Packed with tips from bestselling and prize-winning authors, Novel Writing: A Writers' and Artists' Companion will give you all the practical advice you need to write and publish your novel. PART 1 provides an introduction to the forms and history of the novel and helps you plan and research your masterpiece, develop characters and compelling narratives and your own authorial voice. PART 2 contains guest contributions from Philip Pullman, Louise Doughty, Glenn Patterson, Jeanette Winterson, Jonathan Franzen, Stevie Davies, Doris Lessing, Tash Aw, Elif Shafak, Anne Enright, Tim Pears, Anita Desai, Tim Lott, Amit Chaudhuri, Andrea Levy, Alan Hollinghurst, Bernardo Atxaga, Hanan Al-Shaykh, Michèle Roberts, Joan Brady, Lynn Freed, Evelyn Toynton as well as a number of the 2013 list of the Best of Young British Novelists including Kamila Shamsie, Tamima Anam, Naomi Alderman, Ned Beauman, Jenni Fagan and Joanna Kavenna. PART 3 offers practical advice on collaborative writing, overcoming writer's block, editing and rewriting and finding an agent and a publisher for your work. Written by two multi-award winning authors, this is a comprehensive manual for established and aspiring novelists alike.

Foreword by Ali Smith Preface by Carole Angier and Sally Cline Part 1: On novel writing Reflections What is a novel? A. L. Kennedy and Romesh Gunesekera The novel - what I wish I'd known before I started A. L. Kennedy Creative worrying Message from Delphi A solitary vocation The joy of not writing Writing my first novel Romesh Gunesekera Reading first The advice Starting to write The plan Autobiography My lessons Elements Beginnings and preparation A. L. Kennedy Who are you? Who is your reader? Environment Health RoutineIt's different for girlsCharacter and plot Deep idea Support networks Setting, place and atmosphere Romesh Gunesekera Characters A. L. Kennedy Moral and personal issues The chicken and the egg Generation of elements Point of view and perspective Romesh Gunesekera Voice, language and dialogue A. L. Kennedy Voice Language and dialogue Endings Romesh Gunesekera Life lessons A. L. Kennedy Senses Media Within any given month The poisoned chalice A. L. Kennedy The public Stalking Interviews Other exposure and activities Other writers Saying no A. L. Kennedy Part 2: Tips and tales - guest contributions Tips from Novelists Hanan Al-Shaykh Bernardo Atxaga Tash Aw Joan Brady Amit Chaudhuri Davies Anita Desai Louise Doughty Anne Enright Jonathan Franzen Lynn Freed Alan Hollinghurst Doris Lessing Andrea Levy Tim Lott Glenn Patterson Tim Pears Philip Pullman Michèle Roberts Elif Shafak Evelyn Toynton Jeanette Winterson Granta's Best of Young British Novelists 2013 Naomi Alderman Tahmima Anam Ned Beauman Jenni Fagan Adam Foulds Xiaolu Guo Joanna Kavenna Benjamin Markovits Kamila Shamsie Evie Wyld Part 3: Write on Distance by Romesh Gunesekera Silence by Romesh Gunesekera Early issues by Romesh Gunesekera Planning The 'W' decisions Research 149 Tools Routine, time and zone Finding your voice Writing tips by A. L. Kennedy Starting Keeping on Reaching the end Rewriting and editing Nuts and bolts by A. L. Kennedy Grammar Punctuation Tenses Point of view (POV) Layout Writing with others by Romesh Gunesekera Courses and workshops Workshopping Writing exercises Collaboration Mentors An agent's view by Antony Harwood A brave new world: Digital media by Romesh Gunesekera An alphabetical list of questions for the digital age: Chris Meade interviewed by Romesh Gunesekera The seven ages of the novelist by Romesh Gunesekera Resources by Romesh Gunesekera Books UK courses US courses On-line Workshop exercises by Romesh Gunesekera Procrastination Travel toolkit by A. L. Kennedy References Basic kit 100 milestones of the modern novel End piece by Romesh Gunesekera Conclusion by A. L. Kennedy Bibliography Index