My brand of that is telling my editor, “So that novel that was definitely a standalone … I think it’s actually a trilogy” and, “How would you feel about a spinoff novella? I seem to be writing it …”
Anyway, I don’t think getting it wrong is a bad thing. Stories are alive, after all.
I don't write serial fiction, but I find your newsletter is supremely helpful for writing serial *anything*. I came to you for advice when considering serializing my sequel to my memoir, and now I've released Chapter 6! As you said, committing to the serial format got me off my figurative duff of thinking about that completed [albeit VERY bad] first draft of 3 years ago and actually publishing it. Now I'm excited about each week and polishing each new chapter. I was definitely NOT excited about polishing that entire book. There's something to be said for baby steps and that sense of accomplishment. (P.S. - your sense of humor also keeps me coming back.)
I share your grumble about the "Write every day" advice. Even if my life were free enough from other responsibilities to actually pull it off, giving my stories space to breathe and speak is productive. Often, my most productive writing time is when I'm not writing. :) I also find that moving my body and just being quiet for a while--e.g., going for a walk and NOT listening to a podcast for a change--is very useful. I've punched through many a story problem this way. Though, in favor of the "write every day" mantra, I will say that when I'm writing *almost* every day, the voice in my brain that says things like, "You're not a writer. Who do you think you are?" is much less active! There's a balance somewhere in there.
Also agree about the "write every day" wisdom. On the days I'm not writing, I'm editing in my head! Those are the days I come up with the best analogies, the best rephrasings, the best restructurings, the best overall ideas for new starts. We need days to refresh. I think they call it "touch grass."
I’ve been paying close attention to how you build and sustain a long-form serial, and what stayed with me here was the honesty about misjudging the shape of the work. That feels like one of those lessons no craft book can fully teach. You only learn it by watching someone wrestle with the form in public.
Just want to say that I resonate heavily with point 6. I'd always imagined myself as a novelist, but I struggled to actually finish any books. I have one book that's maybe 95% done? And I could crank out the last chapter, run it through with edits, but I don't believe the work is my current best. And then I have 2 books that are not even halfway done that I'm probably never going to finish. And don't even get me started on all my false starts: I've written more than my fair share of chapter ones.
But sitting down one day and just committing to an online serial has totally changed everything. I have written, edited, and published one chapter a week consistently for the past three months. I know that in the long run, that's a short amount of time. Can I keep this pace up for a whole year? For three? Five?
I don't know. But for now, I'm writing, and writing more than ever. Thank you. Your substack was one of the first ones I ever saw, too. You don't know me, but your work encouraged and motivated me to write mine. So again, thank you.
Regarding the UK social media ban, one unintended consequence (particularly with the strange inclusion of YouTube) is that young teenagers and children will be deprived of the opportunity to learn. I can't help feeling that the adults in the room (as parents, lawmakers etc ) are reacting far too late, or not at all, and whose own habits are hardly setting the best examples.
Heartily agree with point #5. Giving your brain time to subconsciously forge a good path through a story is more beneficial than turning out words for plot's sake that just weaves about or fudges things.
My brand of that is telling my editor, “So that novel that was definitely a standalone … I think it’s actually a trilogy” and, “How would you feel about a spinoff novella? I seem to be writing it …”
Anyway, I don’t think getting it wrong is a bad thing. Stories are alive, after all.
I don't write serial fiction, but I find your newsletter is supremely helpful for writing serial *anything*. I came to you for advice when considering serializing my sequel to my memoir, and now I've released Chapter 6! As you said, committing to the serial format got me off my figurative duff of thinking about that completed [albeit VERY bad] first draft of 3 years ago and actually publishing it. Now I'm excited about each week and polishing each new chapter. I was definitely NOT excited about polishing that entire book. There's something to be said for baby steps and that sense of accomplishment. (P.S. - your sense of humor also keeps me coming back.)
I share your grumble about the "Write every day" advice. Even if my life were free enough from other responsibilities to actually pull it off, giving my stories space to breathe and speak is productive. Often, my most productive writing time is when I'm not writing. :) I also find that moving my body and just being quiet for a while--e.g., going for a walk and NOT listening to a podcast for a change--is very useful. I've punched through many a story problem this way. Though, in favor of the "write every day" mantra, I will say that when I'm writing *almost* every day, the voice in my brain that says things like, "You're not a writer. Who do you think you are?" is much less active! There's a balance somewhere in there.
Also agree about the "write every day" wisdom. On the days I'm not writing, I'm editing in my head! Those are the days I come up with the best analogies, the best rephrasings, the best restructurings, the best overall ideas for new starts. We need days to refresh. I think they call it "touch grass."
I read the I'm not entirely incompetent heading and laughed 😂
Bonus chapters - brilliant idea! I'm writing a serial and getting weighed down in some of the planning, so I might borrow your idea.
I'm excited about the new serial. Will you do a countdown to the first chapter?
I will definitely start yammering about it more once it gets closer!
Good stuff! Looking forward to The Mechanical Crown!!
I’ve been paying close attention to how you build and sustain a long-form serial, and what stayed with me here was the honesty about misjudging the shape of the work. That feels like one of those lessons no craft book can fully teach. You only learn it by watching someone wrestle with the form in public.
Just want to say that I resonate heavily with point 6. I'd always imagined myself as a novelist, but I struggled to actually finish any books. I have one book that's maybe 95% done? And I could crank out the last chapter, run it through with edits, but I don't believe the work is my current best. And then I have 2 books that are not even halfway done that I'm probably never going to finish. And don't even get me started on all my false starts: I've written more than my fair share of chapter ones.
But sitting down one day and just committing to an online serial has totally changed everything. I have written, edited, and published one chapter a week consistently for the past three months. I know that in the long run, that's a short amount of time. Can I keep this pace up for a whole year? For three? Five?
I don't know. But for now, I'm writing, and writing more than ever. Thank you. Your substack was one of the first ones I ever saw, too. You don't know me, but your work encouraged and motivated me to write mine. So again, thank you.
Regarding the UK social media ban, one unintended consequence (particularly with the strange inclusion of YouTube) is that young teenagers and children will be deprived of the opportunity to learn. I can't help feeling that the adults in the room (as parents, lawmakers etc ) are reacting far too late, or not at all, and whose own habits are hardly setting the best examples.
Heartily agree with point #5. Giving your brain time to subconsciously forge a good path through a story is more beneficial than turning out words for plot's sake that just weaves about or fudges things.
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