Ann Patchett’s Secret to Writing [It’s Not What You Think]

Write your best possible book and have fun doing it… whether you haven’t written a creative word since third grade or have an MFA in Creative Writing.
I’m Mary Adkins, 3x novelist with HarperCollins and novel-writing coach. I’m so glad you found me!
Find the resources I mention in my videos here:
+ Learn my Four Notebooks Method & get your free template:
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+ Join my next free challenge & start your book with me:
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+ For a limited time, get my FREE storyboard template for your novel here:
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+ Ready to write your dream book? Apply for my program the Book Incubator:
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Or check out my novels:
Privilege
When You Read This
Palm Beach
Video Breakdown
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0:00 Ann Patchett
5:09 Join my FREE challenge
5:39 What is a risk?
6:41 Get your FREE digital template!
Check Out Our Other Videos:
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+ Conflict in Fiction: 4 Great Tips For Aspiring Writers - • Conflict in Fiction: 4...
+ 5 Books Every Writer Needs to Read! - • 5 Books Every Writer N...
+ First Draft Pharmacy: Why Are My Characters Flat? - • First Draft Pharmacy: ...
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Learn more about Mary at www.maryadkinswriter.com.
Mary also has a popular podcast for aspiring authors:
www.maryadkinswriter.com/podcast
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[@nourybuttry5463]

Thank you, thank you, and again, thank you! My characters and I are breathing easier because of this advice. Honestly, I have been going in no direction. Too overwhelmed. This concept of writing a short story vs a novel has given me and my story new direction and hope. Blessings.

[@maryadkins]

Glad it helped! Thank you!

[@sandralashley4718]

It must be so difficult to create and develop personalities in novels that are realistic but also interesting (and who can continue to be interesting as the character deepens and the story grows more complex). I say this as a clinical psychologist/psychoanalyst who listens to people speak for hours, year after year. My struggle with novels is that writers often cannot accurately convey how real people speak, feel, think, defend, and behave. This is a difficult task in part because personalities are so complex and they operate on several levels and dimensions. Novels leave more room for errors in getting the character right, I think. Perhaps novels might start off correctly but have a greater likelihood of getting off track. When I get a whiff of dialog that does not ring true in a novel, for example, I usually stop reading. (My joining a new book group has forced me to grow some patience and stick it out!) In a short story, I might try harder and force myself to finish. While short stories and novels both sound very challenging, the latter seems particularly difficult, just my opinion.

[@maryadkins]

Well said! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!