A Novel in a Year: From first page to last in 52 weeks

by: Louise Doughty

Published by: Harper Paperbacks

Reviewed by Sharron Stockhausen

Hundreds of books are written about writing. Most of them say similar things, but that’s not what’s important. What’s important is a book about writing connects with the writer within the reader.

Louise Doughty extracted A Novel in a Year from a year of columns (2006) she wrote for London’s Daily Telegraph. In the book’s introduction, Doughty admits it takes most writers three years to write a novel, but “A Novel in Three Years” didn’t make for a catchy book title. Her honesty is refreshing and offers credibility to the rest of her book.

Since the book originates in England, there are English conventions (single quotes versus the American double quotes, or the British spelling adding the u in favourite, for example) that make the reading bothersome and could have been easily changed for the American audience, but Doughty’s information overshadows those minor irritations.

Much of what Doughty writes is common sense (“Nobody can teach talent.”), trite (“There are no shortcuts.”), and sometimes just plain irritating (“Read.”). At first blush, it appears she offers little, if anything, new. But, look deeper. When you do, you’ll find her advice, encouragement, and writing exercises enlightening and motivating.

In addition to her narration, Doughty challenges the reader/writer with writing exercises—some are common, while some help the writer write authentically. In one exercise, she asks the writer to write about a time he/she was lost, which can foster all sorts of emotions, visuals, etc. Another exercise tells the writer to pick a section of the novel, do a word count, and cut the words at least 25 percent, which may rank among the most helpful exercises in the book.

An old quote says, “If writing were easy, more people would do it.” I agree. Doughty does her best to make writing a novel in 52 weeks easy. But it’s up to the writer to do it.

If you really want to write a novel, you can “hire” your own coach by getting A Novel in a Year, then staying with the 52-week program. Writing takes determination, but is worth the effort.

Armchair Interviews says: If you have always wanted to write a novel, check out this highly recommended book.

Author’s Web site: http://www.LouiseDoughty.com