Here's another post in my Advice for Novelists series in which editors, authors, agents and publicists answer the question:"If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"
Learn your craft. The overwhelming weakness of most fiction manuscripts I see is that the writer hasn't taken time to learn the craft of writing fiction.
When I decided I wanted to write novels I began reading books on the craft of fiction. I've lost count of how many books I read. I read and studied novels. I marked them up like you would mark your Bible. I took notes. I listened to audio books. I did everything I could to help me learn the art of writing fiction. So take time to learn your craft. From the time I started studying fiction to the time my first novel was published was close to 12 years. I'm not saying you should take that long, but don't rush things either.
--James Pence, author of Terror by Night (w/ Terry Caffey), Blind Sight, and more. Visit his website.
6 comments:
Good advice, thanks for sharing it!
Blessings,
Karen
Thanks. I always love these posts. C.J, I can't wait to read your book. I read the first chapter online. How did you know how to describe 'buzzed' driving so well...as a sweet homeschooled highschooler! :) (Just shows how good you are).
Karen... glad you like the posts! Thanks for your feedback.
Rachel... Ha ha. Well, luckily it does not come from personal experience! I did do a lot of research on that. :)
Very good advice. I do find that the more I write, the more attention I pay to the books I'm reading and how they are written. Lots to learn!
Hey C.J.--I just ordered Thicker Than Blood on Amazon. :) yay!
This is great advice, James, and the learning never stops. Great series, C. J.!
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