Tips For Getting Started Writing A Novel

The Relationship Cure: A 5 Step Guide to Strengthening Your Marriage, Family, and Friendships

For anyone who has ever had a desire to write a novel, one of the hardest parts can actually be just knowing where to start. And while you might hear people say, "Just sit down and write," this is not always the best way to get started. After all - if you actually dream of getting this novel published - you will need the story to have more continuity than something can have if you "just sit down and write."

Of course, the first thing you need - even before you start writing your novel - is the seed of an idea. The idea does not need to be fully-developed or even complete when you get started, but it needs to be in place, as it will be your launch point. It will be time to start populating the story with fully-developed characters after you have come up with the seed of the idea. This is one of the most important steps, as you can turn a mediocre story into a great story with three-dimensional characters, and you can turn a good story into a great story! Plus, you will enjoy the work on the project - the daily writing - that much more if you are working every day with characters you truly enjoy.

Having all these elements in place will be an indication that you are ready to start the story; this does not, however, mean you are necessarily ready to start writing. Sometimes, to "start the story" means nothing more than to start figuring out exactly where you will go with it next. The story might actually feel too stilted if you plan it all out from the start, so this is not necessary - but you should begin with a general idea. And as you start to move through the writing, you should make sure you keep this "general idea" flexible, so it can change as necessary. In this way, you will be able to let the story take you forward, instead of trying to direct the whole thing yourself!

It can be an immensely rewarding experience, when you write a novel - and you will be that much closer to completing it well once you know how to get started properly!