Essential Guide to Writing a Novel

We can show (as opposed to tell) about a character's personality by describing the character's face and body, so that our physical description does double duty.  Jonathan Franzen's ten rules of writing.  And techniques to add atmosphere to our scenes.

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In our novel should we leave plot questions unanswered so we have compelling questions for a sequel?   Here are thoughts on how we can approach it.  Also, Hilary Mantel's ten rules of writing, how Anne Rice worked, and techniques for writing in the active voice.

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Why do readers put down a novel for good before they reach the last page?  Here is a reason, maybe the main reason, and how we writers can avoid it.  Also, examples of failed showing, as opposed to telling.  And Margaret Atwood's rules of writing.

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Here is a list of the top ten writing techniques in order of their importance, as best I can figure them out.  Also, good comments from a book coach.  And Zadie Smith's rules of writing.

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Here are Kurt Vonnegut's eight rules of writing.  Also, why reading an Andy Weir novel is such a good writing lesson.  And; character descriptions should do double duty.  Here is how, with examples from legendary writers.

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Here is a scene with a strong plot point important to our story.  It should be powerful but it isn't because of technical mistakes in the writing.  Can we spot the mistakes?  Also, George Orwell's six rules of writing.  And a review of how and why to avoid filters.

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What if we get the sense that our story is a trope, that the plot is a cliche, that it's been done before?  Here are thoughts on cliched stories.  Also, Christopher Vogler's twelve steps for plotting our story.

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Classic novelists knew the strong technique regarding plotting and it's a terrific lesson for us: go big or go home.  And what if we want to ignore a proven technique?  And: thoughts on a character's stream of consciousness thinking.  Also, how to avoid overthinking our writing project.

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When can a book coach help us and when can a coach not help us?  Here are thoughts on book coaches.  Also, the master George Orwell on describing a character.  Plus, improving our sentence-by-sentence writing by 1) showing, 2) offering details, and 3) avoiding summary words: three big techniques in one.

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Sometimes we don't need to use the standard and strong writing technique, and we can deviate from the proven technique.  When?  We'll talk about it here.  And here are some fun writing quotes.  Also, an example of how interior monologue deadens a scene, and how to change it to a scene that will engage and entertain the reader.  

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