"While it’s true that all stories have a beginning, a middle, and an end, you can drastically change how readers perceive your novel by altering how you structure your story"
How to Write a Novel in 15 Steps
Much like learning to ride a bike, the best way to learn how to write a novel is by just doing it. Unlike saddling up on a Schwinn for the first time, however, writing a novel can’t be accomplished in one hot summer’s day. It requires good doses of commitment and perseverance. As Octavia Butler put it: “You don’t start out writing good stuff. You start out writing crap and thinking it’s good stuff, and then gradually you get better at it. That’s why I say one of the most valuable traits is persistence.”
This post will break up the 15 major steps of writing a novel into bite-sized pieces, organized in three categories — before, during, and after you write your manuscript. Those steps are as follows:
How to Write a Novel:
- Nail down the story idea
- Read books in your genre
- Choose your novel’s point of view
- Establish the setting
- Develop your main characters
- Establish conflict and stakes
- Create an outline
- Choose your story structure
- Pick a writing software
- Write to market
- Establish a writing routine
- Consider literary devices and techniques
- Revise your story
- Work with beta readers
- Hire a professional editor
Are you ready for "writing a novel" to be the next plume in your cap? Let’s begin...
LEARN MORE
WRITE A NOVEL IN UNDER 20 MINUTES
