When a writer goes from writing nonfiction to writing fiction, it's called a leap. When she goes from writing fiction to writing nonfiction, it's not called anything. A diversion, perhaps, or an excursion, maybe an extra paycheck. Everyone knows the novelists will go back to their real writing soon enough. It comes as no surprise when established novelists (Jonathan Franzen, Zadie Smith, Marilynne Robinson, Jonathan Lethem, Amy Tan) publish books of erudite criticism or essays between fiction releases. In the past few months, I have been asked about my "switch," my "leap," and my "graduation" to fiction. The truth is, I'm pleased to be asked, pleased that the difference between writing essays and novels is being acknowledged. And as I now know what many have known before me, writing a novel is harder. It's harder in almost every way except for the typing (same set of keys, still no spikes on them).
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