I’ve met a lot of people over the years who tell me that they want to write a novel. They just haven’t gotten around to doing it yet, but once this or that thing finally happens they’ll get started. The problem with that kind of thinking is that there will never be a perfect time to write your novel. You will write it when you make it a priority in your life.
The best time to get started is now. Below I’ve written some tips that will put you on the path to writing and completing your first novel.
Why do you want to write a novel?
You’re going to dedicate a lot of hours to writing your novel. Knowing why you are doing it will give you the stamina to finish. I read a statistic that said 97% of people who start writing a book never finish. That means the odds aren’t in your favor. A way to tip the odds in your favor is the be clear about why you’re spending so much time at a computer writing when you could be doing something else.
I love finishing a book. Typing the last words on the page is a major accomplishment. Holding the final product in my hand is amazing. It’s a slog to get there. There will be times when you feel like beating your head against your desk. There will be times when you doubt yourself and what you’ve written so far. There will be times when you wonder if any of this is worth it. You need something to get you through those struggles.
What’s your reason for putting yourself through this? If you want to write a novel because you think it will make you rich and famous, don’t even bother. Close your laptop and walked away.
The likelihood of that happening is small. It is especially small if that’s the only reason you’re doing it. If you are only writing a book because you want to make money, it’s obvious that you don’t have anything to say. Money is not enough motivation to swim through the mock of writing a novel. You can make money a lot of other ways that are probably easier than writing a book. Find an easier way to make your fortune.
If you’re writing a novel because you feel like you have a story to tell, that’s more like it. Do you have something unique to say? Do you have a story that you feel will make the world a better place? Do you have a knack for entertaining people? These are all legitimate reasons. What drives your compulsion to tell a story is what’s going to keep you going until the end. That will set you apart from the 97% of people who don’t finish. You’ll be one of the 3%. You get to be one of the 3% by having a reason and being committed.
Is your story really a novel?
A lot of people think they have a book in them, but when it comes down to writing it, they realize they only have a short story. There are a lot of stories that don’t take a novel’s worth of words to tell. That’s fine. Those stories are meant to be that long. Before you embark on your novel, try making your idea into a short story. This is a good exercise because it will help you figure out whether your idea can be completely fleshed out in the short story. It can also help you get a general idea of where your story would go if it were a full novel.
I like to write flash fiction. Before I write a book it’s good for me to sit down and try to make that idea into a flash fiction story. It’s almost like a beginning outline.
After you write your short story, evaluate it. Has it said everything that you need to say? If so, it’s done. You can move onto another idea. If the story needs to be a novel, you can use it as a roadmap to write something longer.
Plan
Some people outline. Some people write by the seat of their pants, that’s called pantsing. I don’t think one way is better than the other. Different writers use different tools. You need to figure out what tool is best for you. I’ll write an article about the pros and cons of each next week. Right now I just want to emphasize how important it is for you to have some kind of plan when you get into the story. Even the biggest pantsers in the world still have some kind of plan. They have a theme that they are working with or a general idea of what the character needs to learn.
I usually start a story because I had a dream. That dream is often the opening scene in a book. I write that scene down and then I do a lot of thinking about the way I want the book to end. Once I have a clear idea of how I want the book to end I spend a few days writing a detailed outline. I learned how to outline from Take Off Your Pants!: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing
Usually, by the third chapter, I’ve completely disregarded the outline because I don’t like outlines. My writing process is about taking a journey. I have to get from the beginning that I dreamed about to the end that I thought up. I follow the twists and turns the characters take to get there. The business of writing an outline and not following it has become part of my process over the years. I don’t sweat it because I know it helps me work out the story.
Another annoying part of my process is usually about 2/3s of the way through the book I have some type of crisis and need to start it all over again. I’ll start rewriting from a different point of view or something. I’ll usually rewrite four or five chapters like that before deciding it was a ridiculous idea. Then I go back to where I left off before the crisis finish the book. I’m going through that stage right now with the book I’m working on. I’m 45,000 words in, and I’ve decided to start again. I have accepted that is the way I work. It’s part of my crazy process.
Maybe you are very organized. I applaud you because I’m kind of a mess. If you can write in a way that is more organized than me, you’ll probably be able to write your books faster.
Commit
Commit yourself to writing your novel. Write a little bit at a time, one day at a time, until you’re finished. You have to set aside time to do the writing. Most people will tell you that you should set aside the same time every day to write. Most people will tell you that you have to write every day. I’ve probably even told you that. It is good advice when you are starting out because you need to establish that habit.
Honestly, that’s not what I do. I am scattered. I write whenever. The time of day I sit down to write fluctuates. Some days I don’t write at all. On the days that I don’t write, I am thinking about my story. Sometimes I spend an hour staring at the wall and thinking about my story. Sometimes I go out for a walk and think about my characters. Even though I’m not technically writing, I call that writing time.
You have to make time for the muse to show up. If you don’t show up for the story, the ideas won’t come to you. Show up. Commit yourself, and you will be able to get it done.
I know you can write a book. If I can do it, you can. Pound out a first draft. There is no feeling like finally typing the end when you get to the last page. I want you to have that feeling.
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