Louise Penny is the author of the popular Inspector Gamache mystery series, set in the fictional village Three Pines, not far from Montréal. Readers of this blog know I’m a fan (see this or this, for starters). Penny has a new book out—How the Light Gets In, which debuted at number one on the New York Times Best Sellers list. Since I preordered my copy from B&N (signed by the author!), I know I helped with that.
So I was delighted when I discovered this article at Canada Writes, the home of the CBC Literary Prizes: 18 things I wish I’d known before starting my first book, by Louise Penny.
There are ideas for getting stuck, for getting through, and basic things like this:
I wish I’d known the length of a manuscript is judged not by page number, but word count. Not knowing this, I looked at the novels in our library, saw most were between 350 and 400 pages, so that’s what I wrote. Single spaced. 250,000 words. I had to take out more than half the book.
This made me laugh out loud, kids. Because, yes, I see many, many manuscripts that are way too long.
There’s lots more here. And this was the final post in a six-post online master class, so be sure you scroll down for Penny’s take on characterization, perseverance, setting, hooks, and much more.
Tweet: Louise Penny shares the things she wishes she’d known about the writing biz.
Tweet: Louise Penny’s final post in a six-post online master class. Good stuff!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
I love this, Jamie. I love Penny’s voice and am going to read her books. Thanks, for the recommendation.
Safe travels home from ACFW!
OK, returning to mouth breathe. Per your recommendation I requested all of Penny’s novels from the library—I like to read before I buy because I read so much. Later in the day I stopped by to drop off books and there was “A Rule Against Murder” on hold for me. It is burning a hole in my pocket but I’m going to wait to begin with Still Life. It’s taking all the self-control I can muster.
You MUST read in order. But Still Life is available in a mass market paperback, so it’s fairly cheap. I’m going to look for it in hardback on Abebooks, though, because I have bought all the others the minute they shipped. Be patient with Still Life. She was finding her voice and I think there were a few awkward paragraphs here and there. By book 2 that was all worked out. You’ve read my commentary on Bury Your Dead, I imagine? It’s stunning.
Apparently they are making a movie but PLEASE don’t watch it until you’ve fallen in love with Inspector Gamache and have formed a picture of him in your mind. I want you to tell me how you see him and how old you think he is.
Thanks so much for this link, Jamie – and for all your posts, which I faithfully read, even when I don’t comment.
You’re very welcome! Thank you for reading!
I’m going to wait. And I will be patient. I know about the movie and have concerns with the casting. Ha! Ha! Ha! I haven’t even read the books but I know the actor playing the lead. I would never watch the movie first. I can hardly wait to read and to watch her development as a novelist.
I felt such a connection with her voice in the article you linked and can’t wait to read the series as a reader and a writer.
Well, I can’t wait to reswoon over the books through your eyes. 🙂
Keep me posted. 🙂
Picked up another title yesterday, NOT “Still Life” and pestered the librarian to make sure it wasn’t in the back. When I finally have it in my grubby hands, the next trial will be taking the series slowly when everything in me will want to gobble it up.