There are three rules for writing the novel. “Unfortunately, no one knows what they are." --Somerset Maugham (famous old writer guy)
Unfortunately.
But today I think that there is only one rule for writing a novel. Fortunately, I know what it is.
In your face, Somerset.
When I start writing, as a discovery writer, it’s like looking at a mountain from a distance and imagining myself climbing that mountain. From a distance, it looks challenging but I can see myself doing it. I’ve done it before. From far off it doesn’t look that hard, actually.
So-o-o-o easy to fool yourself. You can do it without even trying.
So I actually sit down to write and I get to the base of the mountain. Everything changes. Once I get up close, the landscape becomes something very different. It’s wilderness. Confusing. Confounding. Hard. The imagined stroll becomes a marathon, a long-distance climb through all kinds of terrain, with bad weather and darkness and somewhat disturbing sounds all around.
But also exhilarating—all of it. Breathtaking views, beautiful sunsets, and the wonderous terrain of the great outdoors.
You can’t get to the good times if you don’t struggle. It’s true when you’re trying to become good at almost anything. It’s true in writing. So here is my one rule in writing, the only one you need. KEEP WRITING. If you expected some fancy and wise secret, sorry. It’s the simple and hard truth. The people who finish a novel do not let themselves not finish. They keep writing, knowing they’ll have the chance to rewrite.
One rule. Finish that first draft. Know it will likely suck. Permit yourself to write a not great first draft so you can write a better second draft and maybe a third or even a fourth. I generally write four drafts before I’m done. The first is always the hardest. KEEP WRITING.
Good luck.
