Achieving Your Author Dreams
Actionable Tips That Pave The Road To Success
How often has the picture above been you? There is no better feeling than picking up a book and immersing yourself fully in the plot. While I’m sure everyone has been on the reading end at least once in their lives, there is a whole new world on the other side!
Writing a novel isn’t easy, and neither is staying on task. Whether you’re working on a Fantasy, Romance, YA, Dystopian, or taking on another novel genre, maintaining a consistent schedule is key to success.
But, what else can you do? From one author-hopeful to another, here are a few tips I’ve used to keep myself on track while writing my first novel.
Read Books Written By Other Authors In Your Genre
I’m sure you’ve got your idea in mind by now, so the next best step is to read stories by other stand-out writers in your genre. This step will help you understand what works, what doesn’t, how to approach the beginning and end of a novel, how to fill in a book with meaningful events, and more.
Your understanding of the genre will grow and help you decide if it is the right one for you. Feel free to take notes if that will help you build the best novel possible. Understanding your genre will allow you to write with greater ability and tackle the book head-on.
Take Your Idea & Create A Brief Outline ( Minimal Preparation )
If you are a pantser by nature, feel free to skip this step altogether. For some people, the idea of writing an in-depth outline that covers every chapter and character is anything but pleasant.
People who prefer a little structure while developing a novel may find short, straight-to-the-point outlines helpful. A good rule of thumb is to write out your What, When, Why, Where, & Who, and a little about your characters and plot.
These can be as in-depth or brief as you want them to be. Now, you should be well on your way to utilizing your new written tool along with your creativity to craft a great storyline!
Map Out Your Characters & Flesh Out Your Outline & Scene Cards ( Heavier Preparation )
Come one, come all, fellow plotters! Sometimes, your creative memory won’t suffice, especially if you think of a line that makes you want to dance on the spot.
Writing down every chapter’s storyline and blending them out within the outline and scene cards has become my favorite method of writing. The three-act structure is a commonly used method of plotting. But, going chapter by chapter is okay too.
If you want to take it further, open a separate document to develop your main and side characters. Identifying your protagonist, antagonist, essential side characters, and all of their traits will make story development easier for plotters.
Schedule Time In Your Day To Write Each Week
Instead of writing whenever you have time, work in an hour or two and dedicate it to creating your novel. Even half an hour is a great start! This way, you can establish your novel as an equally important part of your day.
Additionally, you will already have the time set aside as opposed to scrambling to fit it in between daily activities. Distraction and stress-free work environments are one of the main keys to giving your book the attention it deserves.
Set Deadlines For Your Chapters And Novel Completion
Do you have a general idea of when you would like your novel to be complete? Do you have dreams of holding a completed copy of your book in your hands? While the road to a full-length novel is long, it is not impossible.
Setting clear deadlines and abiding by them will make the process much easier. Keep in mind the date you’d like your novel completed and set your chapter deadlines based on that goal.
Instead of “I want my novel to be complete sometime next year”, set your dates and make your dream a reality.
Don’t Work In Your Bed
Working from the comfort of your bed may be nice, but it can actually be counterproductive. We naturally associate our beds with comfort, relaxation, and sleep, none of which are helpful to the trying author.
Establishing a designated work area will help you associate that area with work and productivity. Your novel progress will flourish in a solid work environment, so make your way from your bed to your desk and hit the keyboard.
Take Breaks
The last thing you want to do is burn out before you’ve begun. At times, you might find yourself sitting in front of a keyboard with the cursor resting on a page as blank as your mind.
While pushing through the block works for some, others might feel more rejuvenated and ready to write after a break. Writing consistently and staying on task is essential, but so is giving yourself time off. Cut yourself some slack and do something you enjoy. Watch a movie or hang out with a friend, and then try again! After all, there is no story without you, so why not put your best foot forward?
