Lesson 1: What it Takes to be a Novelist

(1) Describe for me in your own words what it takes to be a novelist. Submit this as a 280-310 word essay.(Spelling and Grammar please)


What it Takes to be a Novelist

The most important factor in whether a writer will become a successful novelist is for him to continually believe he has the capacity to improve. The inability to see your work objectively will block the growth you need to get published.

The novelist needs to have the self-discipline to set a routine in an environment conducive to writing and then to stick to it no matter what. He must keep those around him from disturbing him when he is working.

If the novelist can transport the reader into his world of imaginary people, characters and events he will have succeeded. He has to know himself well enough to be able to create characters with believable qualities.

The novelist has to have a love of words. If the novelist understands the necessity of using a thesaurus or dictionary the way a basketball player does in practicing free throws, he will develop a skill essential to being a successful writer the same way the hoopster does in scoring points.

The novelist also has to be professional. He has to have the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines. He has to have the willingness to stay up all night writing in order to do so if necessary.

Finally, the novelist must enjoy the process of writing a novel. He must thrive on overcoming each challenge to end up with the book he desires. He must have the emotional maturity to stay calm and not panic when confronted with adversity.

The youthfulness of spirit to never get bored with the process of crafting a manuscript is also indispensable for him to complete one he is willing to brand with his own signature.


2) If you have an idea for a novel, write a one-sentence blurb that would best describe your story.

An outside agent fosters the overthrow of an evil monarchy by manipulating the proportions of the substance increasing and improving life for the different castes of society.

(3) Then write a one-sentence question. This is called the Dramatic Question in Jessica Page Morrell's book BETWEEN THE LINES. She explains that this is the single most powerful question around which your story is based. In TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD,
the dramatic question is Can Atticus Finch defend his client against the trumped-up charges and face down the racism of the community?


Can an outside power overthrow an evil kingdom by tampering with its source of life-extending and health-providing elixer for the different castes of the society?