Novels give you the opportunity to create a whole world. Because you create people, you make them talk... You decide who they are, whether they live or die. It's the closest thing to feeling like a god that you can come to. Gioconda Belli closecreatedecide share on social
Novels have much more space than short stories, which gives you more leeway with the number of characters you can include. Even 'furniture' characters can be described and given speaking parts to develop background or atmosphere. Nancy Kress atmospherebackgroundcharacter share on social
Novels, in my experience, are slow in coming, and once I've begun them I know I have years rather than months of work ahead of me. Graham Swift aheadbegincome Change image and share on social
Novels often have leisurely openings; a TV drama needs an arresting opening. Andrew Davies arrestdramaleisurely Change image and share on social
Novels taught me that history is dramatic. I wanted my students to know that, too. Laura Amy Schlitz dramatichistorynovel Change image and share on social
Novels teach you that actions have consequences. They help you grow up. Hilary Mantel actionconsequencegrow Change image and share on social
Novels tend to end as the Paternoster begins: with the kingdom of God on earth. Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel beginearthend Change image and share on social
Novels usually evolve out of 'character.' Characters generate stories, and the shape of a novel is entirely imagined but should have an aesthetic coherence. Joyce Carol Oates aestheticcharactercoherence Change image and share on social
Novels will remain my meat and potatoes, what sustain me imaginatively. Benjamin Percy imaginativelymeatnovel Change image and share on social
Novels written by university professors and set in the groves of academe are far more rigidly predictable than anything but the most routine science fiction novel, but they have escaped the stigma of being labeled as genre. John Clute academeescapefiction share on social
