On Writing a Novel

The most important point about writing a novel is: writing it. The mere size of a novel is so huge, so large with so many moving parts, that, staying put and keeping pen to paper - rather, finger to keypad - and keeping at it, is the key to writing it.

The many 'How-to' books do help, as I have discovered last December. December 2012 is the most important month in my life as far as novel writing goes. I discovered Karen S Weisner and her book 'First Draft in 30 Days'. I didn't stop once I started reading it. Simultaneously I started following instructions. I am amazed at how useful the worksheets have turned out.

Now, the understand why I used to get overwhelmed working on novels, and was forced to stop after a few chapters every time. That way, I started several different novels, without finishing them. And now, the whole thing is becoming so easy. I am glad I came upon this book.

I've learnt the importance of brainstorming and doing research before writing even a word of the novel. It's all about planning and organizing. The more meticulous one's plan is, the easier the writing becomes.

Does this mean the end of creativity? Is there no place for creativity in fiction writing? I disagree. The creativity flows where it is needed the most - in writing the novel or the story, and not in going back and forth to iron out details after the story is written.

New Year Resolution 2013

Palm Springs, California

So the time has come and almost gone to make New Year resolutions for this year. Like so many other years, this year has come, is on its way. January has started, and we're almost in the middle of the month. Soon January would be over.

The more the years pass, the faster the speed of life, of time passing. When we are young, much younger, time has a slowness that it never has later on as we grow older. The closer we move to the closing line of life, the faster is our sprint towards it.

And there's more and more to do as we approach the Finish Line. A lot to do. And in that, organizing the list, making it manageable, is so much more necessary. That way, the available little time is well utilized.