If you’re like most people, you have a book or two in you. Maybe you’ve been thinking about an idea or a genre for many years, and you’ve finally decided that you understand enough about the concept you want to write on or the plot to finally open your word processor and get started. Unfortunately, this can feel overwhelming. The good news is that there are some novel writing tips that can help you gat starting in writing your novel, keep you motivated and help you finish your first draft. Let’s take a look at the novel writing tips that can help you navigate the process and turn your creative ideas into a compelling story.
1. Start with a Strong Idea
Every novel begins with an idea. It could be a character, a setting, or a plot twist that sparks your imagination. Spend some time brainstorming and refining your initial concept. Most writers can write at least a paragraph or a few pages with just a concept. To keep going on your novel writing dream, ask yourself questions while you write, like:
- What would happen if my character did this?
- What happens next? (This one I use a lot, since I don’t write with an outline on the majority of my books.)
- Why does this scene or action happen? What are the consequences of this action?
- These questions can help you develop a robust foundation for your story.
If you’re short on ideas but want to explore some concepts, a writing prompt book, like 31 Days of Impossible Writing Prompts, can help you.
2. Develop a Rough Outline
If you’re just getting started, you may do well to create a very loose outline. The problem with outlines is that once you finish them, the story tends to deviate greatly due to unexpected character reactions that turn the story into something else or take it in a direction that you didn’t anticipate. This is great because you can be surprised and intrigued by your own story, and these little misadventures can serve to add depth and interest for both you and your reader. However, when you’re just starting, jotting down a few chapter ideas can be extremely helpful.
It’s important to note that a fiction novel outline doesn’t have to be detailed. It can be a simple roadmap that guides you through the main events and key turning points in your story. This ensures you have a clear direction and can help prevent writer's block or a loss of words and direction. If you’re wondering if you should preplan your novel or not, I’ve written on the subject in detail.
3. Create Compelling Characters
Characters are the heart of any novel. Spend time developing your protagonists and antagonists. Think about their motivations, backgrounds and personalities. Give them strengths and weaknesses, making them relatable and multi-dimensional. The more you know about your characters, the more authentic your story will feel. However, when creating characters, it’s important not to go into too much detail. You need to know their gender, motivations, primary physical characteristics and their job. If you get too detailed, you may waste a lot of time creating character backgrounds and thoughts and whatnot rather than writing your novel.
4. Set a Writing Schedule
One of the most practical novel writing tips is to set a regular writing schedule. Consistency is key. Determine how much time you can realistically dedicate to writing each day or week and stick to it. Whether it’s 30 minutes a day or a few hours on weekends, regular writing will help you build momentum. The writers that I know often write either early in the morning before breakfast when their family is still asleep or late at night after everyone has gone to bed. You just need to pick a quiet where you can sit with your thoughts and type.
5. Write First, Edit Later
During the first draft, your primary goal is to get your ideas down on paper. Don’t worry about perfection. Resist the urge to edit as you go. Allow yourself to write freely and creatively. You can always come back to revise and polish your work later.
Many beginning writers fail in this stage because they write a paragraph or page then read it. Then, they decide they hate it and rewrite it. Then, they decide the words are not perfect and they spend an exorbitant amount of time finding the right words for each sentence. I’m just going to be blunt here, your readers don’t care if you used, ran, hopped, jumped, skipped or whatever else word for someone moving toward to a location, and for god’s sake, don’t break out a thesaurus. Your working vocabulary is probably higher than the average reader’s already. Go with the words you know. It doesn’t need to read like a doctoral essay.
6. Embrace Writer’s Block
Writer's block is a common challenge, even for seasoned authors. When you hit a creative wall, take a break, go for a walk, run on a treadmill, make a snack, watch some TV or work on a different scene in your manuscript. Just because you’re not actively working on your novel doesn’t mean that you’re not thinking about it. Lots of writers come up with ideas and solutions while doing weird things, like cleaning the house, taking a shower, walking the dog or even making a sandwich. You don’t need to sit at your computer and stare at the screen like a zombie. Although, I’ve seen that advice given in various forms.
7. Read Regularly
If you’ve never been an avid reader, you’ll need to read books, and you need to go beyond the classics, unless your genre is literary. Reading widely in your genre and beyond can improve your writing skills. Pay attention to how authors structure their stories, develop characters and build tension. Reading also helps you stay inspired and informed about current trends in literature.
8. Use Writing Prompts
If you're struggling to get started, writing prompts can be a great way to ignite your creativity. Prompts can help you explore new ideas and push the boundaries of your imagination. Set a timer and write whatever comes to mind without worrying about grammar or structure.
9. Stay Positive and Patient
Writing a novel is a long journey that requires patience and perseverance. Celebrate your progress, no matter how small. Keep a positive mindset and remind yourself why you started writing in the first place. Your passion and dedication will see you through to the end.
10. Seek Feedback
Once you have a complete draft, seek feedback from trusted friends, family, or writing mentors. Constructive criticism can help you identify areas for improvement and strengthen your story. Be open to suggestions but also trust your instincts as a writer. Your local college may also have creative writing classes for the general populace. I actually took a few of these back in 2010, and they were all that expensive, just a few hundred dollars.
11. Revise and Edit
Revising and editing are crucial steps in the writing process. Review your draft for plot consistency, character development and pacing. Check for grammatical errors and awkward phrasing. It’s often helpful to take a break between writing and editing to approach your work with fresh eyes, or you can be like me and just scroll to the top because by the time you finish the full draft, you forgot what you wrote in chapter 1.
12. Keep Learning
Writing is a craft that you can always improve. Attend workshops, read books on writing, and continue to practice. The more you write, the better you’ll become.
By following these novel writing tips, you’ll be well on your way to crafting a story that captivates readers. Remember, every great novel started as a first draft. Embrace the process, stay committed, and enjoy the journey of bringing your unique story to life.