However, I don’t agree that authors should wander around aimlessly trying to figure out what to write, scrapping tons and tons of stuff. While I did some of that for my “first novel” it’s the process of learning what works for you, how you can plot a good story (whether on the fly or in advance), what you care about in a novel, etc. For a first time novelist, that is a daunting task. Courses like the one at (link to commercial site deleted) can make that much easier.

jb says: Sorry, Lonnie; you made a good stab at promoting the course, but advertising isn’t allowed on this site.
There may be, somewhere, unknown to me, a reasonable course from which beginning writers would benefit. But in many long years of writing, after publishing nine novels myself, and talking frankly and openly with other writers, I have still never discovered one.

First, what a great website, second, thanks.

I have been pondering over doing a novel for years and years. Have started but gave up as i really dont know how to structure, or even where to begin.

I always fail to plan, and as they say, failure to plan is planning to fail.

I think all this info will really help, so a big thanks

jb says: This is exactly what I needed to hear, Jeff. Good luck with the novel.

jb says: When I say ‘pay-off’, I’m using it as a metaphor for that moment of enlightenment. I didn’t mean any kind of material reward.

Even if it takes you many bad writings to get to a little bit of real writing, it’s worth it, the feeling and the writing. (Not that I’ve written ten novels, good or bad, mind you. )

jb says: I think you’re talking about the pay-off, tali2. But you’re right; none of that ever comes about unless you write in the first place. Writers write. That’s what they do. If they don’t write they’re not writers.

jb says: Thanks for the comment, Brad. You might also like some of the pieces in my Writer’s Notebook series.

jb says: Because it’s so daunting we discover displaced activities. I think it was Ted Hughes said something along these lines:

A block is when we can’t get through to the real thing. Many writers write a great deal, but very few write more than a very little of the real thing. So most writing must be displaced activity. When cockerels confront each other and daren’t fight, they busily start pecking imaginary grains off to the side. That’s displaced activity. Much of what we do is a bit like that, I fancy. But it’s hard to know which is which.