Hannah
asked
Katherine Arden:
I just want to say thank you with all my heart. You have created something magical with The Winternight Trilogy. I don't think I have ever read anything so richly developed, and I cannot wait to see what comes next for Vasya and Solovey! Do you have any advice for developing these rich worlds and characters without losing the plot? And do you have any tips in general for new writers? Again, thank you for the magic.
Katherine Arden
You are welcome.
To answer your question: I think it's important for writers to do a lot of looking and a lot of listening. Gather impressions from the world around you, listen when people talk, read good books and think about what the authors are saying.
Keep all that in mind when you're writing a book. But also keep in mind that if a description doesn't serve the plot, then it has to go. Everything: every instant of characterization and every description has to serve the plot in some way. You can't keep pretty words just for the sake of them.
But my biggest tip for a new writer would be: finish what you start.
FINISH WHAT YOU START.
Starting a book is mildly educational, finishing one is revelatory. Even if your first novel never sees the light of day, write the whole thing from start to finish. You'll learn a ton.
To answer your question: I think it's important for writers to do a lot of looking and a lot of listening. Gather impressions from the world around you, listen when people talk, read good books and think about what the authors are saying.
Keep all that in mind when you're writing a book. But also keep in mind that if a description doesn't serve the plot, then it has to go. Everything: every instant of characterization and every description has to serve the plot in some way. You can't keep pretty words just for the sake of them.
But my biggest tip for a new writer would be: finish what you start.
FINISH WHAT YOU START.
Starting a book is mildly educational, finishing one is revelatory. Even if your first novel never sees the light of day, write the whole thing from start to finish. You'll learn a ton.
More Answered Questions
Picasso
asked
Katherine Arden:
Hi is The Bear and the Nightingale being translated to any languages (say German?).
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