The Novelist: a novella [Paperback]

L.L. Barkat (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 24, 2012

Follow copywriter and poet, Laura, as she tries to figure out how to write a novel to meet Megan Willow's challenge: a book by September.

Megan has a thriving tea business and does everything in a big way. To her, the idea of writing a novel in a matter of months is beyond simple. All you need is the will, and you'll find the way.

Confused by romantic love and her own place in the writing world, Laura delves into her past, as she tries to bring a novel into the present. To tutor her efforts, she culls wisdom and hope from greats such as Mario Vargas Llosa, Mary Shelley, and medieval story-weaver Murasaki (whose real name has been lost to history, because she was a woman).

Can Laura write a novel by September? She might not even make a cup of tea by midnight. So who's to say.

Editorial Reviews

Review

If you are a writer struggling to find your place in the literary world, this book may be just what you are looking for. It will teach you about writing, not the way a textbook does, but while telling you a story.

--Lisa Binion, Fiction Editor, BellaOnline

The Novelist is a pleasurable escape into the known and unknown world of Laura's inner journey. Barkat's ability to weave poetry into prose makes it impossible not to sink into her beautiful writing. It's one of those rare books you'll finish but leave on the nightstand.

--Darrelyn Saloom, co-author of My Call to the Ring: A Memoir of A Girl Who Yearns to Box

About the Author

L.L. Barkat is Managing Editor of Tweetspeak Poetry, where writers and poets can find everything from basic inspiration to full-fledged writing workshops. The author of six books, including fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, Barkat understands the writing process from all angles and gently, skillfully mentors both up-and-coming and established writers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 110 pages
• Publisher: T.S. Poetry Press (August 24, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0984553193
• ISBN-13: 978-0984553198
• Product Dimensions: 0.3 x 5.4 x 8.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,957,390 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

L. L. Barkat is the author of Rumors of Water: Thoughts on Creativity & Writing, as well as two spiritual memoirs and a book of poetry. She is a Staff Writer for International Arts Movement's 'The Curator.'

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful intertwining of dichotomies August 28, 2012

By LYLA W LINDQUIST

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The Novelist's main character describes her relationship with a poet friend as "more of a thing and less of a thing," saying that "to express it this way made no sense, yet it made perfect sense to Laura." This powerful intertwining of seeming dichotomies characterizes the narrative of L.L. Barkat's debut fiction release.

Laura, an ad copy writer who's never finished even a short story, is challenged by an acquaintance on Twitter to write a novel in an impossibly short time. Along the way, she embarks on a process of discovering herself, the strength of her own center, and the power of both yes and no.

Barkat seamlessly weaves a compelling plot with alluring poetry, truth with fiction, and even profound micro-studies in relationships and the writing craft. Readers of Barkat's previous books will find The Novelist a departure from her earlier work, not simply in genre, but also in what they think they know of the author. In an intriguing sense fitting for the story itself, the transition feels subtle, as though the unexpected comes to be in a very expected sort of way.

The Novelist is the sort of book that leaves you tempted to let the water boil away on the stove while you read just one more page, until you find yourself unexpectedly at THE END. Which, of course, is where the book began. I highly recommend starting there, and reading it again, and again.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Novelist September 30, 2012

By G. M. Brodhurst-Davis

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The Novelist is quite an engaging, insightful, and illuminating read. Once again, the author, L. L. Barkat, delivers and in this novella, has managed to incorporate storytelling in the most gentle and comprehensive manner with some of her most breathtaking and moving poetry. We follow Laura, a copywriter and poet, who is challenged by her friend, Megan, to write a novel by September. We are treated to delicious tea infusions as Laura ponders in-depth to make some sense of her relationship with her seemingly non-committal lover, Geoffrey, and in reconciling with her unpleasant past in her endeavor to write her novel. I took away many good moments from this book and am especially impressed by the way L.L. Barkat effortlessly weaves references to other authors' literary works into the storyline as part of Laura's musings on the writing process in deciding a topic. I enjoyed this book from start to finish and highly recommend it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightfully Clever August 31, 2012

By Lynn Silvera

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

The Novelist explores the process of writing through the mind and stories of a character who "has nothing to write about" and yet has been challenged to write a book. As Laura ruminates on the writing process, the author playfully jabs at the literary world. As Laura procrastinates and avoids writing her story, the author crafts a simple yet complex story of a woman whose tragic and endearing past becomes the novel she has not yet figured out how to write. The Novelist is layered in ideas about the writing process, the importance of one's experiences in the creation of fiction, and the evolution of a story ready to be born.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Writer's Palette December 23, 2012

By Katherine Harms

Format:Paperback

I'm sure I should have read Rumors of Water already, but I haven't. I met LL Barkat by reading The Novelist. Now I know that I must next read Rumors of Water.
The Novelist sent my mind on a trip through memories of the various self-portraits I have seen. Whether in oils or photographs the self-portraits created by artists always manage to hide as much as they display and leave the viewer with questions to mull. Barkat accomplishes the same thing in The Novelist. Ostensibly, the story is about a woman challenged to write her first novel and do it quickly. I dare you just to try to guess how it all turns out.
Barkat is many things, and in this book she is a novelist -- maybe. Her blend of poetry, tea and china leads the reader on a sometimes not so merry chase through life and literature. Almost everyone who ever thought of being a writer thought first of writing novels, and most first novels simply amount to the trash that must be dumped before the writer discovers what she will actually write. The Novelist is not headed for anybody's trash dump.
I won't try to tell you what the book is about. Every reader must figure out that puzzle for himself. I will tell you that you won't find a list of the "Five Books Every New Writer Needs," although you may find yourself chasing down a number of books on writing after you read this book. Don't expect me to classify this book, either. I welcome anyone's comments on that matter after reading the book.
I will tell you that The Novelist is not to be missed. Pure art. Unique poetry. Bleeding edge self-examination. Memories bitter and sweet brushed on with a gentle touch and sensitive imagination. All stirred together with vignettes and snippets of Tale of Genji. I could not put it down.... Yet I kept putting it down in order to absorb and savor the writing. The Novelist belongs at the top of your "to read" list. Read more ›

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating way to tell a story. December 28, 2012

By Debra Lobel

Format:Paperback

The main character in The Novelist, Laura, writes poetry as easily as she has conversations. However, when she is challenged by her friend Megan, a successful businesswoman and author, to write a novel and complete it by September, Laura has no idea how to go about writing it or what to write about.

As Laura considers the challenge, she "consults" well-known authors and their guidance for how to write a novel, including James Scott Bell's Plot & Structure and Letters to a Young Novelist, by Mario Vargas Llosa. By the end of the novella, she takes Mario Vargas Llosa's advice - no one can teach anyone how to create and a novice fiction writer should "just sit down and write."

Laura struggles with life, even to make herself a cup of tea. So begins a journey of self-discovery. Eventually, she is able to see herself for who she is and understands what she needs to do.

One of the things I like most about how The Novelist is written is how Barkat brings herself into the story. Laura refers to LL Barkat's book Rumors of Water, becoming one of the "mentor" authors that Laura "consults". The novella is also sprinkled with lots of poetry, giving readers a glimpse into Barkat's writings as a poet.