Thanks for this great advice which seems particularly excellent for anyone who has to write about what they don't know because they didn't go there and also if they are a panser and need to write in the moment (which is a double curse). And the greatest gift of a first novel is its tacit promise that it is always possible to think of something more to happen a second novel. Your first novel is a self immunization against the I can't think of anything more that can happen self doubt. Even if it turned out not as good as you wanted it to be. There is pro-life thought and also pro-thought or pro-more thought which is pro-life for one's novel, which is totally unthinkable unless you just be bold and do it anyway, like pansers. I never met Sonny Mehta (though I saw him sitting in a chair at a prominent Indian client's book launch). He seems like he was always a very generous editor and very generous human being. Thanks so much for passing along to us a very generous pro-life for more life in a novel advice from a very generous excellent editor.
I loved this. I think there's something comforting about the subtraction part of editing: it's pretty easy to make a sentence clean, to make a chapter end sooner (and better), to liven things up by getting into the story later. It's more difficult by far to do meaningful addition.
When I'm writing, I'm always thinking, "What more can I throw at the character? What can I put her through?" Then, reading the first or third or fifth draft, if it seems to lag in the middle, it often means I just haven't put her through enough. More has to happen. It has to get worse, or...snooze. This post is such a clear-sighted explanation of that process.
I've read all of your books and the minute I heard about The Doorman I ran to the Library to reserve a copy. Grisham's note on the cover regarding the fully realized characters in addition to the strong plot, says all that needs to be said. But because you say that you want encouragement from readers, I'll bite.
Speaking of characters, you even made Jennifer a real person despite the scant time we spend with her. Her therapy session and the final confrontation with Emily tell us almost all we need to know.
Three other things. I loved the prologue, which prefigures everything and spoils nothing. And Chicky's meditation at the end on decisions forgone. You have to wonder, if Chicky hadn't taken the night shift -- or if Julian had hired additional security. Or...
And then Whit. It's not just that he thought that his business success made him invincible. He also thought that his success entitled him to believe that no one else's feelings mattered, that all other people are "non player characters." Where else do we see that kind of thing??
I just finished The Doorman. So good. I could not put it down..... Your character development, plot twists, suspense, and overall narrative were all really GREAT!! Can't wait for your next book, hopefully you're already working on it 😀
Love this advice. I’m a sucker any time someone who’s written a few books provides advice that cuts against cliche. For every 10x we hear cut, trim, edit, less is more, there’s the rarer case someone makes about what should be added. Excellent explanation of the difference in the creative process and how the first “half” you’re making the story bigger/better and it’s in the back half you make it less bad. Sincere thanks for sharing all of this.
Interesting post about the process of writing a book. I’m not a writer but am a big reader. A book has to grab me almost immediately for me to continue reading it. Yours do that. I started with The Expats which I loved and am now reading The Doorman. Great books! Thank you for all of them!
Such great information. The vagueness and specificity of that note puts you in the driver's seat. The agony of not being told what to fix seems a great place for discovery.
Chris, I just finished The Doorman! Wow! Wow! Wow! As with all your novels, I look forward to the next one! The characters are memorable; the plots are teasingly suspenseful. So glad you became an author.
I'm very genuinely enjoying this series of posts giving insight to the process of writing and publishing ... it could even be worth compiling into your own book "on writing" (to steal Stephen King's title) -- as a guy who has always felt the drive to write a novel but never finished one (yet) I appreciate your efforts on this very much and am learning from your lessons!
Thanks for this great advice which seems particularly excellent for anyone who has to write about what they don't know because they didn't go there and also if they are a panser and need to write in the moment (which is a double curse). And the greatest gift of a first novel is its tacit promise that it is always possible to think of something more to happen a second novel. Your first novel is a self immunization against the I can't think of anything more that can happen self doubt. Even if it turned out not as good as you wanted it to be. There is pro-life thought and also pro-thought or pro-more thought which is pro-life for one's novel, which is totally unthinkable unless you just be bold and do it anyway, like pansers. I never met Sonny Mehta (though I saw him sitting in a chair at a prominent Indian client's book launch). He seems like he was always a very generous editor and very generous human being. Thanks so much for passing along to us a very generous pro-life for more life in a novel advice from a very generous excellent editor.
I loved this. I think there's something comforting about the subtraction part of editing: it's pretty easy to make a sentence clean, to make a chapter end sooner (and better), to liven things up by getting into the story later. It's more difficult by far to do meaningful addition.
When I'm writing, I'm always thinking, "What more can I throw at the character? What can I put her through?" Then, reading the first or third or fifth draft, if it seems to lag in the middle, it often means I just haven't put her through enough. More has to happen. It has to get worse, or...snooze. This post is such a clear-sighted explanation of that process.
This is so helpful. Even for non-fiction, I think. Thanks, Chris!
Thank you so much Rebecca!
I've read all of your books and the minute I heard about The Doorman I ran to the Library to reserve a copy. Grisham's note on the cover regarding the fully realized characters in addition to the strong plot, says all that needs to be said. But because you say that you want encouragement from readers, I'll bite.
Speaking of characters, you even made Jennifer a real person despite the scant time we spend with her. Her therapy session and the final confrontation with Emily tell us almost all we need to know.
Three other things. I loved the prologue, which prefigures everything and spoils nothing. And Chicky's meditation at the end on decisions forgone. You have to wonder, if Chicky hadn't taken the night shift -- or if Julian had hired additional security. Or...
And then Whit. It's not just that he thought that his business success made him invincible. He also thought that his success entitled him to believe that no one else's feelings mattered, that all other people are "non player characters." Where else do we see that kind of thing??
One great read. Thank you!
Thank you so much! I really do appreciate it.
Holy shit, you wrote The Expats!
I did!
I just finished The Doorman. So good. I could not put it down..... Your character development, plot twists, suspense, and overall narrative were all really GREAT!! Can't wait for your next book, hopefully you're already working on it 😀
Thank you so much Lauren! I really appreciate it.
So helpful as I work through writing my first book. I got similar feedback on not enough action. Thank you!
Wow. This was so thought provoking. Thank you. (And it made me want to pick up your book!)
Thank you!
Love this advice. I’m a sucker any time someone who’s written a few books provides advice that cuts against cliche. For every 10x we hear cut, trim, edit, less is more, there’s the rarer case someone makes about what should be added. Excellent explanation of the difference in the creative process and how the first “half” you’re making the story bigger/better and it’s in the back half you make it less bad. Sincere thanks for sharing all of this.
Thank you so much!
Interesting post about the process of writing a book. I’m not a writer but am a big reader. A book has to grab me almost immediately for me to continue reading it. Yours do that. I started with The Expats which I loved and am now reading The Doorman. Great books! Thank you for all of them!
Thank you Eileen!
Such great information. The vagueness and specificity of that note puts you in the driver's seat. The agony of not being told what to fix seems a great place for discovery.
Agony! Yes.
Interesting, helpful post!
Excellent post. Thanks, Chris!
Thanks!
Chris, I just finished The Doorman! Wow! Wow! Wow! As with all your novels, I look forward to the next one! The characters are memorable; the plots are teasingly suspenseful. So glad you became an author.
Thank you so much Margaret!
Chris, I'm loving these posts! So inside and constructive. Thanks for the effort and the elegance of the writing.
Thank you!
I'm very genuinely enjoying this series of posts giving insight to the process of writing and publishing ... it could even be worth compiling into your own book "on writing" (to steal Stephen King's title) -- as a guy who has always felt the drive to write a novel but never finished one (yet) I appreciate your efforts on this very much and am learning from your lessons!
Thank you so much!