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Navigating your initial foray into authorship? Here are straightforward guidelines to help you succeed ( continued from Part 1)

Guide for penning your inaugural book if you've previously dabbled in storytelling. This advice doesn't cater to novice authors.

Guide for penning your maiden book, even if you've already dabbled in storytelling. Unfamiliar...
Guide for penning your maiden book, even if you've already dabbled in storytelling. Unfamiliar authors need apply here.

Ready to write your first book but unsure where to start? No worries! Here's a straightforward guide to help you navigate this exciting journey, even if you feel like a fish out of water.

Are you truly ready to write a novel?

Writing an entire book might not be the best starting point if you're new to writing. The process is always a learning experience, and you'll likely learn a lot while working on your book. If you're eager to start writing your book, I still suggest you practice with shorter writing exercises, get into the habit of writing regularly, and read about the craft of writing [Related: Writing tips for beginners, Writing exercises for beginners].

Commit to your story premise

Once you're ready to embark on your novel-writing adventure, it's time to decide on your story. Your premise, a brief summary of your story, should include your protagonist, their goal, and an obstacle or unusual circumstances. The premise doesn't have to sound cool; the essential thing is that you have a clear idea of what your story is about [Related reading: How to write unique stories].

Plan your novel

Planning is crucial for first-time novel writers. While there are writers who prefer to wing it, it's better to spend some extra time planning your story structure for your first novel [Related: four-step outline method, other methods of outlining]. Ideally, you should have a solid understanding of your main characters, including their goals, strengths, and weaknesses, as well as your plot's key events [Turn vibes into a plot, How to structure your novel, How to write a plot twist, Do you need a scene outline?, Grow your plot with these questions].

Make time to write

To write your book, you need to create time to write. Even if you don't have children, finding writing time can still be a challenge, especially if you have a full-time job or other responsibilities. Set a daily writing routine, evaluate your priorities, and be persistent [Related reading: How long does it take to write a novel?, How to write efficiently].

Start writing (no pressure)

Forget about perfect beginnings; just start writing wherever seems right. The first draft doesn't have to be great; its purpose is to provide a foundation for you to build on [Related: Why you're really writing the first draft]. Don't worry about making it perfect; focus on progress, any progress. Sit down to write whenever you can, and don't let distractions or self-doubt get in your way [Efficient Writer Workshop & Workbook].

Revise, revise, revise

After finishing your first draft, the real work begins – revisions! Editing your novel happens during several stages, such as rewriting, revising, and editing. Be patient; the editing process takes time, and you need to refine your story to make it the best it can be [Related reading: How to finish writing your first draft].

Embrace the writing journey

Writing your first novel is an adventure full of new experiences, challenges, and revelations. Remember to enjoy the journey, learn from your mistakes, and always strive to become a better writer. And most importantly, don't give up – the world awaits your story!

[our website is a blog about writing fiction, written by a published author and creative writing teacher. You can find more writing tips and inspiration in the blog and you can get the best author tools at Writer Lifestyle on Etsy.]

  1. If you're a beginner writer, consider starting with writing exercises and regular writing habits before venturing into novel writing. [Related: Writing tips for beginners, Writing exercises for beginners]
  2. Before you start writing your novel, commit to a clear story premise that includes your protagonist, their goal, and an obstacle or unusual circumstances. [Related reading: How to write unique stories]
  3. Planned structure is essential for first-time novel writers; I recommend using methods like the four-step outline to plan your novel's key events and main characters. [Turn vibes into a plot, How to structure your novel, How to write a plot twist, Do you need a scene outline?, Grow your plot with these questions]
  4. To write your book effectively, make time for writing by setting a daily writing routine, evaluating your priorities, and staying persistent. [Related reading: How long does it take to write a novel?, How to write efficiently]

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