A novel must be exceptionally good to live as long as the average cat. Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield good long exceptionally Change image and share on social
A novel, of course, is a fully self-contained work of art. You pick it up off the shelf, open it, and there it is - a whole universe waiting for you to enter. A screenplay is just a blueprint for making a movie. Until the movie is actually filmed, the script really means nothing. John Niven script work shelf share on social
A novel requires a certain kind of world-building and also a certain kind of closure, ultimately. Whereas with a short story you have this sense that there are hinges that the reader doesn't see. Dan Chaon require world short Change image and share on social
A novel's whole pattern is rarely apparent at the outset of writing, or even at the end; that is when the writer finds out what a novel is about, and the job becomes one of understanding and deepening or sharpening what is already written. That is finding the theme. Diane Johnson theme rarely apparent share on social
A novel should be a book of questions, not a book of answers. Hilary Mantel question answer book Change image and share on social
A novel should be an experience and convey an emotional truth rather than arguments. Joyce Cary emotional convey argument Change image and share on social
A novel takes place over time. It's a historical narrative, and it needs to have a series of peaks and valleys and the move through. You can't just start at the highest pitch and stay there, but you can in a lyric poem. Edward Hirsch stay take time share on social
A novel that does not uncover a hitherto unknown segment of existence is immoral. Knowledge is the novel's only morality. Milan Kundera knowledge morality immoral Change image and share on social
A novel that features real people is complicated, but in the end, that extra challenge is all for the good. Rick Bass feature complicate real Change image and share on social
A novel usually takes me two years. A year to research and plan and dream. Then a year to write. Rose Tremain plan take research Change image and share on social
