Tuesday, November 3, 2009

December is National Novel Criticism Month

I know at least one of my readers is writing a novel this month, and more of you may be doing so. (I'm not, largely because I can only come up with a two-paragraph plot summary, and I'd have to futz around for 40,000 words to get from the setup to the conclusion.)

Anyway, here's an essay by George Eliot entitled "Silly Novels by Lady Novelists," the point of which applies to most first-time novelists, be they lady or gentleman. Namely, novels that are written as your wish fulfillment fantasy are not going to be any good, and perfect heroes are boring.

No comments: