Writing a Novel: Where to Start

It seems that everyone wants to write a novel these days. The thought of seeing your own book in print is irresistible to some. However, many aspiring novelists simply do not know where to begin, and they need some tips for writing a novel. It’s not always as easy as picking up a pen and paper, at least in my opinion. In fact, writing a novel does not necessarily begin with writing at all.

Reading to Write Creatively

Writing is easy. Writing well is an art. In order to write well, you have to read, and read a lot. Not just one or two novels, but dozens, preferably hundreds, including the classics. Deciding on what genre you are most interested in writing, and start (but certainly don't stop) there. Some fiction genres are:

• Science fiction;
• Fantasy fiction;
• Crime fiction;
• Historical fiction; and
• Romantic fiction.

There are many other genres to choose from, such as literary fiction, adventure, or mystery fiction. But don’t limit yourself to simply reading one genre. Books are often crossovers. For example, I tend to write books that are classified as fantasies. However, they have elements of romance as well. Many romance books are historical in their setting. Read a variety of books, without limiting yourself to a certain genre, and absorb the style and tone of each book. They’re all very different, and they all have something to teach (even the poorly-written ones).

Keeping a Journal of Your Creative Thoughts

Many people keep journals, myself included. Journals and diaries are a good way to express thoughts and feelings. In the case of preparing to write a novel, they’re also a wonderful way to keep track of the odd stray thought or idea.

Carry a journal of some kind with you wherever you go. You never really know when you’ll be able to use that bit of dialogue that you thought up while having dinner with friends. It’s also a good place to take notes about places you go and people you meet. At some point during one of your long writing sessions, you might just find a use for these notes.

Keep a pen with you at all times. I know from personal experience how annoying it can be to have the journal and no pen during a moment of inspiration.

Being Your Own Audience

When you do eventually start to write, try to think like a reader. By this point, you should have read enough books to be able to do that. Try to decide if you would want to read a book just like the one you’re writing, or if you’d pass it by. If you can honestly say that it’s worth the read, then you might just have a winner on your hands.

When Writing a Novel, You Have to Write

Novels don’t write themselves. They are written word by word, chapter by chapter, until they’re completed. If you want to write a novel, you have to sit down and write. You’ll have to plough through writer’s block, deal with interruptions, and wrangle your characters into doing whatever it is they’re supposed to in order to get to the end of the novel. If you don’t sit down and commit yourself to your project, it just will never happen.

Write something everyday. It may be a chapter, it may be only a paragraph, but if you want to be a writer, you have to get into the habit of writing. It’s far too easy to let one day slip past, and that day becomes a month, and before you know it, you’ve let that half-finished novel sit on the shelf (or in the computer) for a year. I’ve actually done this, twice. It’s not a good way to write a novel.

If you really want to write a novel, or be a professional writer of any kind, then do it. Don’t just think about, don’t just talk about it (or you risk irritating you friends and family), but do it. Don’t worry about getting published, and don’t worry about spelling mistakes, grammar, or getting you idea across at first. You can edit and revise to your heart’s content later, and getting published is a headache that is best put off until the thing is done.