A few guiding principles are operating while I’m drafting a
novel. These aren’t overt. They don’t sit at the forefront of my consciousness.
They run quietly and almost invisibly in the background while I’m doing my
work. Here they are, in no particular order:
1)
I want to make this story interesting to me. I figure I’m a lot like other
people—if I find it intriguing/engaging, other folks might be interested, as
well.
2)
I want to empathize so deeply with my characters that I can understand why they
do what they do (even when I’m appalled by their actions).
3)
I want to love all my characters. (see # 2)
4)
I need to create dramatic scenes (with temporal action and dialogue) as well as
narrative summary.
5)
Usually I get lost in the story before I get found again and figure out exactly
how the story will unfold. Getting lost is good! For one thing, it means that the
story has put its spell on me.
6)
I shouldn’t be afraid of what’s odd, weird, or different about my story, how it
departs from the conventional. Most memorable art has something odd/unusual at
its core.
