Tonight I welcome a new class of novel writers at Lane Community College. This class, like many, is a mixture of repeaters and newbies. On the first night, it’s important to make sure all are on board with what a novel is and what it should accomplish. I look forward to working with these student writers.
Writing Tip for Today: It may seem elementary, but some students inevitably ask, “Are all novels fiction?” Before you laugh, remember that the reading public is bombarded with reality TV shows and celebrity drama. In some memoirs, fact and fiction seem blurred. The student’s first attempt at writing a novel is often at least in part autobiographical. The answer, of course, is yes, all novels are fiction. And what should a novel accomplish? The bones of a good novel can be simply stated as “Interesting people in trouble.” Yet a novel is NOT “just one darned thing after another.” There must be a purpose in portraying the “people and trouble.” Remember: Character + goal +obstacles + determination = plot.

Try This! Many novelists group themselves in terms of pantsters (those who just write by the “seat of their pants”and see where it goes) and plotters (those who outline or somehow pre-write a course of action). Which do you think you are? This week, in your writing sessions, pretend you are the opposite–if you’re a “pantster,” write out an outline for a chapter or a scene. If you are a “plotter,” give up your planning for a few sessions. Or experiment by alternating styles on opposite writing days. See which style is more comfortable and which leads to most productivity.