As a published writer of seven books, very often I get asked this seemingly basic question which is actually not so basic at all- I want to be a writer but how do I go about writing my first novel? My e-mails, social media inboxes and even a few WhatsApp messages have various forms of the same question from hundreds of people. Well, I thought why not do a post on this which aims to answer that very question?
First things first: everyone has to start somewhere. Before you start writing, read. Read books in the genre you want to write in or read your favourite authors or nursery rhymes. Read anything (ok, may be not nursery rhymes) but you get the idea. Once the itch to write overtakes you, be ready to plot your story, develop characters, and write and (re)write/edit your drafts. It’s a lot of work, but it’s also enormously rewarding – there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of finishing an entire novel. That feeling when you type the last word of your first novel is beyond words. Trust me, when I finished Truly Madly Deeply, I was having an out-of-body experience that lasted for weeks.
Let’s not digress further and dive straight into the topic. Here are a few first-novel-writing tips to get you started on writing your very first novel.
1) Start with an outline of what you want to write
Writing a novel is hard, but with a well-thought-out plot it can become much less daunting. Of course, this is assuming that you have thought of the genre, whether you want to write an interesting sci-fi or a time-tested romance. Starting with a plot outline gives novel writers the best chance of creating something compelling and gripping that readers will want to invest their time in. Think of the plot as the skeleton and the story as the rest of the body. If you are doing short-stories like ‘The Other Side‘ or ‘LOVE‘, you might not need an outline as it would be relatively easier to write down the ideas in your head and flesh them out while writing each story.
Imagine if some of the world’s most successful novelists had gone into novel writing without any idea of what they wanted their book to look like – it’s unlikely that we would have beloved works by the likes of JK Rowling or Stephen King! But luckily for us all, these world-renowned authors knew how important it was to create an outline before diving into their first novel, allowing them to produce some of the greatest fiction ever written. So if you are setting out on your novel writing journey, make sure not to skip creating a solid story idea. Being a new writer, make sure to invest in research and develop characters that breathe life into your story. Character development is an art in itself. Look around you, there’s plenty of inspiration to create interesting characters. Seeking inspiration from real life will end up giving you more confidence, and motivating you to invest more in writing time.
2) Set aside some time each day to write
Writing discipline can be hard to maintain for a first-time writer, and if you’re not used to it, starting up a writing routine can seem almost impossible. But the truth is that setting aside just a little bit of time each day can do wonders for your writing – even if it’s only a few hundred words. It could be something as short as a paragraph or two, or it could be the first step on your way towards completing NaNoWriMo (if you ever decide to take up writing your first book in November like so many aspiring authors). Whether you’re working on craft pieces for creative writing classes, beginning your next draft, or exploring some form of literary journalism, or just honing your writing skills, building a writing schedule will help get you in the groove and will prime your brain to churn out more ideas. Remember school time when parents used to be behind our back to chalk out daily time table detailing out time for work, play, meals and sleep? Well, just imagine the same and put a slot for some writing there along with whatever else you do.
Let me tell you regular writing sessions show your commitment towards completing the entire book and just a few minutes every day can make all the difference.
3) Don’t be afraid to revise and edit as you go
When it comes to editing your work, never be afraid to do it the right away! Writing and editing can seem like daunting tasks for aspiring writers, but with a little effort, you’ll be well on your way to creating something truly stunning. Editing for writers is much like learning the ropes of a different art form – you don’t have to make everything perfect in one go and it’s okay if your first draft needs some refining over multiple stages. Try and disconnect from the book once you are done writing. Take a break for a week or so before revisiting the manuscript and look at it from the perspective of your reader. Cut out verbosity, repetition, keep an eye out for any loopholes that need fixing, watch the structuring and the casing and so much more. Remember editing isn’t just about fixing grammar. Make sure you cover all chapters and give your first book the attention to detail it deserves. Don’t consider this unnecessary. I don’t want to you to think of publishing at this stage yet a poorly edited manuscript can be a deal breaker in finding a good publisher. Just take a deep breath and go cut, cut, chop, chop!
4) Get feedback from friends or family members
Nothing beats the feeling when you finish writing a project – it’s like all your hard work has finally paid off! But don’t forget the importance of taking a step back and getting a second opinion. Well, you say I did revisit it above, right? But again remember you bring in a bias towards your own work. Another person, esp. an accomplished reader who might have read works of similar genres can be a great beta-reader for your work.
Getting feedback from friends or family members who are willing to read your work is one of the most valuable resources you can have as a writer. A fresh set of eyes can help point out errors, word choice issues, or style inconsistencies that you may have missed. Plus, having someone honest (and hopefully witty) to bounce ideas off can provide serious motivation and also improve your creative process!
5) Find a writing group or online community to get support
Joining a writing group or online writing community can not only provide you with endless writing resources like good writing techniques, writing strategies and tips to help you along the way, it can also inspire creativity and provide moral support. I don’t want to highlight it at this stage but post publication networking with this kind of a community will really give your book a marketing boost and get you your initial reader. However, anytime during the writing or editing process if you’re feeling stuck or just need an extra boost of motivation, talking to other writers who share your same interest and struggles can be a great way to gain perspective on writing and help propel your manuscript to completion.
6) Most importantly, don’t give up!
Writing your first novel from scratch can seem like an intimidating task – especially if you’ve never done it before! With all the doubt, fear, and self-doubt that creeps in, sometimes it feels like the project just isn’t worth it. But here’s the secret: write for yourself first, and write with joy in your heart. Let the positivity flow and believe you were made for this. Right from the first scene to the last, irrespective of the word count or structure, focus on being an inspiration for yourself. Don’t worry about pleasing others just yet – pour your innermost thoughts on to the page and write without judgement.
During the writing process, and I can’t highlight this enough- Don’t think about getting published YET! When you’re finally done and looking back at what you’ve written, you’ll be feeling self-satisfied and incredibly proud of yourself. So don’t give up! Writing a novel is hard work but you can get there if you keep believing in yourself. Remember each one of us has a unique thought process. Even two people while telling the same story, communicate it differently irrespective of the medium. Be confident in the story that only YOU can write – that way your creativity will shine through on every page!
So there you have it, my top tips for writing your first novel! If you follow these simple steps, you’ll be well on your way to writing the next great Indian novel. Just remember to set aside some time each day to write, and to get feedback from friends or family members who are willing to read your work. And if you ever get stuck or find yourself staring at a blank page, don’t hesitate to try different things like a travel break, reading your favourite author or watching a new movie for some inspiration. Above all have fun in the art, enjoy while you write your first novel and you will surely taste success. Happy writing!