Writing Questions
Fiction Writing Questions Answered
These are the questions writers ask when a story gets foggy, a draft starts fighting back, or the path to querying feels too big to hold alone. Story Salon answers them with human book coaching judgment: structure first, revision with a plan, and no vague cheerleading.
Stage 1: Is my idea worth writing
- how do I know if my novel idea is good enough to write
- what makes a fiction premise strong enough to sustain a whole novel
- how do I know if my story has been done before
- is my novel idea too similar to an existing book
- how do I choose between two novel ideas I love equally
- what is the difference between a premise and a plot
- how do I know if my story has enough conflict to carry a whole novel
- how do I write a novel when I have no idea where it ends
- what makes a protagonist compelling enough to follow for 300 pages
- how do I know if my novel is literary fiction or commercial fiction
- what is upmarket fiction and how do I know if I'm writing it
- how do I know if my novel is too quiet to sell
- is a character-driven novel harder to sell than a plot-driven novel
- how do I know if my theme is too heavy-handed
- what does it mean when someone says a novel is uncommercial
- how do I write a novel that is both literary and readable
- can a debut novel have multiple POV characters
- how do I know if my novel concept is too niche
- what makes a novel feel fresh versus derivative
- how do I know if my story is a novel or a memoir
Stage 2: Starting and getting unstuck
- how do I start a novel when I don't know where to begin
- what is the best way to start chapter one of a novel
- how do I write an opening line that makes someone keep reading
- why do I keep starting novels and never finishing them
- how do I get unstuck when I've written myself into a corner
- what do I do when I hate everything I write
- how do I write when I have no time
- how do I write a novel while working full time
- what is the minimum daily word count to finish a novel
- how do I stop procrastinating on my novel
- how do I write when I don't feel inspired
- what do I do when my novel stops feeling exciting to write
- how do I know if I have writer's block or if my story has a structural problem
- how do I write through the messy middle of a novel
- what is the saggy middle of a novel and how do I fix it
- how do I keep track of everything in a complex novel
- should I outline my novel or write by the seat of my pants
- what is a scene versus a chapter in fiction
- how do I write a scene that moves the story forward
- how long should chapters be in a literary novel
Stage 3: Craft and structure
- how do I structure a novel that doesn't follow a traditional plot arc
- what is a three act structure and does every novel need it
- how do I write a non-linear novel without confusing the reader
- what is deep point of view and how do I write it
- how do I choose between first person and third person for my novel
- what is close third person point of view
- how do I write past tense versus present tense and which is better
- how do I write interiority without stopping the story
- what is the difference between showing and telling in fiction
- when is it okay to tell instead of show in a novel
- how do I write dialogue that sounds natural
- how do I write subtext in dialogue
- what is a scene turn and how do I write one
- how do I write tension on every page
- what is pacing in fiction and how do I control it
- how do I write a slow burn romance subplot in literary fiction
- how do I write grief in fiction without being sentimental
- how do I write trauma without exploiting it
- how do I write an unreliable narrator
- how do I write multiple POV characters without losing the reader
- what is free indirect discourse and how do I use it
- how do I write a villain who feels real not cartoonish
- how do I write a character who is unlikeable but compelling
- how do I write an ending that feels earned
- what is a resonant ending in literary fiction
Stage 4: Revision
- how do I revise a novel without losing my mind
- what is the difference between editing and revising a novel
- how many drafts does a novel need before it's ready
- how do I know when my novel is done
- how do I read my own novel objectively
- what is a developmental edit and do I need one
- what is a line edit and when do I need it
- what is copy editing versus proofreading for a novel
- how do I fix a first chapter that isn't working
- how do I cut 20000 words from my novel without losing the heart of it
- how do I know what to cut from my novel
- how do I fix a plot hole in my finished draft
- how do I fix a character who feels flat
- how do I fix an ending that doesn't land
- how do I fix pacing problems in my novel
- how do I fix a middle that drags
- how do I revise dialogue that feels stiff
- how do I fix a first person narrator who feels distant
- how do I fix head hopping in my novel
- how do I fix a novel that has too many characters
- how do I revise a novel that has been sitting in a drawer for years
- how do I know if my novel needs a structural overhaul or just line edits
- what order should I revise my novel in
- how do I write a revision plan for my novel
- how do I keep track of changes across multiple drafts
Stage 5: Getting feedback
- how do I find beta readers for literary fiction
- what should I ask beta readers to look for
- how do I know if beta reader feedback is useful
- how do I handle contradictory feedback from beta readers
- should I pay for a manuscript critique or use beta readers
- what is a manuscript critique and what does it cost
- how do I find a writing group that will give honest feedback
- what is a sensitivity reader and when do I need one
- how do I give feedback to another writer without being cruel
- how do I ask someone to read my novel without feeling embarrassed
- how do I find a writing partner for accountability
- what is a critique partner versus a beta reader
- how do I know if my critique partner is the right fit
- how do I break up with a critique partner who isn't helping
- should I share my novel with friends and family for feedback
- how do I handle feedback that my novel is too quiet
- how do I handle feedback that my protagonist is unlikeable
- how do I handle feedback that my ending doesn't work
- how do I know when to take feedback and when to ignore it
- how do I find readers who understand literary fiction
Stage 6: Book coaching
- what does a book coach do
- what is the difference between a book coach and an editor
- what is the difference between a book coach and a writing teacher
- do I need a book coach or a developmental editor
- how much does a book coach cost
- what is Author Accelerator book coaching
- how do I know if I'm ready to work with a book coach
- what should I look for in a book coach
- how do I find a book coach who specializes in literary fiction
- what happens in a book coaching session
- how long does book coaching take
- can a book coach help me if my novel is only half written
- can a book coach help me if I have multiple drafts that aren't working
- what is the ROI of working with a book coach
- how do I prepare for my first book coaching session
- what questions should I ask a book coach before hiring them
- is book coaching worth it for a debut novelist
- what is the difference between book coaching and an MFA
- can a book coach help me write faster
- what is Story Salon and who is it for
Stage 7: Querying literary agents
- how do I write a query letter for literary fiction
- what is a query letter and what goes in it
- how long should a query letter be
- what is a hook in a query letter
- how do I write a one sentence pitch for my novel
- what is a comp title and how do I choose one
- how do I find comp titles for literary fiction
- what makes a comp title too old to use in a query
- how do I know if my novel is ready to query
- how do I find literary agents who represent my kind of fiction
- what is a literary agent and what do they do
- how do I research literary agents before querying
- what is a query tracker and how do I use it
- how many agents should I query at once
- what is a partial request versus a full request from an agent
- how do I write a synopsis for my novel
- how long should a novel synopsis be
- what goes in the bio section of a query letter
- what do I do if I have no publishing credits for my query bio
- how long does it take to hear back from a literary agent
- what does it mean when an agent passes on my novel
- how do I handle query rejection without giving up
- what is an R&R from a literary agent
- how do I know if I should revise and resubmit after agent feedback
- what happens after a literary agent offers representation
Stage 8: The emotional journey
- how do I deal with imposter syndrome as a writer
- how do I keep writing when I feel like my work isn't good enough
- how do I deal with writing envy when other writers succeed
- how do I stop comparing my writing to published authors
- how do I write through fear of judgment
- how do I tell my family I am writing a novel
- how do I protect my writing time from other people's demands
- how do I write about real people in my fiction without getting sued
- how do I write about my own life in fiction
- how do I deal with the loneliness of writing a novel
- how do I stay motivated when my novel takes years to write
- how do I know if I should give up on my novel
- how do I know if writing is the right path for me
- what do I do when my novel is rejected by every agent
- how do I start a new novel after finishing one
Stage 9: Publishing paths
- what is the difference between traditional publishing and self publishing
- should I self publish or query agents for literary fiction
- what is hybrid publishing and is it legitimate
- what is a small press and how do I submit to one
- what is a literary magazine and should I submit short fiction
- how do I build a writing platform before I'm published
- does a debut novelist need a social media presence
- what is an author newsletter and do I need one
- how do I write an author bio before I'm published
- what is a book proposal and when do I need one for fiction
- what is advance and royalties in traditional publishing
- how long does traditional publishing take from offer to bookshelf
- what rights does a literary agent negotiate for me
- what is an option clause in a publishing contract
- what happens to my novel if my publisher goes out of business
Stage 10: Specific fiction challenges
- how do I write a dual timeline novel
- how do I write historical fiction without getting lost in research
- how do I write a novel in stories or linked stories
- how do I write a novel in verse
- how do I write autofiction without it being self-indulgent
- how do I write a novel about a real historical figure
- how do I write a debut novel that feels like a page turner
- how do I write a quiet literary novel that agents will want
- how do I write a novel that works as both literary and book club fiction
- how do I write a prologue that doesn't turn readers off
- how do I write an epilogue that adds value
- how do I write a novel with an ensemble cast
- how do I write a novel set in another culture respectfully
- how do I write a novel that handles mental illness accurately
- how do I write a novel that deals with addiction without being preachy