All of my life, I've written short stories. Typically a short story may take me an hour or two to write, maybe less. I love the process: I get inspired, I write, revise and its done. Back to back. Instant payoff. And a few days later, with a clearer head I may go back and revise. Short stories have spoiled me. They are straight to the point--no nonsense. Now, I have finally accepted that writing a novel is a completely different process. And it's not going to happen in a day--or even a month. This is frustrating for me, but I'm making the commitment to stick to this story i'm writing.
Now i'm beginning to love the extended process i'm experiencing. Thinking of my story all the time, having random ideas fall into my head--its exciting. But now that i've made the commitment to finish this novel...I'm beginning to question my voice, my narrative style. Am I too minimalist? Do I need more...fluff, more words?
This may sound like a stupid question. By instinct, I am not very descriptive in my writing. I believe that if you describe a situation well enough, it will invoke a feeling. You don't have to tell a reader what to feel, just make them feel it. But my minimalist nature extends to other parts of the story as well. I find myself only describing what is essential to understand the current scene. I don't go on about what characters are wearing, unless their clothes are of importance to the plot. This manner of writing has always felt natural. But now I'm second guessing myself. When you are asking the reader to commit to a novel, do you need to offer them a more thorough description of the world? I'm really torn on this and actually stopped writing to question myself, and my voice.
After some introspection, I started thinking as a reader...what do I like and what do I not like. And this is what i've come to decide. On some level, I feel like descriptions of unusual things should be in more detail than descriptions of the common place. For instance, when reading other stories, I sometimes feel annoyed when writers thoroughly describe what their characters are wearing. I wonder, what does this have to do with the story? I would understand if the character's clothes are a hint to their personality...but in general descriptions of clothes--I think--are not necessary. Also, I think descriptions of a character's physical appearance doesn't have to be so in depth. I find it only necessary to describe specific facial features if they add some interest to the character's appearance.
I am spending a lot of time second guessing myself. I am analyzing, and reading other novels, I am beginning to build a truer sense of the writer I am. It's still not any easier, however. Writing a novel is a completely different process from writing short stories. Writing a novel takes dedication. It takes discipline. It takes losing sleep and writing even when you don't feel like it. I am making great progress. Facing my fear of failure. Telling myself that if I don't finish this, I may never forgive myself.
I am spending a lot of time second guessing myself. I am analyzing, and reading other novels, I am beginning to build a truer sense of the writer I am. It's still not any easier, however. Writing a novel is a completely different process from writing short stories. Writing a novel takes dedication. It takes discipline. It takes losing sleep and writing even when you don't feel like it. I am making great progress. Facing my fear of failure. Telling myself that if I don't finish this, I may never forgive myself.
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