If you are a writer in search of skills for writing a novel, then here is a word of warning. DO NOT read the Greyhaus Literary Agency Blog.
Get online, review any number of blogs and articles on writing characters, plots, stories and conflicts. you will not find a formula. And yet, many of you get online daily, reading blog posts and articles in the hopes of finding that Willie Wonka Golden Ticket with the exact way of writing your story. Somehow, you have gotten to the point where you believe if you read enough of these articles, your writing will suddenly become worthy of a publisher and an agent. Somehow you have come to believe "if I do it this way the publisher or agent will sign me, no questions asked."
The problem with this is simple. You aren't reading.
I am serious. Blogs and articles such as the one you would find like this have a hidden little clue you are missing. Let me explain.
When we discuss things such as character creation and development, we say things such as "As you WRITE your stories and develop your plots, you want to include scenes where you WRITE a blend of narration and dialogue to let the readers understand who your characters really are."
We we discuss conflict, we say things such as "Building the conflict in your story involves WRITING smaller scenes in the beginning that add to the growing tension. When you do finally WRITE that dark moment, the reader's emotions and senses are at the highest level."
When we discuss synopsis or query writing, we say things such as "You want to WRITE your query letter in a way that is effective and efficient. You don't want to WRITE a query letter that rambles on and on about nothing."
If I haven't given you enough hints here, then you probably don't have any business in publishing.
Writing a novel is not about following a template. It is not about reading some professional's blog and just copy what he or she did. It is about practice. It is about learning the craft and learning the hows and whys of everything you do with your story. It is about thinking as you write.
Every book you write will involve a different set of variable and demand a different approach. It is your job to think what the best approach would be for that story.
Along the same lines, every book you write will be part of the learning process. You should be paying attention to the things you do to make the stories better.
And those blogs and articles are giving you suggestions of things to consider when YOU WRITE your story. We are not writing these to write the story for you.
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