| If you're in search of tips for writing a novel, | | | | at once. It's written scene by scene. So approach |
| here's your first tip: search for something more | | | | it that way. Write one scene at a time. Don't |
| substantial. A tip here or there will not provide | | | | worry about the rest of the story, just focus on |
| you with enough information to help you write a | | | | getting that one scene completed. |
| novel. You need more. Try an online course, for | | | | 4: Plan On Writing More Than A Single Draft |
| instance. Or seek out the guidance of a | | | | If you want to free yourself to write faster and |
| professional writer. Anything more substantial than | | | | better, then face the fact early on that you'll be |
| a few quick tips. | | | | doing several drafts. There's the first draft, |
| With that said, a few solid tips can provide you | | | | written as fast as possible. There's the second |
| with the motivation to get started and a rough | | | | draft, here you focus on the plot, making sure |
| idea of how to start. So here they are ... | | | | that everything works, tossing out extra scenes, |
| 1: Don't Start Until You Know These | | | | adding in scenes that are missing. There's the third |
| Some writers love to outline the novel in its | | | | draft, in which you clean up your punctuation, |
| entirety before they write a single word. Other | | | | make sure your sentences make sense, etc. |
| writers prefer to sketch out a few notes and | | | | Finally, there's the optional four draft, when you |
| jump right in. Either way you choose to approach | | | | give the novel one more run through. Accept that |
| writing your novel, before a single word goes on | | | | you'll be writing more than a single draft and a |
| paper, you need to know these: | | | | huge load will come off your shoulders. Suddenly, |
| - Who the story is about | | | | you don't have to be perfect. You can write with |
| - The primary driving conflict of the story | | | | joy and freedom! |
| - Who or what opposes the story's main | | | | 5: Write |
| character | | | | Out of all the tips for writing a novel that I could |
| - How it all turns out | | | | offer, this is the only one that truly matters. If |
| If, at a minimum, these four issues are clear in | | | | you want to write a novel, you have to write. |
| your mind, then you can feel somewhat | | | | Not occasionally. Not only when the muse strikes |
| comfortable in getting started on your novel. | | | | you. Not only when the rest of the family is out |
| 2. Save Your Research For Later | | | | of the house. No, you have to write everyday. |
| It's easy to get caught up in researching every | | | | Even if it's only for fifteen minutes. You must sit |
| little aspect of your story, from settings to | | | | down and apply words to paper each and every |
| careers to how things work. Don't get bogged | | | | day. Write! |
| down in research. When you come to a section | | | | There they are, my top five tips for writing a |
| that requires research, mark it as such and keep | | | | novel. Straightforward and to the point. I sincerely |
| writing. You can come back later and fill in the | | | | hope you've found something here that was |
| blanks. Research can be a novel killer if you let it | | | | worth your time. I do intend to add another five |
| consume you. | | | | tips in an upcoming article. However, I will repeat, |
| 3: Don't Write A Novel, Write A Scene | | | | tips are fine, but a good novel writing course can |
| The idea of writing a novel can be overwhelming. | | | | result in the completion of a better novel in half |
| Don't let it overwhelm you. A novel isn't written all | | | | the time. |