Field’s guide to writing novels

Patrick R. Field, R’86, didn’t plan to become a novelist. But after 26 years teaching neuroscience, he traded the professor’s podium for a pen.

Field brings a scientist’s eye to his creative process, conducting thorough research much in the vein of when he wrote case studies as an academic. “My human characters follow real-world rules,” he says. “No exceptions, no alternative facts.”

Field’s first step is a walking meditation followed by a stream-of-consciousness-style writing session.

Step 2: Bring out the academic. “The scientist in me makes sure that everything makes logical sense.”

After that comes dialogue, sometimes accompanied by a change of scenery for Field. “I’m absolutely that writer who sits at Starbucks with a coffee and writes,” he says with a laugh. “Then it’s like rain, and I’ll have, like, three pages of dialogue,” which he weaves into the story.

Above all, he encourages persistence. “The business is full of rejection and struggle,” Field says, “but if your heart is in it, you should go for it. I only wish I would have started earlier in life.”

With each new book, Field is fine-tuning his system and discovering a growing audience. “I hope I don’t tear up as I tell you this, but every day is something new and miraculous and rewarding. I want to leave the reader with a message: ‘Enjoy the journey.’”