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Q&A Writing a novel, can I do [this or that]?

GLENDOWER I can call spirits from the vasty deep. HOTSPUR Why, so can I, or so can any man; But will they come when you do call for them? -- Henry IV, part 1 | Act 3, Scene 1 In other word...

posted 8y ago by Mark Baker‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

Answer
#4: Attribution notice removed by user avatar System‭ · 2020-01-03T20:41:52Z (almost 5 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/25823
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#3: Attribution notice added by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-08T05:52:35Z (almost 5 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/25823
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#2: Initial revision by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-08T05:52:35Z (almost 5 years ago)
    GLENDOWER 
    I can call spirits from the vasty deep. 
    
    HOTSPUR 
    Why, so can I, or so can any man; 
    But will they come when you do call for them?

-- Henry IV, part 1 | Act 3, Scene 1

In other words, "Can I do ..." is always the wrong question. "Will anyone want to read ..." is the right question.

And if you can't think of a dozen widely read books where the author does [something or other] then the answer is no.

Storytelling is the most ancient of arts. It neither needs nor rewards innovation. It is all about excellence of execution. If you are spending your time and energy on anything else, you are wasting your time.

#1: Imported from external source by user avatar System‭ · 2017-01-03T18:58:07Z (almost 8 years ago)
Original score: 24