Writing Your First Novel
You've always wanted to be the next big novelist, but you have
no idea where to start. Very few people can just sit down in one
sitting and write a full-length novel. We all have hectic lives
and many things that pull us away from our writing. We have
families, jobs, chores, school involvement - the list can go on
forever. Yet, a writer must write. This is just a fact of life.
Writers are creative personalities with the desire to write. A
writer of fiction might speak of a specific character speaking
to them. While people that aren't in the profession might not
understand, fellow writers feel their pain. Characters often
urge a writer on, occasionally to the point of tormenting the
writer as well as inspire. Ignoring or procrastinating a
writer's need can lead to emotional fallout. What writers and
other artists refer to as "the Muse" is relentless in its
inability to let one sleep at night, and keeps one from paying
full attention to important demands with the thoughtfulness we
would otherwise give them.
But how does a writer find the time to write the next incredible
novel in between their day-to-day stresses? First of all, set
priorities! We can't ignore our families or our jobs, but we can
prioritize. Write when children are asleep or at school. Set a
daily schedule to allow yourself a few hours to write. Plan play
dates for your children or get a neighbor to babysit for a few
hours and take that time to write. If you think you can manage
without vacuuming for a day, take a little of your housekeeping
time to write. It's amazing how much a person can get done in
just a few hours a day of peace and quiet.
Get a notebook and try to flesh out your chapters. That way
you've got notes to follow on those days that you're staring at
a blank screen trying to figure out what comes next. As you
consult your notes, more ideas will come. Being organized is a
must. A five-subject notebook works best. You can dedicated a
subject to your characters. Give them personalities and make
notes on what place they have in your story.
Why not write your synopsis first? That way you have your entire
work more or less plotted - beginning, middle, and end. This
will help to keep you focused, and keep you from going off on
tangents that waste time.
Keep a small notebook with you at all times. Everywhere you go,
you're introduced to people, conversations, and various other
things that will spark ideas in your mind. Use this notebook to
jot down ideas as they come.
Do your research for the novel on a specific day each week. Your
writing time is valuable. Don't waste time researching when you
are supposed to be writing.
Having your own space to write and concentrate is the most
important. Quiet is necessary as the Muse influences and
inspires. Any outside noise and confusion will chase off your
muse quickly. Establish your own space where no one will bother
you. Instill boundaraies so that your family knows that this is
your space and you're not to be bothered. If you can't establish
your own space at home, try going to the local library.
Do you know what fosters your muse? Some writers must have
absolute solitude without a single background noise. Others need
music or television on in the background, but this is purely an
individual choice and varies from writer to writer. There is no
right or wrong. Whatever makes you more productive is definitely
the way to go.
Last, but definitely not least - never give up. Life is always
going to threaten to get in the way of your novel. Having
confidence in yourself and your abilities is necessary for a
novel to be completed. Keep the Muse alive and the Muse will
help to guide you to your goal. First novels are published in
spite of all the naysayers out there who say it's almost
impossible. The next first novelist could very well be you!