'Being Written: A Novel' by William Conescu is a metafictional exploration of the writing process, where the main character, Daniel, is aware that he is a character in a book being written by someone else. The story delves into Daniel's struggles to be more than just a minor character in the narrative, his desire to become the hero, and his attempts to influence the author's direction. The novel presents a unique premise of a character hearing the scratching of a pencil whenever the author is writing about him, adding a layer of self-awareness and control within the story. The writing style is described as twisty, unconventional, and engaging, with occasional chapters from different characters' perspectives adding depth to the narrative.

Characters:

Characters are depicted as realistic, with the protagonist striving for significance, yet often feeling superficial.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is competent with creative narrative techniques, including a metafictional approach.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot involves a character aware of his minor role trying to influence the author for a bigger part, with narrative twists and metafictional elements.

Setting:

The setting is contemporary, focusing on the lives and relationships of millennials in urban environments.

Pacing:

Pacing is considered slow by some readers, with a lack of action impacting overall engagement.

Notes:

The main character, Daniel, knows he is a minor character in a story being written by an author.

Daniel can hear the scratching of the pencil when the author writes about him.

He desires to become more than just a background character and hopes to get the girl.

The book is considered metafiction, as it explores the writing process and character awareness.

The narrative occasionally switches perspectives between different characters and uses second person for Daniel's parts.

A significant plot development occurs two-thirds into the story, involving a reference to Chekhov's gun.

The writing style is described as competent but the characters felt unengaging to some readers.

There are explicit and degrading sex scenes which may not appeal to all readers.

The story can be seen as a fractured relationship drama with themes of self-awareness and character agency.

The book leaves readers contemplating their own life stories after reading.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book contains medium-level content warnings, including explicit sexual content and themes of mental disturbance.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance, particularly focused on Daniel's pursuit of Delia.

From The Publisher:

Daniel Fischer has a secret. He knows he's a character in a book that's being written. He's the only one who knows, the only one who's aware of the author's presence-but what good does it do Daniel? He's just a minor character. The author seems much more interested in other people's lives. Now Daniel is determined to win a bigger part, and he'll do whatever it takes to get the author's attention and make this story his own.

Suspenseful, subversive, and hilarious, Being Written is an audaciously inventive literary turn that gleefully calls into question who we trust, what we believe, and how the stories of our lives are created.

What can you read after
Being Written: A Novel?

About the Author:

William Conescu's short stories have appeared in The Gettysburg Review, New Letters, Green Mountains Review, and other publications. He lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Being Written is his first novel.

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Being Written: A Novel

William Conescu