I’m No Novelist

Sasha Fleischer
Nov 3 · 2 min read

Is there a month for those of us who write occasionally when we think we have something to say? No? Well, I’m screwed.

In all seriousness, #NaNoWriMo just reinforces to me what an absolute slacker I am. I haven’t written in months. I get inspired, but then never get anything put down. Whereas a novelist friend of mine has been prepping for a month, and already has an entire chapter written. It’s November 3rd people!! She’s written an entire chapter!

I stand in awe of your glory, ma’am.

I also apologise for calling you “ma’am.”

I’m just completely out of my element here. As a kid, I always dreamed I would write glorious works of fiction. But it turns out, you can’t just pour out a novel in one go. The words do not, in fact, pour majestically onto the page as soon as you have an inkling of an idea. Tolkien developed languages, crafted an entire world, for his novels. I don’t even name my characters until I’m writing them down. And even then I might change my mind halfway through. Hell, I start writing with no idea where the story is even going. What a rude awakening it was to discover those horrendous outlines we crafted in English class actually served a purpose. How awful to suddenly realize I’d have to actually develop a character before getting to my favorite part- overexplaining every meticulous detail of the setting! It all sounds so… tedious!

So here’s to the novelists!! May I never be you, but may I never again be ungrateful for your dedication to your craft. Write on!

    Sasha Fleischer

    Written by

    Mama, Wife, Writer? Maybe.