Writing your first novel is an exciting, sometimes overwhelming journey. I know, I’ve been there. The idea of crafting an entire book can be scary, we always find a good excuse not to start. But with the right approach and mindset, you can navigate the process with confidence. These tips will help you find some clarity.
Find Your Why
Before you start writing, it’s essential to understand why you’re writing in the first place. Finding your “why” can help keep you motivated and focused throughout the entire process. For me, it was the challenge, I wanted to see how far I could go.
Are you writing to tell a story that’s been in your mind for years? Do you want to share a personal experience or message with the world? Maybe you just love writing and want to see where it takes you.
Knowing your purpose can also help guide you during moments of doubt. Writing a novel is no small task, and there will be times when you feel stuck or unsure. Reminding yourself of why you started in the first place will provide the drive to push through those obstacles.
Start with an Idea
Every novel begins with a spark, an idea. The concept doesn’t have to be fully fleshed out from the start, but it should be something that excites you. This could be a specific plot, an interesting character, a compelling setting, or a theme that resonates deeply with you.
It’s helpful to ask yourself: what story do I want to tell? Think about the genre, the conflict, and the overall journey you want your characters to take. If you're stuck for ideas, try brainstorming or looking to your own experiences for inspiration.
No matter where the idea comes from, make sure it’s something that inspires you, because you'll be spending a lot of time with it!
Outline Before Writing
While some writers thrive on the spontaneity of jumping into a story with little planning, outlining can save you a lot of time and frustration down the road. In my case, I outline like crazy before I even start writing a word.
An outline doesn’t have to be a detailed chapter-by-chapter breakdown (though it can be if you prefer), but having a general roadmap of where your story is going can help you stay on track.
Think of your outline as a guide for major plot points, character arcs, and world-building details. It doesn’t need to be rigid, and it can evolve as you write, but knowing the key events and turning points in your story gives you a clear direction. Plus, an outline can help prevent writer’s block by keeping the plot moving forward.
Create Your Characters
Characters are the heart of your story. Before you start writing, spend time developing your main characters and secondary players. Who are they? What do they want? What are their flaws, fears, and motivations? I created a character’s workbook to help you with that.
Your characters’ goals and conflicts will drive the plot, so understanding their personalities will help you create a more engaging story. As you create them, think about their backgrounds, relationships with other characters, and how they evolve over the course of the novel.
Don’t be afraid to allow your characters to surprise you along the way. They might take on new traits or develop in ways you didn’t expect, but that’s part of the magic of storytelling.
Set Realistic Goals
Writing a novel is a long-term commitment, and it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the enormity of the task. Setting realistic and achievable goals is key to making steady progress without burning out.
Break down your novel-writing journey into smaller, manageable steps. Start by setting a word count goal for each writing session or day. For example, you might aim to write 500 or 1,000 words each day or week. Tracking your progress can provide a sense of accomplishment, even on days when writing feels difficult.
You should also set milestones for completing drafts or finishing specific sections, like the first 10 chapters or the final plot twist. Setting small goals will keep you motivated and make the process feel less like a chore.
Start Writing
It’s easy to get caught up in planning, outlining, and perfecting your ideas, but at some point, you simply have to start writing. Don’t wait for the perfect time or perfect idea—just begin. The act of writing itself will teach you more about your story, your characters, and your style than any amount of preparation can.
You might feel intimidated by the blank page, but remember that the first draft doesn’t have to be perfect. In fact, it won’t be! What matters is that you begin. Even on days when it feels like you’re not making much progress, keep going. The important thing is to get words down on the page.
Embrace the First Draft
Your first draft is your opportunity to get your ideas out of your head and onto paper, and it’s okay if it’s messy. Don’t expect it to be flawless. In fact, the first draft is often full of imperfections, inconsistencies, and rough sections—but that’s exactly what it’s supposed to be.
Embrace the messiness of the first draft and give yourself permission to write without worrying about perfection. You’ll have plenty of time to revise later.
The key is to keep moving forward, knowing that you can clean things up during the editing process. The goal of the first draft is simply to finish the story. You can always revise and improve it later.
Edit and Revise
Once you’ve completed your first draft, it’s time to revise. Editing is where the real magic happens—this is when you take your rough ideas and shape them into a cohesive, polished story.
One warning though ! Expect to make significant changes during this stage. You might cut scenes, add new ones, change character arcs, or even shift the entire plot.
Start by reviewing the big picture : are the characters’ motivations clear? Does the plot flow logically? Are there any inconsistencies or holes in the story?
Once you’ve tackled these broader questions, get into the finer details: grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. Don’t rush through this process—give yourself time to reflect on each revision.
It’s also a good idea to get feedback from others. Whether it’s a trusted friend, writing group, or professional editor, external feedback can give you new perspectives and highlight areas that need improvement.
30-DAYS NOVEL PLANNER
