Creating a novel is not as difficult as it seems. If you know what you’re doing, half an ounce of planning can save you tons of time and energy. And if you don’t know what you’re doing?
Well, then we’ll help with that too! I’ve written three novels in the last two years one took me 30 days from start to finish and another took about 60 days;
The third took about 80 days but was also my most successful and rewarding project yet. Here are some tips for making your novel happen:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Set clear goals and a writing schedule. |
| 2. Prioritize quantity over quality initially. |
| 3. Break down your novel into manageable segments. |
| 4. Use writing tools and software to streamline work. |
| 5. Embrace the drafting process and save editing for later. |
Avoid The Pitfalls That Hold You Back
Don’t get bogged down in research: Let’s face it, research can be fun and can help us to create a richer world for our characters to inhabit. But if we’re not careful, too much of this can distract us from getting words on the page. And that’s what matters most!
Don’t wait until you have a perfect idea before you start writing: The best ideas are those born from our own experiences and observations and often, the best ones come when we least expect them!
So don’t wait until your imagination is completely clear before putting fingers on the keyboard (or pen) and letting those ideas flow freely so they don’t slip away forever into the ethers of time past…
Don’t wait until you have a perfect plot before writing your novel: Every plot has tons of holes in need of filling! That’s why it’s important not only to think about where things might go wrong or cause frustration for yourself later on down the road when editing (for example).
But also how these problems could be solved creatively as well – especially since there may be ways around them which would make for better stories overall than just going through with whatever initial idea popped into mind first thing upon waking up each morning.
(Note: If this happens often enough over several days then chances are good there might be something wrong with either how much sleep we’re getting at night or perhaps even worse – maybe something serious like depression.)
Finding success as a writer requires dedication and skill. Our article on Top 10 Tips for the Aspiring Novel Writer offers valuable insights to help you on your journey.
Most Novels Are Written In Three Acts
The three-act structure is a useful guide for writers. It helps you to structure your novel, think about where you are in the story and what comes next, and figure out where you want to end up.
Act 1: The first act of your novel should introduce all of your characters, establish their relationships with one another, show what type of world they live in (the setting), and have something terrible happen so that there’s a reason for them to go on their journey.
Act 2: In this section, the protagonist will learn something important while trying to achieve his or her goal. He or she should also come closer to realizing why he or she needs what he or she wants so badly something called “an inciting incident.”
This is usually a point where everything changes for someone because they realize something hasn’t been right all along (or at least since Act 1).
This might be when the protagonist has an epiphany about himself/herself after meeting someone new who opens his/her eyes up to other possibilities (a mentor).
Or maybe it’s when someone very close dies unexpectedly which makes him/her question everything in life? Whatever happens during this part of Act 2 will determine whether or not our protagonist has what it takes to reach his/her goal(s).
Think About Your Story As A Journey, Not A Series Of Events
When you start a project, you always have more than one option for where to take it. The easiest way is to keep the same characters but in a different setting or period.
The second-easiest way is to change the plot of your story. And finally, you could use the same characters and situation but set it in an entirely different world or period from before.
For example: if the first book was about elves living in Middle Earth during the Third Age (approximately 3200 years before Frodo Baggins’s birth), then maybe your second book could be about elves living on Earth during World War II!
Of course, this doesn’t mean that there are only three ways to approach writing novels; it just means that these are three common paths when considering how much freedom writers have when starting with new stories.
Overcoming obstacles in novel writing is essential for progress. Discover how to maintain momentum with strategies for pushing through writing challenges in the midst of your creative process.
Sometimes Use A Prop To Represent Something In Your Story That’s Missing Or Has Changed
Sometimes use a prop to represent something in your story that’s missing or has changed. For example, an old wallet can help you visualize the memory of lost love. Or a photo album can help you remember the past.
If you want to write and be read, you need to immerse yourself into your story as much as possible by using all five senses: sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. If something is missing from your narrative a certain setting or plot point then use props to fill in those gaps!
Ask Yourself Questions That Will Make Your Characters Nervous
When you write a scene, ask yourself questions that will make your characters nervous. Let’s say you have a character who has been struggling to find balance in his life.
He is trying to get back on track after his divorce and being fired from his job, but he’s getting burned out by the daily grind of going to work and working out at the gym every day.
Ask yourself what would be the worst thing that could happen to this character in this situation. What would be so terrible for him that it would shake up all of his current habits? For example: What if he gets injured while exercising at the gym or gets tired of working out every day?
Or what if he meets someone new who makes him feel like quitting altogether? Anything like this might be enough to give him pause and reconsider his routine so far.
Another way is by asking yourself what is the worst thing your character could do right now.
Maybe your main character wants nothing more than some time alone with her husband but finds herself spending all her free time watching TV with her best friend instead (who happens also happens to be single).
Ask yourself how she might react if one night she met an attractive man at a bar would she go home with him or send texts all night long until morning came around again so she could sneak some rest away from her friend?
Start With Your Character’s Dilemma
The first step to writing a novel in 30 days or less is to come up with your character’s dilemma. What is your main character’s conflict? How does it manifest itself? What obstacles are in front of them?
This might seem like common sense, but it’s surprising how many people just dive into their plots without taking the time to flesh out what kind of character they want to write about and why.
When you start with a compelling story idea, all sorts of details will naturally arise; making sure those characters are believable and relatable will help readers stay engaged throughout the entire process.
Characters are the heart of any novel. Learn how to delve deeper into their personas with techniques outlined in our guide on learning new things about your characters to make your story more captivating.
Throw Away The Three-Act Structure If It Doesn’t Do Justice To Your Story
The three-act structure is a good starting point and should be used as a guide, but it’s not the only way to write a novel.
If the three-act structure doesn’t work for you or your story, don’t use it. If using the three-act structure helps you move forward with your writing, then by all means use it but don’t feel like you have to stick with it for every scene or chapter that follows.
The best way to determine which structure works best for each project is trial and error: write at least two chapters in different ways (with Act I being broken into sections, without Acts II and III), then choose which one felt more natural and helped keep you on track.
As You Write, Be Aware Of How Much Time It Takes For Action To Happen And Scenes To Progress
Before you begin writing, spend some time planning your novel and learning how to pace scenes. Pace refers to how quickly or slowly your characters move through their stories.
In general, long periods of slow pace are more effective for drawing out suspense or building tension than short bursts of fast pace that only serve to heighten a scene.
When it comes to pacing, keep these tips in mind:
Make sure your scenes are not too long, but also don’t make them too short either; the ideal length is about two pages (about 1,000 words). This will give readers time enough for reflection and analysis while still keeping them interested in what happens next in the storyline.
If you find yourself writing very long scenes, consider breaking them up into smaller ones so that they don’t drag on unnecessarily or get boring for readers who might otherwise enjoy it!
Using descriptions of physical surroundings (e.g., where characters stand), as well as sensory descriptions (e.g., the smell of the coffee brewing), along with dialogue between characters, are good ways of revealing more about what’s going on inside each character’s head.
While also moving us closer toward where we want them all headed together at some point during our book’s plot arc–which usually ends sometime around page 100-150 depending on genre type(s).
Ensuring your novel’s plot remains engaging and coherent is crucial. Explore our advice on how to avoid the 9 most common plot holes that can arise in your writing, helping you create a compelling narrative.
Focus On The Details Of Your Setting, Instead Of Trying To Describe Every Little Thing About It
The setting is an important part of any story. It can create a sense of place, establish context and mood, develop character traits, reveal backstory, and provide motivation for characters’ actions.
But how do you go about describing your setting in a way that makes it relevant to the story?
Rather than trying to describe every little thing about your setting (and ending up with pages of description), focus on making sure the reader understands the experience of being there; what does it look like? How does it smell?
What does it feel like when you walk down those streets or run through those woods? What sounds do you hear when things get quiet in that coffee shop?
Do people wear clothes like this where they’re from? What kind of food is served at restaurants here (or do they even have restaurants)?
Taking your novel from creation to publication involves a strategic approach. Check out our resource on writing a novel and getting it published for guidance on the path toward sharing your work with the world.
Conclusion
Writing a novel is a daunting task. But it doesn’t have to be so difficult if you keep these tips in mind.
Remember that your story doesn’t need to adhere strictly to the three-act structure or follow any one formula you may find that it helps if you break away from these conventions and write freely!
As long as you keep track of how much time passes between events in each scene, follow the basic principles outlined above (and feel free to make up your own), then there will be no reason why anyone should say ‘no’ when they hear how quickly this book came together.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources that can provide you with further insights and tips on writing a novel in 30 days or less:
30 Tips for Writing a Book in 30 Days Learn from Writer’s Digest about effective strategies and techniques to tackle the challenge of writing a book within a tight timeframe.
How to Write a Novel in 30 Days WikiHow provides step-by-step instructions and practical advice to guide you through the process of crafting a novel in just 30 days.
Write a Book in 30 Days Explore Book Riot’s article for creative insights and motivation to help you achieve your goal of completing a book within a month.
FAQs
How can I maintain my motivation throughout the writing process?
Staying motivated requires setting clear goals, creating a routine, and reminding yourself of your passion for writing.
What should I do if I encounter writer’s block during the 30-day writing challenge?
To overcome writer’s block, take short breaks, change your writing environment, or focus on a different scene to reignite your creativity.
Is it possible to write a quality novel within such a short timeframe?
Yes, it’s possible, but it might require intense dedication, careful planning, and efficient time management.
How do I balance quality and quantity while writing a novel quickly?
Prioritize getting your ideas down first and worry about refinement during the editing phase. Quantity can lead to insights that improve quality.
Are there specific tools or software that can assist me in this process?
Several writing software tools, like Scrivener and Novlr, offer features to help you organize your writing, track progress, and stay on schedule.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.