So, You Want to Write a Novel?

Les Brown, Author
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Real talk from a published novelist about the journey from blank page to published book. Your mileage may vary. hlesbrownauthor.substack.com

Episodes

  1. So, You Want to Write a Novel?

    4D AGO

    So, You Want to Write a Novel?

    The nuts and bolts of writing may not be glamorous, but they might be the most important investment you make in your manuscript. In this episode, I share what I've learned about spelling, punctuation, and grammar over the course of five novels — why clarity of thought matters more than following rules, what your editor is actually doing with your manuscript, and why knowing the rules is the first step to breaking them well. I also talk about Grammarly as a learning tool and walk through the workflow I've settled on for getting a clean manuscript to my editor. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hlesbrownauthor.substack.com

    17 min
  2. So, You Want to Write a Novel?

    FEB 9

    So, You Want to Write a Novel?

    Your setting isn't just where the story happens — it's a character with a role to play. In this episode, I break down the difference between locale and setting, and show how I use real places, photographs, floor plans, and a few deliberate name changes to ground my fiction in a world readers can see, hear, and feel. From a cold, empty seminary in Rome that mirrors a character's inner emptiness, to a warm Italian restaurant dinner with a cardinal, to apartments I found on real rental listings, I share the tricks I use to make settings do more than just sit there. I also talk about when to use real names and addresses — and when plausible deniability is the smarter move. Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hlesbrownauthor.substack.com

    12 min
  3. So You Want to Write a Novel?

    FEB 3

    So You Want to Write a Novel?

    In Episode 6, Getting the Message, I tackle one of the craft skills that worried me most when I started writing fiction: dialogue. Why is conversation so much more powerful than description at conveying meaning? How do I actually create my characters' conversations — and what does rehearsing difficult talks in your own head have to do with it? I get into the surprising magic of "he said," why I learned to stop reaching for adverbs like emoticons, the dangers of going overboard with dialect (poor Handy Andy), and how to let your readers know who's talking without ever telling them. If you've ever been told "show, don't tell," dialogue is where that advice really comes alive. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hlesbrownauthor.substack.com

    11 min
  4. So, You Want to Write a Novel? - Episode 5

    JAN 14

    So, You Want to Write a Novel? - Episode 5

    Backstory: the hidden engine that drives your characters and keeps readers guessing. In this episode, I pull back the curtain on how I built one of my most complex characters—Hannah from The Priest—by anchoring her fictional life in real WWII history and building outward, one plausible step at a time. Fair warning: this one contains spoilers. If you haven’t read the book yet, you might want to skip ahead to Episode 6 on settings and come back later. For everyone else, I share the technique I use to lend real weight to backstories. Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. . This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hlesbrownauthor.substack.com

    13 min
  5. So You Want to Write a Novel? - Episode 4

    12/23/2025

    So You Want to Write a Novel? - Episode 4

    Research: the secret ingredient that transforms flat fiction into believable worlds. In this episode, I share hard-won lessons about gathering and organizing information for your novel—including an embarrassing mistake in my first book that forced me to issue a second edition. From virtual street-walking via Google Earth to the humble manila folder, I cover the tools that have worked for me (and a few that haven't). Plus, a sneak peek at a project I'm developing to take research storage and retrieval to the next level. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hlesbrownauthor.substack.com

    13 min
  6. So You Want to Write a Novel? - Episode 3

    12/14/2025

    So You Want to Write a Novel? - Episode 3

    Handsome. Brilliant. Gay. Determined to become a Catholic priest. In this week’s episode, I show you exactly how I built a character so complex that his story practically wrote itself. Because when you start with a character, the plot takes care of itself. Listen now 👇 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hlesbrownauthor.substack.com

    8 min
  7. So You Want to Write a Novel? - Episode 2

    12/11/2025

    So You Want to Write a Novel? - Episode 2

    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hlesbrownauthor.substack.com

    9 min
  8. Episode 1 - I Always Wanted to Write

    12/06/2025

    Episode 1 - I Always Wanted to Write

    Check out Episode 1 of my new Show (it's my first... but only my first)! I want you to be among the first to join me on the adventure of becoming a novelist... if you dare! 👉 Subscribe to get future episodes delivered to your inbox! https://hlesbrownauthor.substack.com

    5 min
  9. So You Want to Write a Novel? - Episode 1

    12/02/2025

    So You Want to Write a Novel? - Episode 1

    This is the first episode in my new podcast series, So You Want to Write a Novel? In this episode, I share my journey from “I’ve always wanted to write” to becoming a published author of five novels. If you’ve ever dreamed of writing a book but didn’t know where to start, this is for you. Want more? Subscribe below for regular episodes on the writing life, publishing journey, and lessons learned along the way (it’s free!). * Why this podcast? * Sharing what I’ve learned as an author * Not a creative writing class * My experience * What I did (plot, character, revisions) * The business side of authoring (publishing, cover design, marketing) * What it feels like to finish and publish a book Coming up in future episodes: * The reality of publishing (self- vs. traditional publishing) * Building an author platform from scratch * Behind the scenes of We Are Not Saints * Sneak peek at Sycamore Boy This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hlesbrownauthor.substack.com

    5 min
  10. A Brief Introduction

    12/01/2025

    A Brief Introduction

    Just a quick hello, and a word about my work. Watch for more posts about We Are Not Saints, my newest novel, Sycamore Boy, and my experience as a writer. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hlesbrownauthor.substack.com

    29 sec
  • 10 Episodes

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Real talk from a published novelist about the journey from blank page to published book. Your mileage may vary. hlesbrownauthor.substack.com

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