How to write a novel, by an unpublished novelist

Maria Zannini says that it's important to keep your blog fresh. I rarely post here, because this is a blog intended to be strictly about writing, and quite frankly, I'd rather just write than wank about writing.

But in an effort to keep this as fresh as a summer's eve, here's what I've learned about writing novels:

1. Just write. Set a word limit for your day, set a time for each day when you must at least meet that word limit, then sit yourself down and write until you reach that limit. Don't shut down the word processing software until you have or, if you're a Luddite, don't shut the notebook and cap the pen.

2. Keep writing until you reach the end. Don't stop in the middle of the book (or a third of the way or two-thirds or one-eighth) to do a rewrite, not even a minor one. Plow through to the very end. It doesn't matter if you don't know what's going to happen next. You're the writer -- make something up. It doesn't matter if what's happening now doesn't jibe with what happened earlier. You can fix it on the revision. Persevere. When was the last time you saw a marathoner stop and decide he didn't run the first mile and a half correctly and start over from the beginning? Never. Don't be a wuss. Keep going.

3. Keep it to yourself. I know many of my writing friends would and do disagree. Several of my friends have posted chapters of their novels-in-progress to workshops and critique groups before they've written those all-important words, "The End." Maybe that works for them. Doesn't for me, and I think it's dangerous. Here's why. You are the writer. That means you're the boss of your novel. You're in charge. When you let other people critique your novel before it's finished, you're giving up control. You may tell yourself you only want to make sure you're on the right track, but it all comes back to two needs. First, to have someone tell you you're on the right track. Second, to get praise. Let's examine the second need first. If you want praise for your writing, write sappy poems and show them to your mother. She's your mom, of course she's going to tell you how wonderful you are. Now, as for wanting reassurance that your novel is on the right track, how can anyone else know if you don't? This comes down to the desire to write a perfect first draft, and honey, nobody does that. Nobody. The desire to be perfect is the most deadly pitfall for a writer. You are never going to be perfect, and neither is your work. Accept that and move on. Finally, by sharing your work and seeking feedback before the first draft is complete, you run the risk of writing a Novel by Committee. Again, you're the boss. Take charge.

4. Be merciless in your revision. Anytime you feel yourself wincing when you read your sucky first draft, draw a red circle around that section. It means it really does suck and you really do need to fix it. Work on it and work on it and work on it until it doesn't make you wince anymore.

5. Listen to the people who offer you critiques of your finished draft. 'Cause, darlin', they didn't read it for their health. They're trying to help you. Maybe they didn't express themselves in the most tactful way, and maybe their advice is totally wrong. But listen to them and consider their advice anyway.

6. Make the call. After you've considered all the critiques, especially the harsh ones, be willing to throw away the ones that just don't feel right. It's your novel.

So that's it. Thus endeth the sermon.