Writing A Novel: For aspiring writers, nuggets of advice

A session entitled "How to write a novel" was conducted by HM Naqvi and Irshad Abdul Kadir.

ISLAMABAD:

Many young aspiring writers came in with pen and paper to attend the session, “How to write a novel”  with HM Naqvi, a novelist and short story writer Irshad Abdul Kadir.

Both writers maintained that writing required more discipline than skill.

“A novel is more character-based, where the writer delves into the intricacies of human characters and their relationships with one another, however a short story is more incident-based,” said Naqvi.

They said writers need to follow a routine and write every day.

Irshad focused on the need to work with a central idea for young writers. Each story requires a main plot with which you work around with characters and scenarios.” Both writers agreed that research was imperative.

“In Home Boy, the protagonist loses his job and becomes a cab driver. I attended a school in Long Island where cab drivers are trained. You have to know your people,” stated Naqvi.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 3^rd, 2013.