5 Tips for Literary Writers

5 Tips for Literary Writers

Anybody Can Write a Novel

Chapter 9 “Types of Writers” – Section 12 “Literary Writers”

With Links to Supplementary Material

Literary writing—best represented in modern short-stories and novels that were clearly inspired by the foundations of the greatest writers of the centuries—is the final type that we will be discussing in our section on Writing Types. Those who write within this style, usually have a great mastery over the English language, the dynamics of storytelling, and have often done more reading than any other type. However, it is often the case that when a casual reader picks up such a story, the first page triggers certain alarms that tell them to put the book down and flee to the nearest graphic novel section of that library. Today, I'm going to discuss the perspectives and attitudes which will strengthen your own literary writing, and help you to avoid the common errors that cause readers to avoid these works.

Tip 1: Understand what differentiates literary writing from other styles.

There are many different studies, definitions, and arguments for what makes a story 'literary.' But, as I am speaking for the casual reader, I will tell you that they consider it—in their most benevolent of moods—a story inspired by the old Masters of storytelling. It includes any story that has an old aesthetic, that brings us a pleasant sense of nostalgia and old-world class—with similar themes, structures, narration, and dialogue as the classical works of literature. Otherwise, literary writing is just like any other form of storytelling.

Tip 2: Understand why most readers don't like literary writing.

When I pick up a contemporary work in a literary style, I will most often put it down because it is boring, archaic, patronizing, self-indulgent, and/or so muddled in flowery language that the story is overshadowed. But why does this happen? After all, these works were done in emulation of the classical works of literature that I so very much enjoyed! I think that it is most often because the writer considers the work of the old Masters of such high quality and substance, that they themselves must try to climb to that level. And when the writer rises up to that level, the only way to meet the gaze of the audience is by looking down—a gesture that the reader immediately recognizes in every subtly detail of the story.

Tip 3: Understand the motivations and perspectives of the old Masters of literature.

Shakespeare's plays are somewhat difficult to read today, and are considered among the highest and most difficult forms of literature. But that has not always been the case. Shakespeare actually wrote for the common people of his time—for crowds of people who were often drunk and jeering at the stage. His works were not patronizing because he was not talking down to the people, he was writing a story for them and on their level! Similarly, Tolkien told “The Hobbit” to his kids as bedtime stories. Both authors respected their audiences enough to not only tell stories on their level, but difficult stories that showed an even deeper level of respect. In other words, they pulled no punches. This is the greatness that you want to emulate—not the feeling of supremacy or the archaic language that we perceive simply through the passing of time.

Tip 4: Understand that the Masters of literature invented storytelling.

I often complain (usually in jest) about Tolkien's use of Deus Ex Machina in the form of the Eagles, as well as their existence being an entire plot-hole. However, I would never go so far as to say he was anything less than a brilliant storyteller, even for all of the flaws in his works. Why? He pretty much invented the genre of contemporary fantasy and storytelling! He created the errors and the structures that much of our work thrives on today; but note that this statement also implies that the flaws were there. When you emulate the old styles, you must find these flaws and correct them—honoring the foundations that the Masters created instead of mimicking their errors with blind, religious zeal.

Tip 5: Be a true literary writer.

Most of the Masters were not recognized for their greatness any more than our movie directors, contemporary writers, and playwrights are recognized today. They were simply people with a deep love of story, who were driven to write the most powerful and beautiful stories that they could. And while it adds a wonderful flavor to a work when a reader notices its subtle tributes and strengths that have come from the old Masters, the thing that will ultimately make your work 'literary' will be that it is a powerful, beautiful, and artfully crafted story—enough so that readers will fall in love with them enough to pass them on from generation to generation, until they become 'classical literature' and you join in the ranks of the Masters.

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