I’ve been writing novels for my entire adult life, and I’m still not sure how to put them together. Here’s what I do know:
Writing a novel is hard work; it takes time; you’ll probably have to start over several times before you get it right, and there are some strange similarities between writing novels and raising children. If you’re interested in learning how to write one of your own, read on!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Start with a clear idea for your novel. |
| 2. Create relatable characters readers can connect with. |
| 3. Outline the main plot points before you begin writing. |
| 4. Set aside dedicated time for writing regularly. |
| 5. Don’t worry about perfection in the first draft. |
| 6. Embrace the editing process to refine your work. |
| 7. Read widely to expand your writing horizons. |
| 8. Seek feedback from peers or writing groups. |
| 9. Stay persistent and committed to your writing goals. |
| 10. Remember that every writer’s journey is unique. |
A Good Book Defies Categorization
This is important to know when starting as a writer, because you may have trouble finding your audience at first. It’s easy to get discouraged when people don’t see what makes your story special or why they should read it.
They might even tell you that they prefer watching movies or listening to music or reading other kinds of books (or all three).
But remember: Those are just different mediums in which stories are told. You don’t have to do anything differently if someone wants the story told another way just be open-minded!
If you’re struggling to take that first step into the world of creative writing, you’re not alone. Discover actionable strategies in our guide on ways to get your creative plunge off the ground and embark on your writing journey with confidence.
A Lot Of Books Are Written On Medication
A lot of books are written on medication. Many novelists write while they’re under the influence of a variety of drugs, including amphetamines and opioids.
Medication can help you stay awake, calm down and focus on your work without getting distracted. If you’re struggling to get words out promptly, consider finding some kind of treatment that will allow you to be more productive in your writing process.
Learn How To Put A Story Together By Studying Movies
Movies are a great way to learn how to tell a story.
If you have friends who love movies and TV, you probably hear them talking about the latest movie they saw or show they binge-watched.
If you have no idea what they’re talking about, it might seem silly that people would spend so much time discussing something that isn’t real but there is value in watching movies. One of my favorite ways to learn how to plot and structure stories is by studying movies!
Don’t Describe Every Little Detail – That’s What The Reader Is There For
You should also avoid describing every little detail. That’s what your readers are there for. Instead, focus on the important things and let them fill in the rest! Let’s say you write about a person walking through their house;
You don’t need to describe every piece of furniture or item in their home, because it would take away from your main story. Instead, choose what is most important the details that will give readers an idea of who this character is. For example:
- A small fire burns in a fireplace
- The floor creaks as they step on it
- They open the fridge and grab some milk
Becoming a skilled creative writer requires consistent effort and dedication. Explore our article detailing 17 things I can do to improve my creative writing skills to discover practical tips for honing your craft.
There May Be More Than One Way To Write A Novel, But Yours Isn’t It
When you’re writing your first novel, some things are just going to feel right. You might have a good idea of how you want your story to unfold and what kind of character development will lead up to the climax.
And maybe even what happens after that! But there’s also going to be plenty of room for experimentation and revision.
It’s easy when we’re starting out as writers and even later in our careers to get attached to our ideas.
Because they seem so perfect or unique or interesting or whatever other compliment-adjectives we use when we’re trying not to admit that something isn’t working out as well as we’d hoped it would.
Don’t be afraid of changing your mind about these kinds of things: if something doesn’t work, change it! It’s much better than forcing yourself through a draft until you reach an ending that doesn’t make sense because everything got jumbled along the way.
And if all else fails…well…you’ll still feel good knowing that no one has read any of this yet anyway!
A Novel Probably Isn’t A Good Idea For Your First Book
If you are a writer, then writing a novel is likely one of the first things that come to mind. It’s a big project and can take years to complete. But if you have never written a book before, it may not be your best choice for your first book.
If you are an aspiring author who wants to write their first book but aren’t sure what kind of work would be best for them, other options don’t require as much time and effort as writing an entire novel does.
If this sounds like something that might interest you:
Overcoming writer’s block is an essential skill for any writer. Don’t let it hinder your progress. Learn how to leverage writer’s block as a creative opportunity with insights from our post on how to take a writer’s block and use it as an opportunity to improvise.
Don’t Give Up The Day Job Until The Novel Starts Selling!
Don’t give up your day job until the novel starts selling!
I’m serious. You don’t want to be sitting on your couch with a bunch of bills that you can’t pay and no way to make money because you’re a writer. It’s not as glamorous as it sounds: writing is hard work, especially if you’re doing it for the first time.
Successful writers know this, which is why they have other jobs or are supported by their parents until their first book comes out and begins making some money.
If your novel doesn’t sell well right away (and let’s face it: most books don’t), then having another source of income will help keep food on the table while you revise or publish another project.
Ideas Come From Other Books, So Read Lots Of Them
If you want to write a novel, read lots of books. You may be thinking that this isn’t very helpful advice, but it’s worth repeating: read books. Lots of them.
There are two main reasons for this. First, reading other people’s stories will give you ideas and inspiration for your work. Second, reading will improve your writing skills.
Every writer can benefit from refining their skills. Uncover hidden techniques and approaches in our article on 12 secrets to becoming a better writer that will elevate your creative writing to new heights.
There’s No Substitute For Hard Work
When you’re starting, it’s tempting to think that getting better at writing is all about time and that if you just spent more hours in front of your computer, you’d be writing great books in no time.
But while hard work is a necessary component of writing success, there’s no substitute for practice and effort on your part.
You can’t just sit around and expect to get better just because you want it enough or feel like it would be nice if things were different you have to put in the time and make sacrifices for your story ideas to become actual stories that people will read.
Read Something You Admire Aloud To Yourself
Reading a book aloud is an excellent way to see where your writing could use some improvement. It’s a lot easier to hear how bad you are when you’re reading it in front of someone, or even just to yourself.
If there are parts that don’t make sense, or that seem like they’re missing words or sentences, read them out loud. You’ll be able to hear where there’s something off with the flow of your story.
You can even try reading the same thing out loud several times and see what happens if you change it up each time! You might find that one version flows much better than another (or maybe all of them will work).
You Might Need To Kill Your Darlings, Even If You Don’t Want To
It’s not just a clichéd phrase from one of those books you’ve heard about. You really should be thinking about killing your darlings when editing. That means cutting out parts of your novel that you like, even if they’re good and make sense in context.
If it doesn’t fit with the rest of the book, then it might not serve any purpose there at all and that’s okay! Don’t be afraid to cut out characters who you love, or entire subplots from your story if they aren’t working well enough for you either.
Remember: no one will see these cuts except for you and maybe some trusted beta readers. They won’t know what’s missing unless they happen to read an earlier draft later on down the road (which some people do).
Learning from experiences is a valuable part of the writing journey. Dive into our insights on learnings about novel writing from my first attempt to gain wisdom and inspiration for your own novel-writing endeavors.
Conclusion
When you’re ready to start writing, it can be a good idea to think about what kind of book you want to write. Do you have an idea that’s so original nobody’s ever done anything like it before?
If so, then maybe your first novel should be something else entirely – a book that doesn’t require much research but still feels fresh and new. If all else fails (and trust me, it will).
Then just remember that there are plenty of other ways for aspiring writers to get their foot in the door without having to jump straight into something too big or difficult for them at this stage: maybe start with short stories or poetry collections instead!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to help you enhance your novel-writing skills:
7 Tips for Writing Novels People Want to Read: Explore these practical tips to create compelling novels that capture readers’ attention.
Ten Rules for Writing Fiction – Part One: Delve into the advice of experienced authors as they share their insights into the craft of writing fiction.
How to Start Writing Your Novel: Learn effective techniques to kickstart your novel-writing process and turn your ideas into a captivating story.
FAQs
How can I improve my novel-writing skills?
Improving your novel-writing skills involves consistent practice, studying the craft, and seeking feedback from peers and mentors. Engaging with writing prompts and reading diverse genres can also broaden your perspective.
What are some common rules for writing fiction?
Common rules for writing fiction include creating relatable characters, building engaging plots, showing rather than telling, and maintaining a consistent narrative voice. Remember that rules can be broken for artistic reasons, but understanding them is crucial.
How do I start writing my novel?
Starting your novel requires a clear idea of your story’s premise, characters, and setting. Begin by outlining your plot or creating a rough structure. Set aside dedicated time to write regularly and embrace the editing process later.
What makes a novel compelling to readers?
A compelling novel captures readers’ emotions and keeps them engaged throughout the journey. Strong characters with relatable motivations, a well-paced plot filled with tension and conflict, and vivid descriptions of settings can contribute to a compelling narrative.
How do I overcome writer’s block while working on a novel?
Writer’s block can be overcome by trying different writing exercises, taking breaks, exploring new environments, and revisiting your outline. Sometimes, simply writing without worrying about perfection can help break through the block.
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.