One of my writers’ groups had a recent discussion about how easy it is to make a novel too complicated. This is a challenge I encounter a lot. 

I love worldbuilding and complex ideas. When I attended Julie Cohen’s writing retreat in France, she called me out for it: “Keep it simple, stupid!” I need to be able to describe what I’m writing in a straightforward way. Once I’ve gotten to the essence of it, I can complexify from there!

I’m doing NaNoWriMo again this year, and I’m starting something new. My first idea was one I’ve dreamed about since the pandemic, set in a beautiful, complicated world. I’ve tried to begin it a few times, but I haven’t been able to make a plot work with these characters and setting.

I hope to write that story someday. It might be one of those ideas that isn’t quite ready yet, one that I will someday gain the skills to bring to life.

But I had a second idea while brainstorming. This one’s simpler and more straightforward. I know how to describe it and make it sound interesting to listeners. I know how to structure it. 

That’s the one I’m writing.

Do you tend to overcomplicate your writing, too? What do you do to keep things clear?

Here are a few principles that have helped me take my narratives back to basics.

• Know what the point of your story is.
• Be able to describe it in a sentence.
• Know what the stakes are – and feel emotionally invested, not confused.
• Pitch your story to others. See if it a) makes sense to them and b) sounds interesting.
• Make sure you want to write this story. A novel is a commitment!

Happy NaNoWriMo. Here’s to keeping things simple!