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5 Tips Anyone Can Use To Write A Novel

Yes really - anyone

By Elise L. BlakePublished 2 months ago 3 min read
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5 Tips Anyone Can Use To Write A Novel
Photo by Sam Dan Truong on Unsplash

Writing a novel isn't one of those things that you need to go to school for years and years to be able to do. 

You don't need to put thousands of dollars towards an education or fancy courses.

Anyone can write. 

Writing a novel is accessible to everyone even if you can't physically write there are free ways around that. 

So if you need a little help getting started these tips are for you.

Set Realistic Goals 

Too many writers attempt to hit the ground running with their novels only to eventually run face-first into a writer's block brick wall or run themselves down and burn out before they even finish the race. 

Set smaller goals in the beginning. A chapter a week or just a few hundred words a day. 

You'll gain confidence the more goals you're able to reach and exell past that you'll keep with writing longer than those who stop when they feel as if they've failed before they've even reached the halfway milestone. 

Create A Writing Routine

It doesn't matter if your routine is to write only on the third Tuesday of the month if the moon is full. 

Having a writing routine leads to consistency and consistency leads to crushing those goals we just talked about. 

Mark a dedicated time in your schedule for writing and stick with it. 

Develop Your Characters 

Don't just give them a name. Walk a mile in their shoes. 

Find out not only what their hopes and dreams are, but their favorite foods, favorite colors, what they're afraid of, and the secrets they hide.

Knowing your characters inside and out is going to stop one of the most common pitfalls most writers fall into.

Flat characters. 

You want your character to come off that page as real as they can get and you do this by knowing who they are before you start writing them.

Dedicate some time to getting to know each character of your story. 

Outline 

An outline may seem like a scary word, but if you are new to writing it's almost a necessity. 

An outline can be as simple as a piece of paper with all the most important things about your story written down on it or it can be an elaborate board with notes and strings and something that might have rolled off the set of a detective show. 

An outline is just a guide to help you keep the points in your story straight and give you a sense of direction so you don't get lost. 

And if you decide to shake up the story that's fine too, writing is mostly exploring new worlds and scenarios in your head. 

Don't Give Up 

I include this tip in almost every article I write because giving up is one of the most common things that writers new and experienced think about - almost as much as they think about writing.

You're not going to have a perfect novel right off the back. 

Your novel is not guaranteed to be a monetary success

but it has a chance.

But it won't if you quit.

Keep writing.

Keep learning. 

Keep going.

With love, 

B.K. xo xo

Want to write with me live? I'm now on Twitch! Come join me in some writing sprints most days at 10:00 pm EST

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About the Creator

Elise L. Blake

Elise is a full-time writing coach and novelist. She is a recent college graduate from Southern New Hampshire University where she earned her BA in Creative Writing.

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  • Mark Graham2 months ago

    I am not a novel writer but research and making observations, I believe, will lead to a novel. I like the idea of a 'Murder board'.

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