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Writing a book is quite exciting at first but becomes more challenging when it's time to write the thing. This realisation happens when one notices that coming up with an idea is much easier than transforming it into an actual book. The problem of many novice authors lies in the fact that they do not understand how to structure the writing process.
The following tips will definitely prove to be helpful for novice authors. All advice provided below is not only useful but rather applicable to the actual writing process.
1. Start With a Clear Story Idea Before You Begin Writing
One of the commonest mistakes new writers make in starting their books is beginning Chapter One before they fully grasp their story. You do not have to come up with a full 50-page outline, but you need to understand the basics of your story before you begin.
Some of the key questions that can help you prepare for your story include:
Who is your protagonist?
What does he/she want?
What hinders him/her from achieving his/her goal?
How will he/she evolve through the story?
Having done all this, your job will become easier, as you will not need to invent everything on the spot. In addition, the narrative itself will be more coherent and interconnected.
It is especially relevant to mention it when talking about learning to write a novel, as many beginners lose the thread halfway through their book, throwing at random some scenes or characters, which does not contribute to developing an idea in any way.
Another point that needs to be addressed before starting to write a novel is what genre the book belongs to. This knowledge will give you a clue regarding the tone of the work.
2. Create a Simple Writing Routine You Can Actually Follow
Many people believe that writing a book requires large and undisturbed hours dedicated to writing. However, consistency is far more important than lengthy writing periods.
Newbies tend to write up to 5,000 words during one weekend only and then not to write anything during following three weeks. This approach rarely works. It is always better to develop a consistent routine that will work for you.
For instance, even such modest writing as 500 words per day will lead to writing a book within some period of time. It is important to be consistent and try to fit writing into your schedule rather than waiting for the ideal occasion to write.
The most effective tip regarding book writing is finding an appropriate time. Some people find themselves better in the morning while others have a great productivity in the evening.
When learning how to write, the most challenging part is to maintain discipline in order to keep writing when the initial thrill wears out.
3. Focus on Strong Characters Before Fancy Plot Twists
In their rush to come up with shocking surprises and sensational scenes, many novice authors neglect the single most essential element of their stories—their characters.
People keep reading because they want to know how the characters in the book are doing.
Even a seemingly straightforward story will always be more appealing if there are great characters in it, not even considering a complex plot that fails to bring its characters alive.
If you start working on the protagonist of your story, ask yourself:
Who is he/she?
What good qualities does s/he possess?
What weaknesses does he/she have?
What drives him/her?
What frightens him/her?
The more real your characters are, the more emotionally invested your reader becomes.
If you develop your characters well, the emotionally charged parts of the narrative fall into place.
4. Don’t Edit Every Page While You Are Still Writing
The major reason why many people never complete their books is that they continue editing when they should just be drafting.
They write a chapter but spend the next three days fixing it. In the following week, they go back to fix other minor issues in the chapter. Over time, this habit of tweaking everything keeps them from moving further in the story.
An initial rough draft is expected to contain a few flaws. This is completely normal.
The objective at hand is writing a draft of the story. Fixing poor grammar, slow-paced sections, dialogue, and other parts that might not flow well can wait until you get to editing.
It is particularly difficult if you are having trouble knowing how to start the process of overcoming writer’s block in your first book due to editing.
A much better way would be to separate writing and editing. Write your draft and then edit it later with a fresher mind.
All published books have been rewritten several times before being released to the audience. Great books always come out after editing rather than on the first draft.
Knowing this will make writing much easier.
5. Learn Basic Story Structure Before Writing Your Full Novel
Beginner writers tend to have a lot of good ideas, but they often lack pacing, simply because they do not know anything about the structure of a story.
A story should move, develop. Everything should be developing logically from the beginning to the middle to the end. In case nothing is happening for too long, people become bored.
Here is how a simple structure may help in writing your first novel.
Introduction to the hero and his world
An inciting incident occurs in the story
Difficulties arise
A turning point takes place
Conclusion
This simple knowledge of the structure will help you to arrange the plot more effectively and omit extra information.
The best writing advice for beginners is to outline important events before you write anything. You do not have to prepare an entire plot, but it should be clear what you are going to write.
If you analyze the story while writing, you will be able to w
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