There are four things you need to know about Surviving the Novel.

If you’re going to get the most out of this site.


First of all, Welcome!


Congratulations on finding this blog! It can be really good at hiding from the people who are trying to find it.

The fact that you’re here tells me two things: one, you’re a writer—and two, you have a story to tell. Perfect. You’re just the type of person I’m looking for.

Surviving the Novel is for you.

Through this site you’ll get the things you need to be the awesome writer that you want to be, and tell the story you daydream about when you should be working.

Whether that comes in the form of encouragement to push through the tough times, inspiration to break up a bit of writer’s block, or a simple push in the right direction.

My goal is to get you to the place where you can tell your story, and to keep you writing even when it gets hard.


Notice that I never said the word “teach.” Did that on purpose.

I’ll talk more about this a little later, but for now, all you need to know is that my goal with Surviving the Novel is not to teach you how to write.

You already know how to do that, don’t you?

You don’t need another guy on the internet preaching to you about grammar and sentence structure.


Don’t feel like reading a long about page? Here’s the abridged version…

Surviving the Novel is a blog with the goal of encouraging, inspiring, and giving direction to struggling storytellers, with the purpose of helping them tell their story.

Secondly, hey! My name’s Wyatt.

I’m your host (that’s a fancy way of saying I run this place).

I’m also a storyteller, a poet, and a writer. Even though I hate writing…

*gasp*

That’s right! I don’t like writing. It’s boring.

*shock*

It is! Don’t try to argue. It’s a slow, monotonous, thankless process. It’s something that’s exciting when it’s just an idea, but when it comes time to actually write, it’s something that you have to force yourself to sit down and do. What’s even worse, is that assuming you do actually start writing, completing even a simple 600 word project could take hours.

Writing is exhausting. I doubt I’ll ever actually enjoy the act of writing. I still write though.

I write, because I love telling my stories and sharing my poetry—and I love helping others love these things. I endure the pain and exhaustion that comes with writing, because writing is the best best way that I know of to do the things that I love.

My philosophy on writing is simple like that.

Writing isn’t romantic to me—I’ve never felt intoxicated by the act of writing, I’ve never wanted to use an old-fashion typewriter, I’ve never felt like I would die if I didn’t write. I know that these are popular ideas in some writing communities… But that’s not me.

And that’s not what writing should be. At least, not to a writer who, like me, wants to tell a story more than they want to write it.

Writing is a very simple thing. So we should look at it in a very simple way.

I am not a writer in the romantic sense. No typewriter, no urge to write (although this is one thing that I wish I had), no intoxication. Only in the most simplistic sense of the word am I a “writer.”

I have a passion for stories, not writing; and I consider myself more of a storyteller who writes, as opposed to a writer who tells stories. All that writing is to me, is the tool that I use to pursue my passion.

I write, therefore, I’m a writer.

Great! Now that you know that…

Third, Surviving the Novel is not a blog about writing.

It’s not a blog about being a writer—It’s not a blog about how to write.

Surviving the Novel is a blog about telling stories and being a storyteller.

Yes, lots of writing happens here. Yes, sometimes there will be an article published to help you be a better writer. Yes, you will become a better writer if you follow Surviving the Novel. However, here on Surviving the Novel, you’re a storyteller first—and a writer second.

Understand this, embrace this.

Fourth, Surviving the Novel has three different types of content.

Encouragement—the Blog

The blog on Surviving the Novel is not the place to go if you’re looking for instruction on how to write or tips on how to describe the depth of your character’s eyes. You won’t get much of that on this particular blog.

(storytelling blog, remember? Not a writing blog.)

What you will get is three weekly posts that are filled to bursting with encouragement and helpful bits of information specifically tailored to keep you writing.

Go to the Blog

Inspiration—the Library

Everyone writes better when they’re inspired—and what better way to get inspired than to read? It’s advice given by almost all best selling authors…

Writers need to be readers. Not to pick up new techniques for writing, but to ignite your imagination and set your creative gears turning.

To read is to be inspired. So if inspiration is what you’re looking for, the Library is waiting.

Go to the Library


Direction—the List

The Surviving the Novel email list is the glue that holds this thing together, and the kingpin to your experience with Surviving the Novel. By joining the list you get access to…

  • A weekly newsletter that gives you a look back at all content published on the blog, and in the library. As well as any exciting news you should know about Surviving the Novel.
  • Every new blog post delivered to your inbox the moment it’s published
  • The opportunity to guest post on Surviving the Novel
  • The free, weekly writing prompt contest. (prizes include amazon gift cards and publication in the Library)
  • Special deals on products and services around the web that will help you be a better writer and storyteller.
  • Free downloads of Surviving the Novel’s secret stash. (a collection of guides, checklists, prompts, ebooks, blueprints, and of course, secrets—all of which are designed to help you become a better writer and storyteller)
  • Early, discounted access to the Surviving the Novel projects still in development. (online courses, short story and poetry collections, books to encourage you, books to inspire you, and bigger, much more secret projects that will only be available to those of you who are on the email list)

Hey! You can use this form to get on the list. Pretty easy, just enter your email in the obvious spot.