How to Start Writing a Novel

There are so many people out there who would like to start writing a novel but their hopes get shot down for so many reasons. You might not have the time for it, you can't finish it, you think that an agent or publisher would never pick it up. The reasons are endless. Now is the time to start writing that novel that's been in the back of your head.

1. For those of you that have an idea in mind...Good for you! You're already on your way. For those of you that don't have an idea in mind yet, don't worry, thinking, dreaming, and day-dreaming are the best methods for coming up with ideas.

2. When you're at work during the day, sitting behind that desk with nothing to do, start coming up with ideas. Even the craziest ones work too because once you start writing, things adapt and change. While you're in your car think about possible scenarios that you could bring to life. While you're laying in bed at night, trying to fall asleep, think about what you would like to have happen. I got my first idea for a story through an English assignment for my American Literature class, my sophomore year of high school.

3. Now since you have an idea it's time to do some outlines and think of big plot points. Think of your characters, especially the protagonist and antagonist. Is there a sidekick and best friend for the protagonist? A minion for the antagonist? What's the major conflict? There is rising action throughout a story so make sure to throw in those scenes that'll get your heart racing and jumping. Don't worry if you can't immediately think of them though because you still have yet to start the project. Anyways, you also need a climax for the protagonist and then the falling action brings the book to a close. If you're novel is taking place in an era or country that you aren't familiar with then you have to do research. Nobody likes a sixteenth century farmer who talks like a twenty-first century rapper. Think of these things! Good dialogue works wonders for a book and bad dialogue will have the reader getting annoyed.

4. Remember: The characters have to believable! Make sure to give them life. Who are they? What do they look like? What do they do for a living? Do they have parents? Where were they born? What about siblings? Are they married, engaged? How about divorced? What happened during a character's childhood? What's going on in your characters mind? Are there oppressed memories? Does he or she have OCD, ADD? Is he or she eccentric, shy, outspoken, annoying? Think of these things. The characters have to be human, unless they're vampires or some other supernatural creature. But even then, they should still talk and behave in a manner that will engage readers.

5. Start writing! This can be the easy part, or the hard part. You can dive right into this or you can just stick in your big toe. Me personally, I like the diving approach. As I write, more ideas pop into my mind and I keep doing it and doing it. Those of us who like to take it slow can always refer back to outlines and the big picture that you had before. I would say I'm a spontaneous person, therefore I don't like to think about what will happen in the end until I'm just twenty pages away. Some people think of the end first and then flesh out the novel to lead up to it. Both ways are fantastic and they'll both get you to your goal.

6. Keep writing! Many people never finish a novel because their schedules become hectic and they can't stick with it. I would recommend setting up a time where you can put forth your energy to writing. Maybe when you get home from work you could wind down and start writing. Write on your days off, or the weekends. Everybody has time for it somewhere, so think!

7. It is such a relief when you've finally reached the end but I'm sorry to say that it really isn't the end. That's a sigh of relief for some people who have made writing a habit, or a groan to others. Now that you have your piece, ask a family member or a friend to read it over and give you feedback. This is when flaws are pointed out and you have to go back and address them. Think of plot holes that you might have forgot to take care of too.

8. Now you really have the finished work. Print it off and then find an agent or publishing company. Chances are, if you're new to the scene, you might get rejected. The key is to not give up! Don't be the little kid who fell of his bike and cried and walked away. Be the one that got back on and finally rode that bike! Don't tell yourself that you're a failure. Keep sending out the manuscript because there will be a publishing agency out there that will take your work and put it on the market for you.