Under a Maple Tree
A.T. Armada on Writing the Novel

I embark on this essay as if I stand before a gaggle of aspiring novelists gathered under a broad-leafed maple tree, hooping what I say might spark a genius within them. To their likely disappointment, I would say, don’t look to me or anyone else for how to write the novel. Follow your own north star.

I would tell them, do not look to me for what I have to offer. Listen closely for what I cannot offer. I cannot offer discipline, conventional practices, good writing techniques, or strategies for planning out a story that captivates the reader. A writer must accomplish all that with his own devices. He best try to do it his or her way.

As some of these would-be novelists begin wondering if they should stick around listening further to someone who has as little to offer as I do, I would then tell them of a great college professor who broke down each classroom lesson by distilling the day’s material into three clear-cut points. Following that lead, I will break down all I have to offer into three distinctive points as well.

The first point: write only what you are inspired to write. With inspiration comes passion, and that passion will carry you with the force of a wind in a storm. Some novelists may believe the best practice is to create a detailed outline of the characters and plot. For me, that process would preempt and curtail spontaneous creativity and storytelling. For me, writing a story is an adventure. Not knowing what may come next is part of the thrill. A little premeditation can be good, and having an arc to the story in mind can be a propelling force, but too much planning can still the wind in your sails.

Point two: follow the story and characters that spring from your head. They need no legitimization but that they sprang from your own mind.

Point three: wield the storyteller’s greatest tool there is: the reader’s imagination. The mind of the writer will be filled with words and excitement, but story and character mushroom in the imagination of the reader. This is the writer’s most powerful tool. You can lead the reader’s mind, but be careful of over-writing and stifling your partner in this enterprise.

That’s it. If I had anything more worthwhile to share, I’d be a rich writer, and stingy.