How difficult is writing a good novel?

Question

can a man live with his books?

Answer 1

I like John Irving's answer to the question of "How tough is it to write a good novel?"

He said that writing a book is one of those things in life like driving and having sex that everyone assumes they can do incredibly well when in truth very few can do it well.

Answer 2

It depends on whether or not you want to write the novel. If you do want to then it'll probably end up a good book because you actually wanted to write it. But if you do not want to write something, then it will not end up good. So if you really want to write something, then I would say it is quite easy.

I am working on a book right now as well and I frequently get writer's block. I do want to write it, but sometimes it just doesn't come to me. So it's really not always that easy. And I definitely can't accept constructive criticism! :(

Answer 3

It depends on what you would enjoy. For some it is easy and others it would be difficult. If you decide to go ahead and do it, don't expect to be picked up by a publisher. Publishing is in a very bad way these days... printed books are on the decline and even excellent long term writers are having a difficult time getting published. If you do it, do it for your own personal growth. But if you enjoy doing it... go right ahead and enjoy. You never know how it will help you later.

Answer 4

Lol, rather difficult. I began mine six years ago and only now is it getting printed. And the only way I wrote it with a halfway agreeable wording choices was because I read so many books. I would read for half a day then sit down and write a chapter. Reading really ups your writing skills 100%.

Tell me if you decide to print a book, I'll go check it out! ;)

Answer 5

It depends on ur feelings & on ur way of life.If u r living a such kind of life that u can write many things from the memories ur life or by ur feelings, so it won't be too difficult.But it would be a bit problem for arranging them in a nice order.On the other hand, it would be a great difficult for them who have hardly any different memories in their life.

Answer 6

Depends on how much one knows about what they're writing. I heard that when an artist makes a creation, he is compelled to find any reason to hate it. Personally, I've started writing many novels and the difficulty is mainly getting through it without getting sick of it.

Answer 7

To write a "Novel" is pretty tough.

The person needs to be pretty literate, have a vivid imagination and a pretty good plot/outline planned out.

To just write about a meeting, write about a battle is all good (Work for wikipedia!). But to write a Novel where the meeting turns into a chance encounter with your 3rd grade sweetheart, who happens to be married to a military commander of a foreign country getting ready to invade your country and you have to find a way to stop it before it happens. Leading you into a series of meetings/events, is pretty tough.

Now not only do you have to be pretty good at coming up with it, but also pretty well off at writing/typing to attract to your audience.

Vivid descriptions, the way the mood/tone of the novel is set.

Its a tough thing to do, but once you do one your bound to do more :)

Good luck and I hope to see a novel from you!

Answer 8

Well, it very much depends upon the individual. Consider your other written works(hopefully fiction, if you have ventured into short stories before), you would be successful with the undertaking of a novel if you,
1) are in complete control of the pace of the narrative.
2) are competent with a number of diverse themes and interchanging frames of reference and points of view.
3) can venture into philosophies with conviction and subtlety without losing the main focus.

Answer 9

I'm finding it difficult to write any novel, good or bad. Your best bet is to just write, write, write!

Answer 10

Can you write a compelling story?

Can you create lively characters?

Can you describe intriguing places?

Can you perservere when others can't?

Can you withstand continuous rejection?

Can you accept constructive criticism?

Do you read, read,read,read?

Do you write,write,write,write?

If you answered Yes, then you have a good chance to write a good novel.

Whether you can live with it is another matter.