How to Start Your Novel/Short Story
Writing is something I have always been passionate about and have wanted to do for as long as I can remember. If writing is something you're also passionate about but haven't known where to start, I have compiled a few tips I wish I had known years ago. Hopefully you will find something below that helps you with your writing, enjoy!
1. Write What You Want to Read:
I know you may have already heard this one before but it is honestly one of the most important tips I could give anyone starting their first novel/short story. You should also write something you're passionate about. Never write something just because you think that is what a reader *may* want to read. In a very real way, you are your first reader. Keep yourself in mind as you're starting out. If you love what you've written that will highly increase your chances of others loving it along with you. If you're passionate about a subject, it will show in your work and keep readers turning the page.
2. Character Development:
There are several different strategies you as a writer can do before you have ever started on your first draft. For the purpose of this post we will focus on Character Sketches. Character Sketches are something I use almost every single time I start a new novel. Start with your lead and then other supporting characters. Make a detailed list of their appearance (I often go to Pinterest to find inspiration), from how long their hair is, to how many tattoos they have, to even a birthmark on their foot,- little details help. Next, list what they like to eat, do they eat meat? Are they Vegan? Can they cook? What are their pet peeves? Favorite music, books, guilty pleasures, if they have old injuries, are all things (plus so much more) you can add to your character sketch. Even if the fact that your Lead choked on raisins once and that's why they hate raisins never makes it into your novel, the better you know who your character is the more natural it will be to write them. Once you know who your characters are, you will be able to write what they would realistically do in a scene. You would be surprised by how just knowing all these things can influence where your story takes you. You may even find yourself trying to write your character doing one thing, but notice it is not working because that is not how they would do it. I could probably write an entire post about Character Development but that will have to be for another day haha
3. Read:
As a aspiring author you should always have a book, short story etc. going. Read what you want to write. Consume so much of it that it feels like 2nd nature to have your head in the mind space of that world. If you love Cozy Mysteries etc., make it a goal to read 1-3 a month. If the genre you want to write is fantasy (which just happens to be a popular trend right now) read fantasy. Pay attention to authors you really love and how they set a scene, give the reader information and throw in plot twist.
4. Be Real. Do your Research:
Even if you're writing fantasy or historical be as realistic as you can. Readers know when something feels forced or is a 'filler' scene or throw away character. If you have a character who is a farmer and has never used a gun before, being forced to go to war on another planet - don't have them suddenly know how to use a gun. Show the reader they had to learn how to fight because all they knew before was farming. Doing Research is also something vital to keeping your reader invested in what you've written. If you're writing a historical novel, make sure you keep all references (technology, travel conditions, clothes, slang etc) as accurate as you can. Almost nothing will throw a reader off quite like obvious factual errors.
5. Have Purpose:
Though you may not always know how your story will end, you should always try to keep in mind your purpose for writing that particular story. Do you have a lesson you want the character to have learned? Are you trying to solve a problem? Does the Lead have hurts healed? Keep your purpose in mind as you write and let that lead you towards the goal.
6. Drafts. As in Plural:
You will probably have over a half-a-dozen drafts of your first novel. But that's okay! Having multiple drafts is actually a good thing. It means you're improving and perfecting your work. However, PLEASE do not get so caught up making your novel so perfect it's like Marry Poppins wrote it that you never complete it. If we could, we as writers would be rewriting pieces over and over till they resemble nothing of the piece we started with at the beginning. I know I have been guilty of spending so much time on a piece, I lose confidence in it and then abandoned it. Learn from my mistakes. If you need to, take a little break and work something else and come back to it. I promise you love it more when you spend a little time away and come back to it.
7. Share your work:
Share your work with a trusted friend. Make sure it is someone you can trust to give you constructive criticism without tearing you or your novel to pieces. As writers, the things we write (be it poems, novels, short stories) are like our children. You wouldn't let just anyone babysit your kid, make sure you let someone read it who will treat it with respect and care.
8. Learn to Deal with Critiques:
Accept any critique they give you with grace. If you've given your draft to your best friend, partner or sibling - trust what they have to tell you. They only want to help you make it the best it can be and for you to succeed. I am not saying it will be easy to hear it, but it is necessary. I still remember sitting in my car after having my first short story read in class. I cried from the aftermath of anxiety and dealing with what was said. It happens, but we just have to move on and use what they have said to improve ourselves and our work.
9. WRITE:
I know, I know - a little on the nose. haha But seriously, this is THE most important thing you can do. Don't overwhelm yourself to the point that you are paralyzed with fear and can't write anything down. You don't always have to know where a story goes when you start your first draft. Inhale, exhale. It really will work itself out. If you get stuck, just write whatever comes to mind. Just get something out. Chances are your first draft will look drastically different than your final draft. Write first, perfect later.
There are a lot more things I could say about this subject, editing and trying to get published but I think I will end this post here for now. I hope that some of these tips really helped! Just remember to find what works for YOU and YOUR work. What works for one person might not work for you, the important thing is to keep at it! If you're starting a novel and any of these tips helped you please leave a comment below. I would love to hear which ones worked for you! Also leave a comment with any other tips that have helped you and your writing process that I didn't cover - I am always open to trying new ideas on my own writing. Remember, as long as you keep writing the possibilities are endless! Thank you so much for taking the time to read my (lengthy lol) post,
XOXO
Ashley
1. Write What You Want to Read:
I know you may have already heard this one before but it is honestly one of the most important tips I could give anyone starting their first novel/short story. You should also write something you're passionate about. Never write something just because you think that is what a reader *may* want to read. In a very real way, you are your first reader. Keep yourself in mind as you're starting out. If you love what you've written that will highly increase your chances of others loving it along with you. If you're passionate about a subject, it will show in your work and keep readers turning the page.
2. Character Development:
There are several different strategies you as a writer can do before you have ever started on your first draft. For the purpose of this post we will focus on Character Sketches. Character Sketches are something I use almost every single time I start a new novel. Start with your lead and then other supporting characters. Make a detailed list of their appearance (I often go to Pinterest to find inspiration), from how long their hair is, to how many tattoos they have, to even a birthmark on their foot,- little details help. Next, list what they like to eat, do they eat meat? Are they Vegan? Can they cook? What are their pet peeves? Favorite music, books, guilty pleasures, if they have old injuries, are all things (plus so much more) you can add to your character sketch. Even if the fact that your Lead choked on raisins once and that's why they hate raisins never makes it into your novel, the better you know who your character is the more natural it will be to write them. Once you know who your characters are, you will be able to write what they would realistically do in a scene. You would be surprised by how just knowing all these things can influence where your story takes you. You may even find yourself trying to write your character doing one thing, but notice it is not working because that is not how they would do it. I could probably write an entire post about Character Development but that will have to be for another day haha
3. Read:
As a aspiring author you should always have a book, short story etc. going. Read what you want to write. Consume so much of it that it feels like 2nd nature to have your head in the mind space of that world. If you love Cozy Mysteries etc., make it a goal to read 1-3 a month. If the genre you want to write is fantasy (which just happens to be a popular trend right now) read fantasy. Pay attention to authors you really love and how they set a scene, give the reader information and throw in plot twist.
4. Be Real. Do your Research:
Even if you're writing fantasy or historical be as realistic as you can. Readers know when something feels forced or is a 'filler' scene or throw away character. If you have a character who is a farmer and has never used a gun before, being forced to go to war on another planet - don't have them suddenly know how to use a gun. Show the reader they had to learn how to fight because all they knew before was farming. Doing Research is also something vital to keeping your reader invested in what you've written. If you're writing a historical novel, make sure you keep all references (technology, travel conditions, clothes, slang etc) as accurate as you can. Almost nothing will throw a reader off quite like obvious factual errors.
5. Have Purpose:
Though you may not always know how your story will end, you should always try to keep in mind your purpose for writing that particular story. Do you have a lesson you want the character to have learned? Are you trying to solve a problem? Does the Lead have hurts healed? Keep your purpose in mind as you write and let that lead you towards the goal.
6. Drafts. As in Plural:
You will probably have over a half-a-dozen drafts of your first novel. But that's okay! Having multiple drafts is actually a good thing. It means you're improving and perfecting your work. However, PLEASE do not get so caught up making your novel so perfect it's like Marry Poppins wrote it that you never complete it. If we could, we as writers would be rewriting pieces over and over till they resemble nothing of the piece we started with at the beginning. I know I have been guilty of spending so much time on a piece, I lose confidence in it and then abandoned it. Learn from my mistakes. If you need to, take a little break and work something else and come back to it. I promise you love it more when you spend a little time away and come back to it.
7. Share your work:
Share your work with a trusted friend. Make sure it is someone you can trust to give you constructive criticism without tearing you or your novel to pieces. As writers, the things we write (be it poems, novels, short stories) are like our children. You wouldn't let just anyone babysit your kid, make sure you let someone read it who will treat it with respect and care.
8. Learn to Deal with Critiques:
Accept any critique they give you with grace. If you've given your draft to your best friend, partner or sibling - trust what they have to tell you. They only want to help you make it the best it can be and for you to succeed. I am not saying it will be easy to hear it, but it is necessary. I still remember sitting in my car after having my first short story read in class. I cried from the aftermath of anxiety and dealing with what was said. It happens, but we just have to move on and use what they have said to improve ourselves and our work.
9. WRITE:
I know, I know - a little on the nose. haha But seriously, this is THE most important thing you can do. Don't overwhelm yourself to the point that you are paralyzed with fear and can't write anything down. You don't always have to know where a story goes when you start your first draft. Inhale, exhale. It really will work itself out. If you get stuck, just write whatever comes to mind. Just get something out. Chances are your first draft will look drastically different than your final draft. Write first, perfect later.
There are a lot more things I could say about this subject, editing and trying to get published but I think I will end this post here for now. I hope that some of these tips really helped! Just remember to find what works for YOU and YOUR work. What works for one person might not work for you, the important thing is to keep at it! If you're starting a novel and any of these tips helped you please leave a comment below. I would love to hear which ones worked for you! Also leave a comment with any other tips that have helped you and your writing process that I didn't cover - I am always open to trying new ideas on my own writing. Remember, as long as you keep writing the possibilities are endless! Thank you so much for taking the time to read my (lengthy lol) post,
XOXO
Ashley
Oooh, the character development is great advice. Off to the notebooks!
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