I’ve drafted several novels over the past few years, and one thing I’ve learned is that writing them is hard work. Really hard work. My writer friends assure me that my efforts will not go to waste. With each story I draft, I’m learning about the craft and I’m growing and maturing as a writer.
If you’ve ever attempted to write one yourself, you know how daunting it can be. There’s so much to learn. That’s why so many aspiring novelists give up and why many unfinished manuscripts land in the garbage bin.
But instead of throwing away those half-finished manuscripts, maybe what’s needed is a shift in perspective. Rather than call them a wasted effort, call them practice novels.
I first heard that term “practice novel” several years ago at a writing panel discussion. One of the panelists described how she had been working on a particular story for months before deciding it wasn’t working, so she tucked it away into a drawer and began working on another story, which did eventually get published.
Practice novels are experimental manuscripts. They allow you to test out different story ideas and scenes and help you develop your story development process. It may never see the light of day, but may simply give you the skills and confidence you need to move forward with other projects that may get published.
Think of a practice novel as the opening act to the concert headliner or the appetizer before the main course. It whets your appetite to see what’s next.
There are several specific ways that practice novels can help your writing.
* Practice novels are ideal starting points for beginning writers.
Many beginning novelists have no previous writing experience or have never published anything. Others might have earned a degree through an MFA program, but are still writing with the training wheels on. Practice novels can help beginning writers learn the art of storytelling, everything from plot structure, dialogue, character development, tension and conflict. You learn as you go, learning from mistakes, picking up helpful tips from other writers or by taking workshops. It’s a piecemeal process and a lengthy one. There are no short cuts. You could work on one practice novel for several months or years, but the time and effort is never wasted because you are continually learning and honing your craft.
* Practice novels help you develop good writing habits.
Drafting the practice novel helps you set goals for yourself and solve storytelling problems. You might pay more attention to how you think and feel, which aids in creating interiority for your characters. You may pay more attention to the world around you, observe others’ behavior, eavesdrop on peoples’ conversations and pay more attention to scenic details, like the exact color of the sky or how the leaves of the trees blow in the breeze. As you create your characters, you observe the world through their eyes or you may become more curious about what makes people tick. Practice novels enable you to notice your strengths and weaknesses as a writer, and what skills you need to develop.
* Practice novels enable you to test out different genres and story ideas.
If you read a variety of genres, it’s only natural you want to experiment with each of those styles of writing. Perhaps you’re a fan of both romantic suspense and cozy mysteries, for example. While the two share common elements, there are also significant differences in the ways the stories develop. Practice novels enable you to experiment with both genres before deciding which one works best for your personal writing style and that particular story idea.
* Practice novels may never get published, but parts of them can be – later.
The whole manuscript may not be ready for publication, but there might be certain scenes or characters that can be integrated into other projects that will eventually get published. Which is why it’s not prudent to toss away a practice novel. You never know if a scene or character inspires a new story idea that does turn into a publishable work. The work you do on a practice novel is never wasted when parts of it can be used in future works.
* Practice novels can help you stick to a writing routine.
When you know you’re working toward a specific goal, like completing a novel, it’s easier to stay motivated to write every day (or almost every day). It’s also easier to find time to write, no matter how busy you are because you are immersed in your work.
If practice novels seem too big of a goal to pursue, try writing short stories instead. You can still hone your craft and learn the basics of creative writing, such as plot development, character arcs and pacing. By submitting your work to an editor or critique group, you’ll get feedback sooner, so you know whether your story idea is worth the effort.
Writing a practice novel can lay the groundwork for future success while helping you work out the kinks of your writing process. If you harbor any doubts or questions about your abilities, the practice novel can usually answer them. Furthermore, the time you put into them is never wasted because you can adapt pieces of it for other projects.
Whether the novel you’re working on is published or not, just completing a draft and writing “The End” is something worth celebrating.
The Regal Writer 