So, you want to write a novel, but you\u2019re not sure how to get started. Or you\u2019ve gotten started, but you\u2019re stuck part of the way through. Maybe you can\u2019t get over your plot hole or your story took a strange turn, and you can\u2019t seem to get it back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whatever your personal roadblocks, this 10-step guide will help. Let it lead you through the process of writing a novel, one step at a time, starting with that biggest of hurdles \u2014 the idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
This step can be the easiest and the hardest at the same time. Anyone can come up with the germ of a story \u2014 Hey, maybe two aliens from different planets fall for each other! <\/em>\u2014 but it\u2019s much harder to develop that flash of inspiration into a workable novel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A concept is not a story. Many writers confuse the two, and it\u2019s often the reason why novelists get stuck a few pages in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your concept is your high-level idea. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are great elevator pitches, but they\u2019re not stories. To reach story level, you need a premise \u2014 a narrative arc that involves a unique person. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s not a complete plot yet, but it\u2019s a jumping-off point. (The jumping-off point for the classic children\u2019s book Anne of Green Gables<\/em>, in case you were wondering.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n From here, you can start a novel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most adult novels are <\/a>80,000 to 100,000 words long<\/a>. Young adult and middle grade fiction can be shorter \u2014 usually 55,000 to just under 80,000 words for young adult and 20,000 to 55,000 words for middle grade, depending on age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To fill that many words, your premise needs to support a certain level of complexity. That usually means:<\/p>\n\n\n\n A multifaceted, deeply human main character<\/p>\n\n\n\n Several other fully developed characters<\/p>\n\n\n\n An objective that will be hard for the main character to reach<\/p>\n\n\n\n Room for several exciting incidents and potentially a few subplots<\/p>\n\n\n\n As for whether your novel idea is good<\/em>\u2026 well, that\u2019s entirely subjective. But if you feel compelled to write it and you\u2019d want to pick the book up if you saw it on a shelf, that\u2019s a solid leg to stand on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Novel writers tend to sort themselves into two categories: plotters and pantsers. Plotters organize their stories in detail, writing outlines and drawing up synopses until they know exactly what\u2019s going to happen and when.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pantsers write\u2026 well, by the seat of their pants. They let the story reveal itself as it happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Writers like to talk about plotting and pantsing as if it\u2019s a binary, but it\u2019s really more of a spectrum. You need to decide where you fall on that spectrum \u2014 or at least, where you think you fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t overthink it! If you feel more comfortable pantsing, go for it. You can always take a step back and do some planning if you get stuck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One pro tip: Even pantsers do a little<\/em> bit of planning. To avoid frustration down the road, come up with at least a paragraph synopsis of how you think the story will go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your characters are the legs your novel stands on. They\u2019re your readers\u2019 emotional connection to the story, and they drive the plot forward. They need to be richly fleshed out so they read as real people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Start with your protagonist \u2014 the primary character whose story you\u2019re telling. Work from the inside out, beginning with the inner qualities that make the plot happen. Those are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then, give the character a backstory. How did they become the way they are? Explore their childhood, culture, and social circle. Focus on their personality, but don\u2019t forget to describe their appearance too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Character sheets can keep you on track. Create one for each of your major characters and keep them close at hand when you write.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Conflict makes a story worth reading. Something needs to get in the way of your main character achieving their goals or your novel will lack momentum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Two basic types of conflict drive stories:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The best novels have both types of conflict at play. Perhaps your main character has a strict father who won\u2019t let her abandon her business career to become a Broadway star, but she needs to find the courage to stand against him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The next question to ask is, through whose eyes do you want people to see this story play out? This is called your perspective or point of view (POV if you want to sound like an insider novelist).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Common POVs for novels include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Omniscient narrators tend to be hardest for newbie novelists to write. If you choose to write omniscient, try to stick with one point of view per scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Switching perspectives too often can cause a phenomenon known as \u201chead-hopping.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cinderella swallowed hard, afraid the shoe wouldn\u2019t fit. The prince thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world. The stepsister sat by silently, fuming internally.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n This kind of rapid perspective shift can be confusing. Avoid emotional whiplash \u2014 let your readers live in one character\u2019s mind for a while before you ask them to switch. Keep that in mind as you plan out your novel\u2019s plot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most beginning authors need to spend at least some time thinking about their story structure, even if they identify as pantsers. An outline ensures you\u2019ve fleshed out the plot enough to make it a novel, and it will keep you on track if you get lost or stuck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n First of all, don\u2019t panic \u2014 no one\u2019s asking you to write the kind of indented, Roman-numeraled outline you created in middle school English. (But if that works for you, go for it.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n For novelists, outlines are resources. They\u2019re like GPS directions for your story, providing structure and showing you where you\u2019re headed, so you know what turn to take next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As long as your outline helps you structure your story, it can take any form you want. It might be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your outline is just there to keep you on track as you write. Nor is it set in stone. Plenty of writers change their outlines as a plot reveals itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many newbie authors get lost and frustrated when they first start plotting and learning how to write their novel. The culprit is usually a lack of direction. They\u2019re not sure what should happen next, and what should happen after that, and before they know it, they\u2019re back on the couch watching someone else\u2019s stories on Netflix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Relatable? Don\u2019t worry. Here\u2019s a basic narrative structure that can form the skeleton of almost any novel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re curious about how many different directions this basic plot flow can go, Google \u201cnarrative structure.\u201d The results will keep you busy for hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you have your conflict and plot, figure out the stakes. Ask yourself why it matters if the main character achieves their goal or not. What will happen if they fail and more importantly, why should the reader care?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then, turn the temperature up a bit. Make the goal more important or up the intensity of the various obstacles. Or better yet, both. The higher the stakes for the main character, the more engaged your reader will be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maybe your detective protagonist needs to solve the murder so he gets a promotion. People will probably still root for him. But if he needs to catch the killer before the detective\u2019s own wife and family become the next victims\u2026 well, there\u2019s your page-turner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Readers suspend their disbelief when they pick up a novel. If an author lets an incorrect fact slip out, it can break the connection and even offend the reader. Always fact-check everything you\u2019re not 1,000% sure about. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The internet can be a useful resource, but make sure your sources are authoritative. Opt for .gov or .edu websites when possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Real human experts will always be your best bet. It doesn\u2019t hurt to send a quick email to a local oncologist or trauma psychologist, and many will be happy to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is another point where many aspiring authors get lost, usually because they\u2019re waiting for inspiration to strike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In real life, writing is discipline. It means sitting down with a laptop or whatever else you write on and hashing out that first draft, even if you don\u2019t feel inspired. Follow these tips to stay disciplined, even when your muse decides to take a vacation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019ve written the last paragraph, close your browser, notebook, or vintage Smith Corona typewriter and go celebrate. Millions of people start novels, but far fewer finish one. You\u2019ve accomplished something huge!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rest, relax, and let your novel sit for a while. Then go back to it with fresh eyes and read it over. Ask yourself whether:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019re satisfied, ask someone whose opinion you trust to read it over. This person is what authors call a beta reader and their job is to give you high-level feedback about whether your novel works:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your beta reader\u2019s thoughts will be the impetus for your second draft. You can then take that second draft and bring it to a critique group or hire a professional editor to help you polish it up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At this point, you\u2019re well on your way to publication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now you have a map that will take you from your first flashes of an idea to a fully fleshed-out novel. Yes, it\u2019s a lot of work and a big-time commitment \u2014 but you can handle it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Print out this guide and tape it to your wall. Let it be your guide on how to write a novel and enjoy your great novel-writing journey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Then, take it one step at a time. Plan out your first chapter. Write your first scene, then write another. Keep putting words on paper and before you know it, you\u2019ll have a draft of your completed novel sitting proudly on your desk. So, you want to write a novel, but you\u2019re not sure how to get started. Or you\u2019ve gotten started, but you\u2019re stuck part of the way through. Maybe you can\u2019t get over your plot hole or your story took a strange turn, and you can\u2019t seem to get it back. Whatever your personal roadblocks, this …<\/p>\nConcept vs Premise<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Is Your Idea Novel-Worthy?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 2: Choose Your Approach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Step 3: Develop Your Characters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Step 4: Identify Your Conflict<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Step 5: Choose Your Perspective<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Step 6: Expand the Plot<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How to Write a Novel Outline<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Narrative Structure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 7: Raise the Stakes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Step 8: Do Your Research<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Step 9: Sit Down and Write<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Step 10: Breathe, Then Edit Your Story<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ve Got This<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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