Writing A Novel 101 – Being Creative Can Be Rewarding

Writing a novel is a creative and rewarding endeavor.

While there’s no One-size-fits-all approach, this step-by-step guide may help you get started.

1. Generate an idea

Come up with a compelling and unique idea for your novel. It could be a character, a setting, a plot twist, or even a theme you may want to explore. 

 

2. Outline (or Plot): 

Create an outline or rough plot to outline key events and major plot points for your story. It’s like an exciting roadmap for your writing process. If you love to draw, think of the outline as your light pencil sketch before drawing for real. It allows you to explore color and texture and can be erased if it doesn’t feel right.

 

3. Develop Characters: 

Create well-rounded and believable characters. Give them distinct personalities, backgrounds, and motivations that drive their actions throughout the story. Giving your characters differences from each other is so important.

So many times, I have read drafts where the characters all sound the same. If you can find a way to have your characters authentic, you are halfway to a great story.

 

4. World-Building (if applicable): 

If your novel is set in a fictional world, the world might also run on a different time dimension. Establish the rules, cultures, and environment of your imagined world.

To build a world know for example if the world has two Suns and five moons – when will the moons appear? What time of day or night?  Is there day and night? Is there time? Building worlds is an incredibly fun thing to do but it can be very difficult to get right. 

Complete courses are run on world-building. It’s a fascinating part of writing.

 

5. Set Writing Goals: 

Decide on a writing schedule and set achievable word count goals. Consistency is essential to keep the momentum going. Don’t feel you have to limit yourself to a word count goal.

Sometimes it is more helpful to set other goals like starting or finishing a project. 

Only you can decide what goals are important to you.

 

6. Write the First Draft: 

Allow yourself to write freely. No perfection. Your first draft is simply to get your ideas on paper. This blog covers the first draft process a lot, so I won’t expand.

7. Edit and Revise: 

Once you’ve completed the first draft, take a break before revising. Come back to it with fresh eyes and be prepared to make changes, cut unnecessary parts, and improve your writing. 

Do you find editing fun or frustrating?

 

8. Seek Feedback: 

Share your work with trusted friends, writing groups, or beta readers to get constructive feedback. Sharing your work can provide you with valuable insights to help identify areas for improvement. 

9. Second Draft and Beyond: 

Based on the feedback received, work on subsequent drafts to refine your novel further. Remember critiques of your work are not saying you are no good they are only saying that your work needs improving. Try not to take it personally.

 

10. Polishing:

Pay attention to the flow of your writing, grammar, punctuation, and overall readability. Make sure your novel is well-polished and error-free. Again, you may need to ask others for help with the polishing of a novel.

11. Title and Cover: 

Choose a fitting, catchy and marketable title for your novel. If you’re self-publishing, consider designing or commissioning a professional book cover. 

If you saw your book title in a bookstore, would you want to read it?

 

12. Publication: 

Decide whether you want to pursue traditional publishing through literary agents and publishing houses or self-publish through platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing.

 

13. Promotion and Marketing: 

If you’re self-publishing, plan how you’ll promote your novel. Use social media, book blogs, book tours, and other promotional strategies to reach your target audience.

There are so many ways to promote your work these days, so spend some time researching what could work best for your novel.

 

14. Patience and Persistence: 

Writing a novel is a challenging process, and success may not come overnight. 

Stay patient, believe in your work, and keep writing.

 

I wish I could simply say here is a list of things to write your novel and now you have it “Go write a novel”. The truth is, there is no easy “Do This” and “Tick Off” Checklist that can cover the perfect path to a successful novel. 

Writing a novel is a highly personal and creative journey; there is no “one-size-fits-all” formula for publishing success. We just have to realize it’s our uniqueness that gives anything we do in life that voice and creative flair to make it really something. 

Don’t be afraid to experiment, find your unique voice and most of all enjoy the process along the way.

 

The very best of good luck to you!

 

Now, go write something totally original. You can do it, you’ve got this!

 

\ Zak \

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