7 (+1) easy novel writing tips for writing amazing fiction people really want to read

Do you have stories in your head, just clamoring to get out?

Do you have a good story to tell, but feel overwhelmed when thinking about writing it?

Does writing a novel seem to you to be too large a goal to complete?

If the answer to one of these questions is “yes”, you need novel writing tips.

The good news is, you are in good company. Many an excellent storyteller and successful novelist was once in your shoes, not quite knowing how to start.
In this post you will find a list of manageable novel writing tips to help you stay focused, motivated, and organized to overcome this challenge.

Ready? Let’s dive in.

 

Why is writing a novel so hard?

When facing significant goals, the objective seems unreachable to many. The average word count for a novel is 50,000 to 100,000 words, so it can be daunting. Professional coaches recommend taking “baby steps” towards achieving your goal. But planning these smaller “to do” steps is also a challenge to many a budding novelist.

Writing a novel is a multi-layered process that includes researching, planning, writing, revisions and editing. Not to mention publishing your book. Writing a viable story takes great effort as you refine countless details that make your story authentic; an engaging page turner. You need to find the will to finish. Remember the 3+1 D’s – writing a novel takes Discipline, Dedication and Determination to complete. Like your characters, you need to overcome your Doubts and fears to push forward.

In this post you will find 7+1 novel writing tips that can get you on the right track towards your dream of becoming a successful novelist.

 

Writing tips for beginners – How to get the routine grindstone rolling:

 

Tip #1: Three principles a writer starting out needs to remember:

• Writing every day
• Reading a lot
• Getting to know the writing craft

You need to develop a habit and write every day. Set yourself a daily word count.
Write about anything and everything in different styles just for practice.
Establishing a routine helps overcome your natural resistance. Remember not to escape to do your house chores as an excuse not to write. The good news is that its gets easier every day.

Read more than you write. Be inspired by great masters in various genres.
Analyze the structures at the bottom of your favorite genres and learn what makes you enjoy a great book.  Match a genre to the story you want to tell.

Writing a novel is not only an art, but a craft. You need to get familiar with the tools that make for extraordinary writing. Use varied literary devices to enhance your tone of voice and make your story shine. Grammar and linguistic nuances bring new levels of clarity to your words. Compelling language helps engage the reader.

If you develop a routine and master your craft as a writer, you have completed the first hurdle.

 

How do you write a novel effectively?

 

Tip #2:  Before you write – preparation is everything

• Organize your space
• Do your research
• Define your deadline and set key milestones

You need to have a clean space to write and keep your notes. Arrange to have a quiet corner where you can work without distractions. Switch off your smartphone and close the door when you write.

Researching your story background is elemental to giving your story volume. Getting the minute details of human psychology, history and location will give it credibility.

By defining your deadline you commit to completing your novel. Setting key milestones gives an extra level of accountability that strengthens this commitment and makes the challenge manageable.  Once you have planned the work, work the plan – in other words stick to it even when you do not feel like writing.  Remember to forgive yourself when you have small slips.

 

Tip #3: Develop your story with a holistic yet flexible approach

• Only write a story you want to tell
• Get to know your characters and be inspired by life
• Write a novel outline

Make sure you’re working on the right story. Ask yourself if you are passionate about it. Can you spend the time with it to write 100,000 words? Will it be fun to do so? If the answer to these question is “yes”, then get to work!

Remember that real life is the best inventor. So jot down a good idea when it comes your way. You never know when these anecdotes may become useful. Characters feel more real when they act and interact like real people, warts and all. You should spend time with your characters, getting to know what makes them tick. Check out this list of character development question to help you.

Write a novel outline. This not only helps you organize your work, but it becomes clear where your story goes and what your main plot and subplots are. An outline is subject to changes as you advance in your story – it’s a holistic yet flexible tool with the extra benefit of helping you overcome writers block.

Now that you are prepared with a plan, you can start to write.

 

Tip #4: Start writing, and then write some more

• Write at the allocated time, but do not forget to take a break
• Know your story structure but allow for surprises
• Write now, edit later

You should set a daily time slot to write, and then use it. Set separate times for writing and for editing. Set another separate time slot for other important tasks. There is time for work, but also time for play. Take breaks and allow yourself a cheat day when needed.  Get exercise and enjoy a hobby. This will get your creative juices going. A change of scenery helps too.

Most stories follow similar simple principles, so get to know story structuring models such as a “hero’s journey” or “exposition->rising action->climax->closure”. Despite a structural framework there is always room for discovery writing and surprising yourself, your characters, and your readers. Discover plot twists as you write. Leave some space for readers to use their imagination. Pay attention to the rhythm in which your story moves forward and back, like in a dance. Insert cliff hangers, build tension and diffuse it to keep your characters and your readers on their toes. Kurt Vonnegut says “every character wants something”. Make your characters suffer and undergo a transformation by facing high risks, doubt, fear and conflict, then bring them to a satisfying triumpf.

 

 

When writing, go with the flow. Get your story out there first, then let it settle before you review and refine it. Editing your story as a separate task allows you to concentrate on different and more technical aspects, such as flow, tone of voice consistency, brevity and clarity, grammar, spelling and punctuation. Substantive editing allows you to correct research errors, remove redundant and irrelevant information, to find holes in your plot and fix them.

 

Tip #5: Refine and revise, only then run to the finish line

• Get feedback
• 3 (revisions) is a magic number
• Think about publishing

For a true evaluation of the quality of your story and your writing, make sure to get feedback from people you trust, both laymen and professionals. Find beta readers and pay an editor to review your work. Do not fear criticism, learn from it.

By refining your story to its core, it will stand out. Revisions following the feedback you received will make your story better. Do not be afraid to cut out scenes. Your work on them is not lost, as you may use them in other stories in the future. Like the words of the song “3 is a magic number”, you need at least three revisions to optimize your novel.

1. After you finish writing
2. After beta reader’s feedback
3. After editors feedback

Talk to professionals about publishing and get their advice regarding a fitting channel to your genre and about a financing strategy (e.g., crowd funding or self-publishing). There are also various resources to learn from. When looking for a publisher, Margaret Atwood recommends to “…go with the one who loves you, not the one with the biggest gold buttons”.

 

Tip #6: Writing fiction for dummies – Leverage your digital writing toolbox

What’s the best software to write a novel with? It is always best to be up-to-date on the latest tools. Here is a short list for 2023:

• Evernote – a tool to collect and organize notes; it’s great for research, idea-jotting and outline planning.
• Grammarly – helps with grammar, spelling, punctuation and sentence brevity; and it’s free.
• Hemigway app – a free editor to improve brevity and style.
• Scrivener – a reliable word processor dedicated to authors’ needs. Good for research, organizing notes and formatting; its sometimes considered old fashioned, but it’s been áround for years.
• Livingwriter – a one-stop-shop app to plot and write, organize notes and goals, share for feedback and export for publishing.
• SharePoint and One Note from Microsoft, Google Drive – Storage tools for notes and drafts.
• Cold turkey – a word processor that forces you to complete your word daily count.

 

Tip #7: Bonus tip: Best writing advice ever received – despite it all, keep going!

Dean Koontz says that perseverance is equally as important as talent and expertise. Most best-selling novelists have made it through rejection to try again, until they succeeded.

In her Harvard speech, J.K Rolling described the benefits of failure. Failure helped her develop the determination to concentrate on her writing and finish her novels.

 

 

Tip #8: Don’t give up on your writing dream

Even when you feel like you really want to quit, don’t! Make it happen one day at a time.

As you develop you craft and learn how you tick as a writer, overcoming drawbacks becomes a habit. Like a muscle you flex again and again. Do not get distracted by imaginary fears (e.g., “no one will like my work”) or overwhelming facts (e.g., “I still have 20,000 words to go”). Write to the end.

 

You created something beautiful

Only think of the satisfaction of getting your novel completed.

You worried about the plot and discovered your characters, becoming as close to them as real family or friends.

You have overcome your own greatest enemy – yourself.
In German this typical internal resistance is called “Innerer Schweinehund” (literally meaning: internal pig dog). Steven Pressfield says resistance is a creativity stopper.

You have overcome it and achieved the daunting goal of writing a novel.

Your achievement includes not only writing a novel (yes, writing a novel!); but also establishing best working practices to write many more novels. You have written tens of thousands of words, and hav mastered your craft as a writer.

You followed the above novel writing tips, and actually created something beautiful!

Isn’t that great?