if someone else where to read this would they get what i'm saying,
am i giving enough details
should i spend more time describing characters and places? would they enjoy the story im telling? would they find my jokes funny - cos i think they are hallarious!"

i dont know if i want my stuff published, right now, im just writing for me, so i can enjoy myself, but if i were to publish..these are some of the things i'd have to consider!

Answer 8

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