24 November 2005 - writing a novel 3

If your novel is intended for a sophisticated audience, it need not portray events. As we see in the soap opera, plotting is a science, not an art; a novel with artistic aspirations must minimize its plot. However, if you are writing for everyday readers—people with money—they will ignorantly demand a plot. Fortunately, experience has shown that it doesn’t much matter what the plot is.

“I am bored,” said Dick thoughtfully as the alien spacecraft descended. “Let us catch a movie.”
“Oh, yes, Dick,” said Jane swelteringly. “Kiss me now! Since my cousin was killed in the crash, I can think of nothing but the inheritance.”