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Reader Submissions: Novel Writing Tips

From Ginny Wiehardt, former About.com Guide

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The thought of writing a novel intimidates many writers, and with reason. Novel writing requires not only creativity and talent, but patience and perseverance. See how other writers approached the challenge, and if you've written a novel yourself, share what worked for you.

Revision

For me the real writing does not begin until the first revision. I like to think of the first draft as the skeleton. This is where I focus mainly on getting the basic story down. The revisions are wh…More

Keep Working

Frustrated by my lack of artistic skills, I began writing as a child because I wanted to show the people and places I had dreamed up. That's been my basic tenet ever since. Of course, plot is essenti…More

Keep the Turkey Alive

I realized it doesn't take nose to the grindstone hard work, you just have to keep the turkey alive long enough to get it on paper, even if it takes years. After finishing TPoL I needed a break, I ha…More

Began with a Resolution

Well, I've kinda began with the resolution (stupid way of doing it , I know) and worked my way up. It's hard but I've written some good stuff and I don't wanna start over. I basically use any spare t…More

Tips from a First-Time Egyptian Author

My strategy was as highlighted here in your tips . . . WRITE AND WRITE AND DON'T STOP.When I had started writing my first novel, I had forced myself in the beginning to write everyday a couple of hou…More