25 November 2005 - writing a novel 4

The contemporary novel has a stubborn streak. It insists that you make certain abstruse technical decisions about obscure matters such as “theme” that no true artist can be expected to properly understand; it would require paying attention in class. How to choose?

Alternatives exist, but these simple suggestions will satisfy critics without alarming normal human beings.

theme - woman’s inwomanity to woman
narrative voice - third-person plenipotentiary
tone - post-ironic sympathetico-detached
dramatic structure - innovative