Thread: When Do You Know You're Ready...

To start writing a full-length novel? I've only written short stories but I can never think of good ideas for short stories. I don't know if putting the effort into a novel would be any better. I guess I won't know unless I try, but still. How do you know you're ready to work on a novel?

I'll know I'm ready when I don't lose interest around 10-15,000 words.

When Do You Know You're Ready...

Asked.

I guess I won't know unless I try...

And answered.

Originally Posted by Leyline

I'll know I'm ready when I don't lose interest around 10-15,000 words.

This.

Although Joe is correct as well.

You don't. I'm not sure you can ever be ready to write that much. I've written a fanfic that was over 127,000 words, does that mean I can write a novel?

Not at all. All it means is that I can put together a story that has alot of detail, some, maybe even half, of which would certainly be cut if it was a novel, to just connect it, as it rather episodic.

All you can do is try, as has been said before.

Now.

Let me ask you a converse question: How do you know you're not ready to write a novel?

The only way you'll find out is by starting. I don't think there's a certain period in your life where you're "ready" to write a novel.

Oh, I've tried and tried,myself. But, like I said, I lose interest aound 10-15,000 words. In two cases I have forced myself to continue and ended up with two pretty terrible, confused, mostly ugly manuscripts. Both would take massive re-writing to even be considered readable first drafts.

But that's me. I'm just not a novelist, I think. I've tried (and will no doubt try again) because of pressure both from myself (wanting to make some money from my time consuming obsession) and others (who constantly ask "When are you going to stop playing around with these short stories and write a real book?")

Maybe if I try hard enough, enough times, something will click and I'll produce something good. Only time will tell.

But you'll never know until you try. And it won't hurt a bit to try.

Originally Posted by Sam W

Let me ask you a converse question: How do you know you're not ready to write a novel?

Fantastic point, Sam.

When you get an idea and you keep writing in it, until before you know it, you have a full length novel. It all really depends on when inspiration hits and if it really keeps going.

Li Li

Originally Posted by ThePinkBookworm

When you get an idea and you keep writing in it, until before you know it, you have a full length novel. It all really depends on when inspiration hits and if it really keeps going.

Li Li

More discipline and less inspiration. Inspiration may be enough to carry you through a short story, but you’ll have trouble with novels if you don’t have the discipline.

Originally Posted by Ilasir Maroa

More discipline and less inspiration. Inspiration may be enough to carry you through a short story, but you’ll have trouble with novels if you don’t have the discipline.

This.

Inspiration's all well and good when it hits. When it doesn't, that's where discipline carries you across the finish line.

I'd say you aren't getting any younger. Don't delay.

I started my writing with a full length one. Took me three years to finish the draft but I got there.