Learn Hardcore Japanese: syousetuka ha syousetu wo kakimasu.

The actual doer of the action (subject in English terms) is understood from context; in this sentence, it’s the same as the topic 小説家. But Japanese separates the idea of topic (what we’re talking about) from subject (who does the verb), and は marks the topic.

Why is は written with the hiragana は but pronounced “wa”?

This is an irregular historical spelling.

The particle は is pronounced “wa” when it’s used as the topic marker.
When は is part of a normal word, it’s pronounced “ha” (for example, はな = hana).

Japanese kept some old spellings for particles:

は (written) → pronounced wa (topic marker)
へ (written) → pronounced e (direction marker)
を (written) → pronounced o (object marker)

So you have to memorize that the topic particle は is read wa.

What does を do after 小説?

を marks the direct object of the verb – the thing the action is done to.

小説 = novel / novels
小説を = novel(s) as the object of the verb

So:

小説を = (someone) writes novels
The action 書きます (to write) is done to 小説 (novels).

In short, を tells you what is being written.

Why is the word order 小説家は小説を書きます and not like English “writes novels a novelist”?

Japanese has a different basic word order from English:

English: Subject – Verb – Object
- The novelist writes novels.
Japanese: Topic – (Subject) – Object – Verb
- 小説家は小説を書きます。

Key points:

The verb almost always comes at the end.
Particles like は and を show the grammatical role (topic, object), so word order is more flexible than in English.
As long as the verb is last, you can sometimes move other parts around, but 小説家は小説を書きます is the most natural, basic order.

What is the difference between 書きます and the dictionary form 書く?

They are different forms of the same verb.

書く = dictionary/plain form, used in:
- dictionaries
- casual speech with friends/family
- informal writing
書きます = polite -ます form, used in:
- polite conversation
- talking to strangers, teachers, customers, etc.
- most beginner textbooks

Both mean “to write”, but 書きます sounds more polite/formal than 書く.

How do I know if this means “the novelist writes a novel” or “novelists write novels” or “a novelist writes novels”?

Japanese usually does not mark singular vs. plural or a/the like English.

小説家は小説を書きます。 can mean, depending on context:

A novelist writes novels.
The novelist writes novels.
Novelists write novels.
A novelist writes a novel.
etc.

The sentence itself only tells you role (novelist, novel) and action (write).
Number (singular/plural) and definiteness (a/the) are filled in by context.

Is there any subject pronoun like “he” or “she” in this sentence?

No, there is no explicit pronoun.

Japanese often omits pronouns if they are clear from context.
In this sentence, 小説家は (as for the novelist) functions as the topic and also tells you who is doing the action.
You could say, for example, 彼は小説を書きます。 (He writes novels.), but usually Japanese omits 彼 (he) if the person is obvious.

So the subject is understood: (The) novelist(s) write(s) novels, but it’s not stated as he/she/they.

What is the nuance difference between 小説家は小説を書きます and 小説家が小説を書きます?

Both are grammatically correct, but the nuance changes.

小説家は小説を書きます。
- は = topic marker.
- Meaning: As for the novelist(s), (they) write novels.
- It presents novelists in general or a previously known novelist, giving information about them.
- Often used for general statements or descriptions.
小説家が小説を書きます。
- が = subject marker.
- Meaning: It is the novelist who writes novels. / The novelist writes novels (as opposed to someone else).
- Stronger focus on who is doing the action.
- Often used to introduce the subject or to contrast with someone else (e.g., Not the editor; the novelist is the one who writes novels).

At beginner level, you will most often see the は version for this kind of generic statement.

Is 小説家 the only way to say “writer”? What about 作家?

Both exist, but they have different nuances.

小説家 (しょうせつか)
- Literally: novel + -er
- Means specifically a novelist (someone who writes novels).
作家 (さっか)
- Literally: creator + -er
- Often used for writers/authors in a broader sense: novelists, sometimes essayists, etc.
- In practice, many people also use 作家 to mean “novelist.”

So:

小説家は小説を書きます。 – A/the novelist writes novels. (very specific)
作家は本を書きます。 – A/the writer writes books. (more general)

How polite is 書きます? When would I use 書きます vs 書く in real life?

書きます is the standard polite form; 書く is plain/casual.

Use 書きます when:

Talking to strangers, teachers, bosses, customers
In shops, at work, in formal situations
In most beginner-level speech and writing practice

Use 書く when:

Talking with close friends or family (same age or younger)
Writing informal messages, diaries, etc.
Reading manga, novels, or casual online posts (you’ll see it a lot)

The sentence in textbooks tends to use 書きます because it is safe and polite.

Could I leave out 小説 or 小説家 and still have a correct sentence?

Yes, Japanese often omits things when they’re understood from context.

Examples:

If it’s clear you’re talking about a novelist:
- 小説家は小説を書きます。 → First mention.
  Later, you might just say:
- 小説を書きます。 – He/She writes novels. (novelist already understood)
If it’s clear you’re talking about novels:
- Someone asks, What does a novelist do?
  You could answer:
- 小説家は書きます。 – A novelist writes. (novels is understood)

However, 小説家は小説を書きます。 is the full, clear version with nothing omitted.

How would I say “A novelist writes three novels” using this sentence as a base?

You add a counter for “three” and place it with 小説:

三冊 (さんさつ) is the counter for three bound volumes (books).

So:

小説家は小説を三冊書きます。
= A/the novelist writes three novels.

Word-by-word:

小説家は – As for the novelist,
小説を – novels (as object),
三冊 – three (volumes),
書きます – writes.

The counter phrase (like 三冊) usually goes just before the verb or after the object; both 小説を三冊書きます and 三冊小説を書きます can appear, but the first is more common.