Learn How to Write Novels by Reading Them

It is impossible to learn how to write novels if you don't also love to read fiction. More than that, you can't learn to write specific Types of Novels - literary fiction or westerns, say - if you don't read that specific genre of fiction for pleasure.

Learning the "rules" of writing novels is important - crucial, in fact - but seeing those rules in action by reading published novels in your chosen category of fiction is more crucial still.

This article is split into two parts:

• First, I will discuss the 3 reasons why it is important to read novels.
• Second, I will look at precisely how a writer should read fiction.

1. Why Reading Novels is Important

Learning the Craft of How to Write Novels

You have all heard of the art and craft of novel writing. We will be looking at the art part in a moment, but first the craft...

The craft simply means the knowledge, or technical know-how, necessary to build a plot, to bring fictional characters to life, to handle point of view, and so on.

The whole point of this website is to teach you the craft of novel writing. But like I said above, seeing the theory in action, as it were, by reading published novels, is invaluable in your development as a writer.

• Want to learn how to write novels with a compelling plot? The information at Novel Writing Help will teach you all you need to know, but to see it in practice simply read a novel with a great plot and analyze it like a scientist.

• Want to learn how to write novels featuring characters your readers will love? First read all the articles here on characterization, then pick a favorite novel featuring a lovable character and study it to discover how the writer achieved that lovability.

• Unsure how to handle a third person multiple viewpoint novel, or a first person narrative written in the present tense? First learn the theory, then find a published novel which uses that narrative technique and pick the technique apart.

Learning the Art of How to Write Novels

To some extent, you will either have a talent for the art of writing fiction or you won't. But the chances are you wouldn't have turned to fiction writing in the first place if you didn't.

To be more specific, you need a talent for stringing words and sentences together in such a way that they acquire a kind of musical rhythm. And you need an artistic sensibility, or a way of putting together characters and events to make a story, and having that story move people and somehow be about more than just an account of what happens and to whom.

Now, most people are born with at least something of an artistic streak, but most people also need to find a way to tap into their gift. And when it comes to learning the art of novel writing, you can nurture your own artistic sensibility by reading good novels and simply "absorbing" the art subconsciously.

And learning how to write novels without having to think about it has got to be the easiest way of learning there is!