Suggestions on Writing a Novel
- Choosing a topic for a book may seem like the easiest part of the book writing process, but it actually can be somewhat difficult. You should choose a topic that you enjoy and are familiar with, or a topic that you can discuss from a new angle. For fiction books, it can be helpful to browse new fiction sections to discover the kinds of books that publishers are currently publishing. Try to think of a way to create a book similar to those that already exist, but different enough to hold its own in the publishing world.
- After you have chosen a topic, extensive research is essential. Research is necessary for fiction books. Books based on a specific time or place require research about that topic to sound credible. Even if you write a book based on your own experiences, research can still help flesh out any storyline. Use a series of questions for each chapter of the book to help guide you to the best research sources. For example, a chapter where characters visit a museum warrants research about that museum.
- Many people start books, but few people finish them. Time blocking is an essential part of any novel-writing process. Try several different blocks of time to find the best time for you to write. This could be at night after children are asleep, in the morning when your brain is the freshest or during breaks at work. Set specific goals, such as writing for at least 30 minutes each day or write at least two or three pages a day.
- Editing makes any novel better. Publishing houses employ editors, but most publishing companies will not even look at a story if it is not already edited for grammar, punctuation and clarity. Editing is important, but do not edit as you go along. Write a few chapters before going back to edit. You may even want to write an entire first draft before editing. This gives you distance from your work and helps you identify areas that don't make sense, areas that need fleshing out and sections that you can delete.
