There is no secret to writing a novel

Good morning.

‘What are you talking about?’ I hear you gasp. ‘What do you mean, there is no secret?’ I have come to this realization after looking for one. I looked for one just in case there was a shortcut to getting it done. There isn’t. I have uncovered this valuable, somewhat sad, yet enlightening, information after several Crusade-sized efforts. What is it, then, that enables some people to churn out successful fiction or nonfiction? They are not luckier, nor do they have more support than you and me, nor are they always in a situation where they can just cozy up and add a few thousand words to their piece.

As I have said before, the writing community is a welcoming and encouraging one. The problem I slowly became aware of is that members who have successfully published one or more books have whittled all the information they have consumed into a format that suits them. As individuals, with individual quirks, they can share with us almost infinite formats. And therein lies the problem. As amicable and willing as writers are, any individual’s fit may not be yours. Listen to all everyone has to say, test out the ideas, ask many questions. Then what? What is the point of this Reflection?

You can feel confident that you have in you, all that you need to reach your goal. You will be able to create a novel that will reflect all that you expect of it. So, if there is a secret at all, here it comes:

• Stop looking for a personalized magic formula. There isn’t one.

• Sit down with pencil and paper.

• Stop looking at this screen.

• Start writing. Write whatever is in your head.

• Do not try to make it pretty. Just do it.

I am sure your novel will pour out. Give it, and yourself, permission to make its presence known. Let it keep sloshing onto the page.

It will feel wonderful.

Hope you discover your secret to writing and delight in the joy it brings you. Please let us know how you go.

Have a great day. Damon