Novel Writing 101

*Originally published on 10/5/09



Most writers dream of writing a novel - the tricky part is how you go about doing it. A lot of us hit roadblocks along the way and there are obstacles aplenty. If you can navigate your way through them, you can end up with a finished manuscript.

If you're just getting into writing, you'll want to start with short stories. This will give you a chance to get a feel for your style and it will allow you to sort of "train" yourself to write. You don't just sign up for a marathon without practicing and getting ready by going on shorter runs. Writing is much the same way. You start small with short stories and from there you can gradually up the ante to novellas until you're ready to take on the challenge of writing a novel head on.

If you're on your first draft, don't worry about revising until it's done. This is a big mistake I make. I'll hit a mental block and I'll think that it might be good to go back and flesh out some elements and rework it. This also happens when I take a break from a work for a long time. I justify it by saying that I need to get back into the setting and all that, but really it just stalls the process. Just plow through and see it to the end. Don't even worry about whether or not it's any good. This is just your first draft, you can always fix it later.

A lot of writers tell you to treat writing like work. This is true. You should set aside a block of time everyday to write, you can cut it to 5 days minimum, but any less than that and procrastination habits have a greater chance of kicking in. It's so so so easy to just say "I'll start tomorrow". Trust me on this, I know of what I speak when it comes to procrastination. You need to fight that urge and just do it. It's the only way it'll ever get done.

While writing is work, I suggest you write something in the genre you love. If you're big into science fiction or romance, write that. If you enjoy the work it will seem less like work and you will be more eager to sit down and write it. There's no greater feeling than being excited about the project that you're working on. Well, there are, but in regards to writing there aren't, except for finishing it I suppose, but i digress.

Another suggestion I've heard is to lock yourself away, turn off the TV and ignore the Internet. This is good advice, however, you don't need to sequester yourself that literally. A good headset will allow you to tune out the outside world, turn on iTunes and just disappear. While television can be distracting, not being able to hear it makes it easier to ignore. If you're in a recliner, you can position your laptop so that you can't see the screen, problem solved. If the temptation is too great, then you will want to find your own space to write. While I have my laptop out in the living room in front of the tv, I also have a desktop in my room that I use to get away from the distractions of the outside world.

You'll hear stories about how some writers are able to lock themselves away for several hours and just write until a book is completed. Stephen King wrote The Running Man in seventy two hours, and some writers pull all nighters and go on writing binges. If you have the resolve to do so, by all means do it. However, for most people, such a task isn't feasible. You don't need to set aside 18 hours, even one hour a day will suffice to be honest. As long as you sit down and focus for the entire duration, you can get a lot done.

Some writers find their own spot, they'll either go to their office or take their laptop to a coffee house or restaurant and write. I've considered this, but still haven't. If you like to people watch and find that it inspires you, then go ahead and head out to Starbucks or Applebee's with your laptop and type away.

Writing a novel is a daunting task. Coming up with 400 pages of material is likely to overwhelm anyone. As such, break it up into parts. Don't worry about the total page count, just get down 4 pages a day, or 2 or 3 a day. That's a much easier pill to swallow than 400. Eventually you'll get there, so don't worry about the end goal, just take it one step at a time.

As important as writing is, reading is equally important. All the great writers read just as much as they write. It can help guide you and show you what works and what doesn't.

Writing classes are helpful, but not really necessary. It's great in that it helps get you to sit down and write. The professors are usually helpful and it's always good to bounce ideas off of other writers.. They can offer insight that you may not have considered.

There is an Internet, I suppose you could call it a program, called NaNoWriMo. It's an abbreviation for "National Novel Writing Month", it comes up every November, the idea is that you write a 50,000 word manuscript in 30 days. It's just for fun and there's no real stake involved, but it's a good challenge for writers. If you take it seriously, it will push you to get something done. Some writers find themselves burnt out after it, but if you can do that, then you will definitely be able to carry it over to the remaining months of the year. You will also have a sizable manuscript in your hands. Even at 50,000 words, it may not be done, but it's definitely a heck of a start.

Writing a novel isn't easy, but it's hardly impossible. If you put in the time and work, you too can find yourself proudly exclaiming that you have finished a novel.