Books Quote by John Irving

Before I begin a novel I have a strong sense of at least one central character and how the story begins, and a more…

— Steve Erickson

The process of writing a novel is like taking a journey by boat. You have to continually set yourself on course. If you get…

— Walter Mosley

When I start writing a novel, I have no sense of direction, no idea, really nothing.

— William Gibson

When you get ready to write your novel, outline it first. There's nothing worse than getting halfway through and realizing you've painted yourself in…

— Janet Evanovich

When I start, I have a feeling for the characters, and maybe the shape of the story. Sometimes I might even have the last…

— Paul Auster

I never outline my novels before I write. I do have a vague sense of beginning, middle, and end at the outset of each…

— Emily Giffin

Writing a novel isn't like building a brick wall. You don't figure out how to do it, and then it gets easier each time…

— Kate DiCamillo

You learn to write by writing, and by reading and thinking about how writers have created their characters and invented their stories. If you…

— Jean M. Auel

Writing is akin to method acting. Before the writer can render a fully convincing world, he or she must inhabit that world, and every…

— Richard North Patterson

Often what happens with the writing is that you know where you want to start and you know where you want to end, but…

— Chris Chibnall

Notice how every science fiction movie or television show starts with a shot of the location where the story is about to occur. Movies…

— David Gerrold

No one knows how to write a novel until it's been written

— Alice Hoffman