A novel is a hefty project that requires serious thought and planning. In the past, writing a book was much less complicated than it is today. The internet wasn’t around, so there weren’t too many people giving advice on how to do it right or wrong.
Nowadays, pretty much anyone can write a book and publish it online or even in stores! But what does that mean for you as an author? How do you know if your idea will work? And how do you make sure that your story isn’t just okay but great?
In this blog post, I’ll share some things I wish someone would have told me before I wrote my first novel.
These tips are things that I’ve learned about the craft of writing by doing it for over ten years now (and still learning). Hopefully, they’ll help guide those of you who may be struggling to get started with your projects!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Understand your target audience |
| 2. Outline your plot and key story elements |
| 3. Develop multi-dimensional characters |
| 4. Research your genre and market |
| 5. Embrace the revision and editing process |
| 6. Create a writing schedule and stick to it |
| 7. Seek feedback from beta readers or peers |
| 8. Read widely within and beyond your genre |
| 9. Be prepared for the challenges of the journey |
| 10. Stay persistent and believe in your story |
Your Favorite Book
What is your favorite book? Why do you like it? What did it teach you about writing/storytelling? How does it influence your style? If there were a sequel, what would you like to see happen in that book?
What made you feel so strongly about this novel that it’s become one of your favorites? Everyone has different tastes and preferences, but what makes this novel stand out from all the rest for you?
Embarking on a novel-writing journey without a clear idea can be daunting, but creativity knows no bounds. Explore our guide on how to write a novel even when you have no idea and unlock your limitless storytelling potential.
Don’t Write The First Novel
You should write short stories before you write a novel. Why? Because when you’re writing a short story, the only thing that’s required of you is to tell an interesting tale in about twenty pages or so. If you can do that, then congratulations!
You’ve got yourself a publisher and can start collecting royalty checks for all those people who enjoyed your story.
But if the idea of writing a fifty thousand word (or more) book scares the crap out of you, then perhaps it’s best to hold off on writing novels until after you’ve gotten some practice under your belt.
Write as many short stories as possible, and get feedback from other writers and editors who like what they see in terms of style and storytelling ability.
Then once you feel comfortable with everything else coming out OK on paper (and hopefully making money), go ahead and take another step towards becoming an established writer: try writing longer works like novellas or novels!
The spark of a captivating story often starts with a single idea. Discover the intriguing process of how novelists generate story ideas and unlock the secrets behind crafting compelling narratives.
Write What You Know
The next thing you need to know is that you should write what you know. You should write about your favorite band, the most delicious meal you’ve ever had, or how much you love driving around listening to music late at night with your windows down.
Maybe it’s not even a real-life experience; maybe there’s something in pop culture that speaks to something deep inside of you and screams for attention on the page.
Maybe it’s just something absurd: imagine a world where people have tiny birds living in their hair! What would happen?
Whatever it is, dive into those feelings and write them down as fully as possible. If it helps, buy some blank pages (like this notebook) or use Microsoft Word or Google Docs so they’re easy to access.
Even when inspiration strikes at an inconvenient time like 2 AM when everyone else has gone to sleep but what if I wake up early tomorrow morning and make coffee and go over there before anyone else gets up so then I can knock on their door?
Instead of sending out an email saying “I’m here now!” because emails are so impersonal compared to knocking on someone’s door.
Because then they look up from whatever book they’re reading because who reads books anymore anyway except for maybe old ladies who live alone but even then
Utilize A Character Who Is A Mix Of Your Personality, People You Know, And Everyone Else’s Inner Demons
Take a moment to think about your favorite characters from any book or movie. Why are they memorable? What makes them so appealing and easy to relate to?
If you ask yourself these questions, the answer probably isn’t that their physical appearance is extraordinary or that they have an incredible superpower. It’s because they have a personality that drives the story forward and makes it interesting.
Character development is essential when writing a novel because characters are what ultimately make a story memorable.
The best way to develop your characters is by creating them from different parts of yourself (your personality), people you know in real life, as well as everyone else’s inner demons.
Embarking on your first novel-writing journey is exhilarating yet challenging. Navigate the path with confidence by checking out our guide on 14 essential things to do when writing your first novel and make your writing process smoother.
Time Is Your Most Valuable Commodity
You need to be able to say no to other things in your life and focus on writing because that’s what matters at this moment.
Setting goals, big and small, is really important something I’ve learned through my own experience of failure and success as an athlete and entrepreneur and so I recommend doing this as early as possible.
Because it can help keep you motivated through those tough times when everything seems overwhelming or hopeless (which will happen).
For example, if you want to write a book per month but can only find time for one every two months, then set one goal of two books per year! Once again: Set realistic expectations!
Having a routine is important too but not just any old routine will do here; rather it needs to be tailored specifically for writing novels so that there are no distractions during peak hours (elevated cortisol levels during certain hours mean better ideas flow into the brain).
You may need less sleep or more exercise than others depending on how long it takes for these changes in hormone levels to occur…so experiment until finding what works best for YOU!
Don’t Let The Perfect Get In The Way Of The Good
I used to be a perfectionist when it came to writing, but I’ve learned that getting something down on paper is more valuable than spending hours editing something that isn’t ready yet.
Sometimes you simply need to write your story without worrying about typos or awkward sentences.
That’s okay! You can always go back and fix those up later. If you don’t have time to write right now, then set aside some time every day (even if it’s only 15 minutes) so that your novel can grow as a whole instead of just bits and pieces here and there over months or years at a time.
Remember That Readers Care About What Happens Next
The second crucial aspect of the story is that readers care about what happens next. Readers need to be engaged in the world you are building and invested in your characters.
So they want to know what will happen next. If a reader doesn’t care about what happens next, they won’t pick up your book again.
This concept applies to all forms of fiction novels, short stories, and poetry; plays like Hamlet; films like Star Wars and The Avengers; TV series like Seinfeld or Breaking Bad—but it’s most obvious in novels where we spend hours getting lost in someone else’s imagined reality.
Part of why I love writing thrillers is because they have such a high-stakes plot with plenty of action and suspense along with complex characters who face difficult choices (and thus create tension). You can do this too!
Navigating the intricate labyrinth of novel writing can be simplified with the right strategies. Dive into our comprehensive guide on simplifying the novel writing process and embark on your storytelling journey with clarity and purpose.
Research Skills Will Come In Handy Later On In Your Career As A Writer
Research skills are so important for novelists. It’s good to get in the habit of doing research early on because it will help you grow as a writer and make your story better.
Researching helps you get to know your characters better. If you don’t know how something works or what someone would do in that sort of situation, then how can you write about it?
You need to be educated enough about everything so that it doesn’t feel fake or like a lie when someone is doing something specific in the story (like speaking with an accent).
Researching helps you get to know your setting better. If there’s no detail put into describing where a character lives or works, then readers might not feel connected with their experience reading through those pages!
Also if something important happens (like maybe they meet their love interest) then we want readers to know exactly what happened at those times too so they can enjoy all the events throughout our stories even more!
Read Outside Of Your Genre
Reading outside of your genre is an essential part of the creative process. If you’re writing a thriller, read some science fiction; if you’re working on a romance novel, try reading something from the mystery genre; if you write YA novels, try some dystopian literature.
You’ll learn more about what makes stories work and how to structure them in ways that appeal to readers.
Reading books that are outside of your comfort zone will also help you make connections between what’s popular right now and how other authors have tackled similar topics in different ways and it might even inspire new ideas!
Writing Isn’t All About Putting Down Words On Paper. Without Research And A Solid Plan, Writing Can Be Time Consuming And Difficult
It’s important to know that there is a lot to learn before you can write a novel. There are many different ways for writers to tackle this task, so don’t be afraid if your method differs from someone else’s; the important thing is that you can write your novel!
You will also likely find yourself doing some research before writing any piece of literature. This may mean reading books on grammar rules.
Or topic-specific information that relates to what you’re working on at the time (such as historical facts). Getting familiar with these resources will help make sure everything flows smoothly when it comes time for publishing your book!
Crafting a novel that captures hearts requires mastering the art of drafting. Explore the keys to creating a note-worthy novel in our guide and unlock the secrets of captivating storytelling.
Conclusion
So, if you’re looking to write a novel, remember that it’s not just about putting down words on paper. It’s also about being organized and having a plan.
This means doing research, outlining your story, and creating an outline for each chapter of your book so that everything flows smoothly together as you’re writing it all down.
The best part? You don’t have to do this alone! We’ve got all kinds of resources available here at WritingPromptsGreetings which will help guide you through every step along the way – from choosing whether or not writing is for you at all; to getting started today!
Further Reading
Tips for Starting to Write a Novel: Gain valuable insights on how to begin your novel-writing journey and overcome common challenges.
How to Write a Book: Explore a comprehensive guide on writing a book, covering everything from crafting characters to structuring your narrative.
How to Write a Novel: Discover essential tips and techniques to help you navigate the process of writing a novel effectively.
FAQs
How do I get started with writing a novel?
Embarking on your novel-writing journey requires a solid foundation. Consider outlining your plot, developing your characters, and finding a writing routine that suits your style.
What are some key elements of a successful novel?
A successful novel often features well-developed characters, a compelling plot, immersive settings, and a unique voice that resonates with readers.
How can I stay motivated throughout the novel-writing process?
Staying motivated involves setting achievable goals, celebrating small victories, seeking inspiration from other authors, and reminding yourself of the impact your story can have.
How do I overcome writer’s block while writing my novel?
Writer’s block is common but can be overcome by taking breaks, changing your writing environment, trying freewriting exercises, and outlining your story to regain direction.
What should I do once I’ve finished writing my novel?
After completing your novel, take time to revise and edit your work. Consider seeking feedback from beta readers or joining writing communities for valuable insights before pursuing publication.
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.