The most common problem *most* people encounter when attempting their first novel project is failing to realize that even a short novel is a f***ing long endeavor.

Too many writers rush in and try to get to the good stuff too quickly. Now, I'm not saying you shouldn't have interesting things happening from the beginning, but don't go and blow it all in the opening sentences.

Writing a novel is like dating. If you want it to be a "proper" one, you've got to take it slow. No kissing on the first date and definitely no getting naked while you're still on the dance floor.

Now, some will take this analogy and say that "quickies" can be fun too. But most of us aren't writing pamphlets. (Mokele's standing behind me with murder in his eyes... isn't he? ) Seriously though, I'm not talking about length (great books come in all sizes)... I'm talking about pacing.

So here's another analogy: Dinner. A wonderful experience... but not if it's just food and eating. Dinners are fun because of the friendships, the conversation, the laughter (and maybe tears), the atmosphere of the restaurant... If it was just a serving of food, then it wouldn't be any fun at all.

Sure, the purpose of the event is nourishment. But it's not fun until you throw in all the things that are outside of that "plot". The stuff that some people would call "unimportant fluff" is the very stuff that makes it all worthwhile. Otherwise we just stuff our faces and leave. Not a memorable event.

Same with a novel... let your reader be seated at the table and enjoy the spirit of the story as it unfolds... don't just shove food (plot) in their face and say, "Eat it... it's good."

Take your time and ease into your story. Make it interesting, capture your readers attention, but remember that you have a truckload of word count to actually get it told, so there's no hurry.

But, at the same time, don't serve so many "appetizer" courses that the reader is full by the time they get to the main course. If you hand your reader too many unimportant fillers beforehand, they will be bored long before your story gets moving.

That's the bad thing about using analogies to make a point...

There's always going to be some A**hole who will come along with a better one...

Damn you Mornara!

I'm already damned darling, you're getting redundant here.

Oh wait, you already were redundant.

It's a good analogy though, and if you look at it, I was actually agreeing with you, and furthering the analogy. So stop whining, and go make more adorable little analogies for me to play with!

Mornara, its not nice to make fun of Fiffy...


And just so my post isn't entirely off topic.

My view on the matter is that jumping into things too fast is something a more inexperienced writer does. Even if you do make that mistake, though, it isn't the end of the world. Go back while you are editing and fix it. I know that it's something I have work on myself.

I would agree with FW on the longer approach, however some of the sub plots work nicely as "Quickies". The longer approach give you lots of time to give out tidbits of information about the world, characters, and hints of anythign that leads to the climax of the story. The sub plots just flavor the soup so to speak.

I like to think of characters like someone you meet on the bus. I think it would turn you off if that person launched into a detailed account of thier life the first time you sat next to them. Instead, a good character will give out pieces of information, a little at a time, so that eventually you see the entire complex whole. Over time, you sit next to them, to see what you can find out, and eventually find youself enjoying taking your seat in the morning.

Hopefully I can sucessfully throw them in so that they compliment the plot line instead of throwing it into a knot.