So you Want to Write a Novel ...

Everywhere I go, people tell me they want to write a book, or they are writing a book, or they've written a book. Then they ask if I'd like to read and review it. My standard answer, "No."

95% of all indie novels I've read this year have been lacking, and that makes me quite sad, because I love new novels, new authors, creative story-lines ...

Recently, I've come to the conclusion that the biggest problem of new indie authors is enthusiasm .

You're excited to write a book ...so you write it ...you love it ...your mother loves it ...your spouse loves it ...but they're not English majors.They're not editors.They don't know fiction like an agent knows fiction.But you put soooooooooo much time into the story that you can't bury it.You can't call it a "learning" experience.So you self-publish.And the majority of readers cringe.Then they shy away from indie fiction of any kind becausethe genre can no longer be trusted!PLEASE don't publish until you've learned novel writing skillsAND hired a professional editor.You hurt yourself and you hurt the indie market in general.
So where do you start? I've used two sentences based on actual excerpts from recent reading. I break them down one issue at a time to create a more engaging and stimulating sentence. They're not perfect, but they'll keep readers reading.
He was throwing a ball to his friend who waited anxiously with a long, sturdy, wooden bat.1. Eliminate was whenever possible! Correction: He threw a ball to his friend who waited anxiously with a long, sturdy wooden bat.
2. Limit the use of ly adverbs and get creative! Show us the action, please. That's why we read!Correction: He threw a ball to his friend who waited, fingers sweating as they clutched a long, sturdy wooden bat.
3. Get to the point and leave out all the unnecessary descriptive words, especially when they're obvious, like a bat being long.Correction: He threw a ball to his friend who waited, fingers sweating as they clutched the baseball bat.
She looked at his strong profile because it seemed to make her feel safe and secure.1. A POV (point of view character) is obviously the one looking, seeing, feeling and hearing in any particular scene, so please quit saying it. Just show it. Correction: Her eyes flickered to his strong profile because it seemed to make her feel safe and secure.
2. Start describing people, places, etc., instead of stating it. You're a creative writer. Remember to be creative. Also, try to enter environmental details into each scene to make it come to life.Correction: Her eyes flickered to his profile, the setting sun accentuating his Roman nose and prominent jawline. It seemed to make her feel safe and secure.
3. Quit overusing seemed. If a character is feeling a certain way about something, to them it is real. Also, give us hints as to thoughts, or glimpses into the future or past ...Correction: Her eyes flickered to his strong profile, the setting sun accentuating his Roman nose and prominent jawline. Her nerves soothed, and her stomach settled. Together, they would succeed.

Thank you for visiting my blog! As always, check out my newest novel, inDIVISIBLE available for Kindle and Nook.