You have great ideas for the perfect novel. You have the desire to succeed. Now what? First of all, be aware that writing is not a get rich quick scheme. Even the household names like Stephen King had many rejections before he became a best seller.
There is no easy recipe to write a novel. It is continuous hard work and diligence, day after day until it is finished. Do not let this put you off though. If you have a story that needs to get out there, sit down and write it.
If you want to write a good novel, you need to read (a lot). See what works for other writers, but never compare yourself to them. Famous writers have had years to hone their craft.
Make a point of sitting down in front of your computer and write a certain amount of words each day, even on days that you don’t feel in the mood to do so. This is called discipline. Without discipline, you will never finish your novel.
“Begin your new story on a blank page, and like lonely footprints along a snowy path, the rest will follow...” ― Nanette L. Avery
Some days the words will flow like magic. When this happens, go with the flow. If you love what you are doing, you will do it well. At other times, writing a novel can be hard, frustrating and downright irritating.
When this happens, do not give up. Never give up on your dream. Practise every day to improve your craft. With time, you will see an improvement. Do not worry about what people might say. Just write your heart out.
“All writing problems are psychological problems. Blocks usually stem from the fear of being judged. If you imagine the world listening, you'll never write a line. That's why privacy is so important. You should write first drafts as if they will never be shown to anyone.” ― Erica Jong, The New Writer's Handbook 2007: A Practical Anthology of Best Advice for Your Craft and Career
Once the first draft of your novel is completed, the hard part actually starts. Editing. Cutting away everything that should not be in your book. Finding ways to better express yourself. Seeing where scenes don’t work and changing them. Nothing is written in stone. Changes make the difference between a good story and a great one.
“Give yourself permission to write a bad book. Writer’s block is another name for writer’s dread—the paralyzing fear that our work won’t measure up. It doesn’t matter how many books I’ve published, starting the next one always feels as daunting as the first. A day comes when I just have to make a deal with myself: write something anyway, even if it’s awful. Nobody has to know. Maybe it never leaves this room! Just go.” — Barabara Kingsolver
Whatever you do, keep on writing. It is a worthwhile journey, filled with moments of wonder, adventure and reward. The greatest reward is when you finally publish your novel and it sells.
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