How to Write (and Finish) a Novel

According to Kurt Vonnegut, “The primary benefit of practicing any art, whether well or badly, is that it enables one's soul to grow.” If this is true, then nothing makes for more mature souls than writing a novel, a form that particularly requires perseverance and patience. Though there are no hard and fast rules for how to get from first draft to bookstore shelf, these guideposts will help you find your way.

1. Give Some Thought to Plot.

Writing a novel can be a messy undertaking. The editing process will go easier if you devote time to plot in the beginning. For some writers, this means an outline; others work with index cards, putting a different scene on each one. Still others only have a conflict and a general idea of where they plan to end up before diving in. If you've been writing for a while, you already know how your brain works and what kind of structure it needs in order to complete big projects. If you're just starting out, then this may be something you'll learn about your writing process as you revise your first novel.

2. Get a First Draft Down.

Though it is a good idea to test your idea out on other writers, resist getting feedback on the writing itself at this stage. Focus on getting the complete story down on paper instead. If you have trouble with writer's block or tend to let projects stall, NaNoWriMo might be helpful. Other writers maintain a regular schedule and spread the writing out over a longer period of time. Still others enroll in novel classes, which provide weekly deadlines and community. CLICK HERE to read more.

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