One of the most frequent questions I, or any writer, gets is “how do you write a novel”?
Well, there is no easy answer to that question because, of course, writing a novel is no easy feat. After all, almost everyone will say they’d like to write a novel someday. The number of people who HAVE written novels (published or not) is far, far smaller.
One reason it’s such a hard question to answer is because there is no one, set, preferred way to do it. Some people labor over every word. Others, like me, try to hammer out a rough draft as quickly as possible
The only thing that is certain is this: you write a novel by writing.
In a way, the best advice you can get on the subject is from the TV show How I Met Your Mother.
All you have to do is substitute “write a book” for “run a marathon” and you’ve got it. In so, so many ways, this is done by just running.
One of my favorite writers (and people), Holly Black, just blogged today with how she wrote the third book in her great Curse Workers series, Black Heart. (go check it out)
And, of course, I’m currently working on Gallagher Girls 5 (title and release date still unknown). If you follow me on Twitter, you’ve probably noticed that for the last week or so I’ve been doing 2,500 words per day. If I keep up this pace I’ll have a first draft (note JUST a first draft which is a long, long way from a finished book) by April 1. (which will be followed by many, many months of rewriting.)
So, if you’ve ever wondered how to write a novel, but you haven’t because you don’t know how–well, don’t feel badly. Most of us don’t know how either. The difference is we just do it anyway.
Take care,
Ally
Anonymous says
March 9, 2011 at 2:29 amAlly,
I love your advice, it is something I cherish deeply. You are a great writer and a great role model. I enjoy writing I think the hard part starting, but once you start you are on a roll. Ally I just want to thank you for all the time and advice you give and put into this website, you are one of my favorite authors, that I respect, vey much. That post made my day Ally. I can’t wait to read UC and GG5. Epp!
-Alexis 🙂
GGluvr says
March 9, 2011 at 6:23 amhi ally, thanks for the advise, mabey i will write a novle someday (look 4 it plz!) and thnx 4 writing GG5, i cant wait! plz post a mini expert asap!
Chanel says
March 9, 2011 at 9:09 amnice advice ally and hope draft 1 is going great
I <3 how i meet your mother
k says
March 9, 2011 at 7:52 pmIt’s nice to know that not all authors have great plans when they write, because I’ve written two novels (sadly as yet unpublished) and both times I’ve barely had a clue what was going to happen in three pages let alone by the end of the book and even when I did know a specific part of the plot by the time I got to that point the story had usually changed so it didn’t quite work and I had to figure out how to work around it.
nat says
March 9, 2011 at 9:31 pmthe way i see it if you start writing a book young (like 12)
than its much esier to find time to write it than if you were an adult with a full job (well we have 5 7hour days of school so its not that diffrent) but still if you start writing young it gets done way faster than when your older and not a full time author! so i better get writing!!!!
-nat
Crazily Quite Lovely says
March 10, 2011 at 12:25 amBarney Stinson is a super genius. Without him, How I Met Your Mother would be only /slightly/ awesome. XD
Great advice, and good luck writing!
Sydney says
March 10, 2011 at 1:30 pmI’m currently working on revising my story that I’ve been working on for 2 years. I know how it is when people want you to finish it. All my friends are desperate to read it and I’m not done. Thanks for the great advice you give!
Nicole says
March 10, 2011 at 3:48 pmNice post, Ally.
I’m a Word Laborer, and my friend’s a Hammerer. We covet each other’s method, thinking other’s more effective.:p Your “Don’t get it right, get it written,” has been an abuntant help to me though. Reminds me I’m not writting in stone.
Just curious. Do know of any authors out there right now who are “Woed Laborer”?
Emarie says
March 10, 2011 at 4:13 pmoh god! i love you so much! people are very fond of your series here in the uk. i live in america now though, but go over there during summer.
All i wanted to type is that you should move at your own pace. thats what makes your books so fascinating, there are SO well written.
i also really want to be a writer, and this was really good advice. you really are my inspiration, i hope i can write as well as you. though im only in my teens.
(:
BookSnob says
March 10, 2011 at 5:53 pmI hear Dean Koontz is.
Anonymous says
March 12, 2011 at 11:17 pmHa ha ok so i showed my mom that clip(she’s a major runner)an d she thought it was really funny, and then she watched it like 3 more times and now im just like ok its not funny anymore! don’t you hate it when people do that!
Erin says
March 14, 2011 at 9:53 pmThat is very funny. Thanks for keeping it simple 🙂
-Erin
Renee1 says
March 16, 2011 at 12:43 amThat is SO awesome 😀 Ha ha funny 🙂 Step one… there is no step two
Writers just write… and they keep writing, so that’s what I’m doing. Thanks for the tip, it was short, sweet, to the point, and funny
Anonymous says
March 24, 2011 at 5:00 pmLol… Step one: you start running-There is no step two. That just made my day… classic!
casino på nätet says
April 5, 2011 at 12:23 pmAll my friends are desperate to read it and I’m not done. Thanks for the great advice you give!
Kiri says
April 6, 2011 at 5:10 amThank you so much for this post I do have diffuculty writing I get the idea down then bang another one comes out of my head it’s annoying I love reading your stories they give me insperation to write my stories
Sapphire Blue says
June 10, 2013 at 2:42 pmAlly,
I’ve been working on a idea for a Novel. I have a notebook and all, but I can’t figure out if I want it to be about a spy or a thief. What do you think?