6 Tips For Writing Your First Novel

Choosing to start a novel is one of the most exciting and terrifying things you can do. 

Sure the idea of creating and crafting a novel using nothing but your mind can seem overwhelming at first. 

So before you start here are a few tips and tricks to help you along as you start your journey. 

Set A Goal 

When you first set off on your writing adventure looking at the whole novel from far away can make it seem like a mountain. 

Break the act of writing an entire novel into bite-sized pieces. 

You're far more likely to keep on track and your chances of reaching the end increase, especially if you make smaller milestones for yourself along the road with treats or prizes. 

Write Something Unforgettable 

Not something unforgettable to your reader, but unforgettable for you. 

That story idea that has stuck with you for years whispering bits and pieces of itself in your ear when you're in the shower or thinking of things to write. 

This is the story you know the most about and is a world you (hopefully) won't mind spending a year or so in as you work through the bits and pieces and bring them all together. 

Reach Out 

Writing is a lonely endeavor. Writers spend days, weeks, or years of their lives trapped in their writing spots having conversations and making friends with those in their head. 

Join a writing community, either in person or online, and find other writers going along the same journey. 

It makes it less lonely and gives you someone to walk the trails with, to guide you if you get lost, to lend you a hand if you need it, or just be a listening ear. 

There is nothing more valuable for a new writer than other writers. 

Stick With It 

There will be days you want to quit. 

I wish I could say that it's not going to happen, but at some point or another, it's going to. 

You can't let it stop you. 

There will be stressful days and days where it seems nothing you write is any good and you just want to throw the entire book away. 

Put down your pen or put your computer to sleep (after you save your progress) and take some time off if you need it or take a deep breath in and remember your why. 

You are telling this story for a reason, it can be for yourself or to help someone else learn a valuable lesson, but you have a reason why. 

Keep that why in front of you and carry on, it will get better. 

Practice Self Care 

If I could go back in time and tell myself anything as a young writer it would be to invest in proper wrist support and a good chair. 

It can be easy to lose track of time and get lost in the worlds of our own creations, but it's important to remember that there is a real world that we need to live in as well. 

Don't spend hours on end staring at your screen without taking breaks to stretch, relax your eyes, and move your body. Drink water and spend time with friends and family. 

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Best of luck on your writing journey. 

It's going to be a wonderful adventure. 

With love, 

B. xo xo

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This story was originally posted on Medium.

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