Lynnette Novak, Literary Agent & Writing Coach

BAD writing advice: "If writing is hard, you should do something else." I'd never tell someone to quit writing if it's difficult for them. Struggling w/ your writing is VERY NORMAL. It means you're pushing yourself to get the best story out. #writingcommunity #writers #amwriting

@KGRussellwrites Love this!

@Lynnette_Novak A lot of authors defend their prose unto death. While I sometimes get emotionally attached to the writing, I wrote it once, I can write it again, or again, or even yet another time. If a change enhances the readers' experiences, I'm all in.

What's the hardest for you to write: beginnings, middles, endings. And why? #writingcommunity #writers #writinglife

@GregGolebiewski No. If you're writing horror, for example, but for whatever reason, you couldn't write it now, what other genre would you try writing? In other words, what would be your second favorite genre to write (even if you've never tried to write it yet)?

@Lynnette_Novak Do you mean: which formula would I use next?

If you couldn't write in your genre (for whatever reason), what genre would you write and why? #writingcommunity #amwriting #writers

@CamilleASinger They definitely take time and PATIENCE. lol

@Lynnette_Novak 😍😍 I LOVE these! They are so charming and I bet they were so fun to make. Miniatures will definitely be my *when I'm retired and have more time* hobby 😎

Why are you writing a book? There are no wrong answers. I'm just curious. #Writingcommunity #writers #amwriting #writinglife

@Elmer881992 hahaha

@Lynnette_Novak Endings. An appetizer and meal needs a delicious dessert.

@Worsel96 hahaha

@Lynnette_Novak For books I do some heavy outlining, save for the spots here and there where I make it Future Eric's problem to figure out. He loves that, as you might imagine.😄For short stories I tend to write on the fly and see what happens.

@MaryAnneFrostAU I'm glad you noticed and are working it out. :-)

@Lynnette_Novak I think I skipped the 'get to know your MC' part and just started writing my manuscript so now its a lot of editing. Still, it is coming together.

@JAGuynnAuthor hahaha

@Lynnette_Novak I usually refer to it as the soggy or swampy middle, yep.

@KGRussellwrites Excellent attitude!

@Lynnette_Novak Good question. I evaluate the new ideas and revise to suit any superior options that create a better narrative. Need to rework huge swatches to fit the change? Have at it. Better is better, and I see no need to preserve any idea, no matter how awesome, if another works better

@MaryAnneFrostAU That's interesting. Why do you think it's different this time around?

@Lynnette_Novak Usually middles but I find it that in my current WIP it is the beginning. Trying to clarify MCs goal and emotional wound is taking a lot longer than I would have liked.

@CaraBristol Wow! That's a lot of book. Way to go! Do you plot or pants?

@Lynnette_Novak The middle. After 75+ books, still the middle. I'm always energized to start a new idea, and the end is the payoff. Getting from the beginning to the end is the challenge.

@DymockJohnson Yes. Many people struggle with that. Just know that there's a fairly good chance the publisher will change the title, so it doesn't have to be perfect.

@Lynnette_Novak The damn title.

@Shyamala_Shan Yes. It's hard to know if you've nailed it without having other eyes on it (like critique partners or beta readers).

@Lynnette_Novak The middle ...building the tension and wondering if it is landing well...

@obellhighland LOL It can sometimes be hard to wrap it up.

@Lynnette_Novak Definitely the ending. Oh gosh that ending took a while 😀

@Chriswrites4JC Interesting. You're the first person to give that answer. I totally understand how you feel, though.

@Lynnette_Novak The ending where I have been in such a relationship with my characters that I just want to keep going and going when I should be wrapping it up.

@KrisRayAuthor They can be tough to nail and often take multiple tries.

@Lynnette_Novak Based on the number of times I've rewritten page one, I'm gonna go with beginnings. 😃

@marie_grime That's often what has to be done to get it right. :-)

@Lynnette_Novak Beginnings. I usually change them several times b4 I start querying.

@JAGuynnAuthor Ah, the infamous saggy middle. You are not alone!

@Lynnette_Novak Middles. It always feels like the story slows to a crawl.

@KristinaKing121 I hear you. Do you have an outline or do you figure it out as you go?

@Lynnette_Novak Middles. That's where all the threads have to stay moving at once. Character arcs, pacing, clues, tension, and consequences all have to keep building without feeling repetitive. When it works, it's incredibly satisfying, but getting there can be a puzzle.