Why writing fiction can be so complex
I have been concentrating more and more on writing my own fiction lately (partially explaining the tumbleweed blowing through this blog during those times I neglect to post), and needless to say, it is very time consuming. In fact, I’d venture to say writing fiction is downright complicated!
Think about it: Writing a work of fiction involves plot, characters, setting, back story, narrative structure, point of view, timeline/pacing…and the list goes on. One can easily get caught up in these small-but-important details before even writing one word of a story or novel.
Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t some great epiphany I just experienced regarding the writing of fiction. No, I have always known that fiction is more complex than most non-writers (and even a few writers) care to give it credit for.
Luckily there is hope.
My strategy for writing fiction, no matter how complex it seems, is to just write. I’ll create a basic outline that has the key elements of the story, and then I put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard) and just start writing. A lot of the details can be worked out during the editing process.
This method won’t work for everyone. Some people have to write a detailed outline before they begin writing. If that’s how you work, great! Knowing how you work best is perhaps one of the most important parts of being a writer. And if you’re just starting out, then you get all the fun of experimenting with different methods.
In closing I will say this: To those of you that have written a novel from start to finish, did all the editing and actually shopped it around to agents/editors, my hat goes off to you!
Related posts
- To outline, or not to outline!
- 5 Benefits of writing without a plan
- Organize your fiction writing with an editorial calendar
- 5 tips to organize your writing
- When do you give up writing a piece of fiction?
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