A Novelist's Handbook

What does it take to go beyond the ordinary and enter that special realm that elevates a written work? These famous writers have some insights. Numerous publications discuss the craft of writing, describing literary strategies, character development, narrative devices, story pacing, and other elements. However, fewer books explore the core of writing. What does it take to go above and beyond the norm and enter that unique space where a written work is elevated to a memorable experience, one that endures through repeated readings and leaves a mark that lasts a lifetime? I've gathered advice and motivational sayings from a few of my favorite writers who are (or have been) masters of the craft of writing and at the pinnacle of their profession. It's interesting to notice that they face many of the same obstacles and reservations that we do when starting a project, whether it's a short story, novel, or essay. Margaret Atwood — Writing motivated by a fear of death Readers are in