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There is no \u2018one size fits all\u2019 approach to writing a novel \u2014 after all, it is a very creative process and intrinsically subjective. However, there are four overarching methods of writing a book of fiction that most authors will fit into in some way. I wanted to share these with you in the hope that someone who\u2019s new to writing or who needs a new process may recognise one as the right option for them.<\/p>\n
Confused about how to get started with your first novel? Trying to find a new method that works better for you? Take a look at the options below and write to your own strengths.<\/p>\n
This method is fairly simple \u2014 just sit down, write, and see what happens! Go to your notepad or laptop with a vague plot or a potential character, and get writing. Don\u2019t edit as you go \u2014 this method is all about pouring the thoughts and ideas out onto the pages without any filtering. Once you are done, you can start the arduous editing journey, which will be the stage that really defines what your final story will be.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll probably find that, because you didn\u2019t make a plan before you started, you filled the story with too many plot twists, characters, and events. This often results in stories that either don’t make sense or don’t flow. This will mean you\u2019ll have to be prepared to cut perfectly good sections out to make this particular story work. Just save the cuts for future writing!<\/p>\n
Much like the above method, this one involves going to your notepad or laptop with a few vague ideas and fleshing them out into a full story with no prior planning. However, in this version, you pause as you complete each chapter and edit it over and over until you\u2019re happy with it as a (somewhat) final version. Then and only then can you move on to create the next chapter, and so on, until you have written a whole story.<\/p>\n
This means you get all of the hard work (editing) out of the way as you go along, however, you need to be careful that working on a chapter by chapter basis doesn\u2019t result in a lack of flow. Also, with no prior planning, you may run out of ideas and need a break while you conjure some up!<\/p>\n
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This method involves some prior planning, with you creating a vague plot outline but nothing too detailed. This offers you the security of knowing you won\u2019t get lost while you write, but it does mean there will be lots of details to add in as you go.<\/p>\n
This method safeguards you from that \u2018what do I write now?\u2019 moment, but does mean that the writing process will be more arduous than if you\u2019d planned in detail before getting started. Which brings us onto the final method below.<\/p>\n
This method involves lots of planning before you even write a word of your novel. This means you sit down and plan the storyline from start to finish, using maps, timelines, and character backstories to ensure it\u2019s all ready for you to flesh out when you start writing.<\/p>\n
This method is beneficial because you will never be sat thinking \u2018what do I want to happen now?\u2019 However, this level of planning can be risky too as you may find, when it comes to writing the story, the character arcs don\u2019t quite fit, and so tweaking is often required as you go along.<\/p>\n
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