What’s it like to start a new book? Sometimes I think it’s like a maze, one that has many entrances, many passages, and many outcomes, none known (though you think you know the entrance). The maze also has many dead ends. It certainly doesn’t have a known exit. I, the writer, poke along through this maze, now this passage, and now that, feeling my way (and I mean that feeling literarily). If it feels good, I press on to the next choice of turns. If it doesn’t feel right, I retreat and go another way. I may even have to go back and start again. From a different place. The more I go forward, however, the clearer the way forward—unless, of course, I reach another dead end and have to yet start again. Curiously enough for all the hesitations, false moves, guesses, dead ends, the goal is to make the story appear inevitable, as if it had no hesitations, false moves, guesses, or dead ends. Do you think writers always know what they are doing? Think again.
7 thoughts on “Starting a new book”
You are my favorite author in the entire world!!!! 🙂 I have read Seer Of Shadows and it is literally my favorite book in the entire world!! I am 11 and is going into 6th grade!! I love reading and I am hoping to read every one of your books by the end of senior high!! I have read (from best):
1. Seer of Shadows
2. True Confessions of Charollette Doyle ( don’t really know how to spell Charollette)
3. Murder at Midnight
4. Ragweed
5. and finally I am currently reading Barn
I love your work and your creativity and your beatiful words that swoop me into a land where it is dream land and you can feel yourself being that main character!! I go and am going through rough times since I was six and always dreamt about becoming a singer/actor or a book publisher and when I read your books I am in a peaceful land where everything is worry free like Bali in Eat Pray and Love. I hope that you read this comment soon!!:)
Thank you for your kind words. I’m glad my books fill your dreams. I hope you become a writer.
Avi
Do you ever know what you are writting next while you are writting another book?? What is your next book??
Yes I do.
My next book to be published is called Sophia’s War.
And I am working on something new. No title yet. Avi
ur awesome!!!!!!!!!
Dear Avi
i really love the books that you write. i have read the hole series of ragweed and i love them so much. my most favorite book is Poppy and Rye. i think you are so awesome. for summer reading i am reading Poppy.
From your biggest fan,
Jack
Thank you Jack.
Guess what? I have a son named Jack!
Avi