No More Excuses. Start writing your masterpiece today.
No more excuses. Start writing your masterpiece today in ten easy steps.
2022-12-31
Assuming you have a story to tell and an inkling of the genre you wish to write in, starting a novel can be daunting. But it doesn't have to be. Here are ten easy steps to get you started on the path to becoming a novelist.
1. Set aside some time each day to write. Whether it's an hour or fifteen minutes, make sure you have some uninterrupted time to focus on your story.
2. Start with a basic outline. Know the main beats of your story before you start writing. This will help keep you on track and prevent you from getting bogged down in the details.
3. Write your first draft as quickly as possible. Don't worry about making it perfect, just get the story down on paper (or screen). You can always go back and revise later.
4. Don't get too attached to your characters. Be prepared to kill off anyone, at any time, if it serves the story.
5. Write what you know. Drawing on your own experiences and observations will help make your story more believable.
6. Do your research. If you're writing about something you're not familiar with, make sure you take the time to learn about it. Nothing will make your readers lose faith in your story faster than factual errors.
7. Be willing to revise. No first draft is perfect; chances are your second, third, and fourth drafts won't be either. Be prepared to do a lot of reworking to get your story just right.
8. Find a good beta reader. A beta reader is someone who will read your story and give you feedback on it. Choose someone whose opinion you trust, and who will be honest with you.
9. Don't be afraid to self-publish. With the rise of e-books and self-publishing platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, it's easier than ever to get your work out there.
10. Keep writing. The only way to become a better writer is to keep writing. So, finish that first novel and start on the next one.
JT. Conners @ www.jtconnersnovels.com
