But it’s highly likely that if you’re stuck with your story until the very end, your goal isn’t just to finish a novel. You probably want it to be good. You may even want it to sell.
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# How To Write A Compelling Story And Avoid The Most Common Novel-Writing Mistakes

## A masterclass in story-telling

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10 min read

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Dec 30, 2020

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If you’ve drafted an entire novel, you’ve already accomplished something significant. Many people start a novel and never finish; more people get an idea but never start. Simply sitting down and committing tens of thousands of words to the page is remarkable.

But it’s highly likely that if you’re stuck with your story until the very end, your goal isn’t just to finish a novel. You probably want it to be good. You may even want it to sell.

Therein lies the real challenge: writing a novel that is compelling, a novel that other people want to read. And most of us don’t know how to do that.

# What we can learn about writing

We aren’t taught how to write novels. We may learn grammar rules or how to spot symbolism in literary works or how to invent creative premises, but we don’t learn what makes for a good story.

And all the beautiful prose, correctly placed commas, and exciting ideas still might add up to a novel that is flat or boring. That’s why many who clear the first hurdle of completing their manuscript never get any farther. Because they do not know how to turn 80,000 words into a satisfying story.

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·Writer for

Book coach helping aspiring novelists achieve their dreams. I’m also a dog lover who writes about writing, running, and mental health. www.thewriterremedy.com

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