If you’ve noticed why I’ve been a little MIA on the blog lately, it’s because… surprise… I’M WRITING A NOVEL! Two, actually! (Ahhh!!!) If you follow me on Instagram @thepetitenewyorker, you know all about it. Writing is a passion I discovered over the summer, and it’s brought me so much joy during this crazy year — can you believe we’ve been in quarantine for a year already?! My novel has been my baby and I’ve kept it a secret for so long, but I’m excited to finally share with you all!
Ever since I started telling people about it, the thing I hear the most is: “Oh wow, I’ve always wanted to write a book, but…” But what? But I just can’t get myself to do it? But I don’t have the time? But I have no idea where to start? I’m going to stop you right there 🙂 There should be no “but”! My rationale is simple. If you want to write a book, then write it!
I know, I know, that sounds obvious. But you are the only one in charge of your life, which means you’re the only one in your own way. There is a TON of information on the internet about how to write a novel, but all the advice I’ve seen is too technical and overwhelming. I don’t know about you, but reading about plot development and conflict isn’t exactly the most helpful when you’re just starting out with a blank slate.
Which is why I’m breaking it down for you in 10 easy, actionable steps — just some things for you to think about as you embark on your writing journey.
And if you want to, I’d love for you to join me! I’ve started a writing community on Instagram (check out my Writing Journey Stories highlight) for us to support each other as we navigate this together. I’ve called it No Write or Wrong because I truly believe that there is no right (hehe) or wrong way to write, as long as you put words down on a page. To join, all you need to do is fill out the template below for each day you write, share it to your Stories, tag me @thepetitenewyorker, and hashtag #nowriteorwrong so that we can all see it, share it, and cheer each other on!
So without further ado, read on for How to Write a Novel in 10 Simple Steps!
- Be curious about the world around you. The best thing about inspiration is that you can truly find it anywhere. Observe people you pass on your walks or at the grocery store. Read the news or listen to a podcast. Binge watch your favorite shows. I kid you not, I was in the middle of binge-watching Spanish period dramas on Netflix (Gran Hotel and Velvet — if you haven’t seen them, I highly recommend, even if you don’t speak Spanish) when my idea for my first book came to me. And my book isn’t even a historical novel! It just goes to show how ideas can come when you least expect it. I love to keep a note on my phone to jot down any random thoughts that come to me. It might not make sense in the moment, but trust me, it’s best to just have everything down on a page because you never know what might stick or lead to another idea!
- Reflect on key milestones in your life. Was there something that happened in your life that was amazing? Or perhaps something that wasn’t so great? If so, what could’ve gone differently? These are all great questions to ask yourself when you’re brainstorming ideas for your novel. Letting you all in on a little secret: my first novel is inspired by my semester abroad! Unlike most people, I didn’t actually have the best time abroad. There were amazing moments, for sure, and it was definitely life-changing — but overall, it just wasn’t that great. Which got me thinking… what if things happened this way instead? And before I knew it, I had my whole story figured out!
- Find your voice. What is the story you want to tell, and why are you the perfect person to tell it? As cheesy as it sounds, there is only one “you” in the world, so your perspective and voice is already unique. The key is finding that voice and making your novel as “you” as it can be. You want people to read your work and recognize that only you could’ve written something like that.
- Let the creative juices flow. This is YOUR novel, so you have full control. Don’t limit yourself with word count, preconceived expectations, or self doubt. Go into it with an open mind and see where the journey takes you! Create fun backstories for your characters. Heck, maybe even draw them out! What do they look like and how old are they? What are their friends and families like? What do they love… and what do they hate? I love making up stories about random people because it’s just so much fun. That coworker who drives you crazy? Maybe she’s buying a house and stuck in a bidding war with the first boy who broke her heart, and that’s why she’s so stressed and angry all the time. That nurse who just gave you your COVID vaccine shot? Little does she know, she’s winning the lottery tomorrow, which she’ll use to pay off her kid’s college tuition and then travel the world. Anything is possible! Let your imagination run free.
- Believe in yourself. You are your biggest fan, and if you don’t take yourself seriously or believe in yourself, why would anyone else have a reason to? I’m going to get personal here for a second. Never in a million years did I think I would write. Growing up, English was consistently my worst subject in school. In fact, on my first essay in high school, I got a 76. I will never forget this. It was an essay on A Separate Peace, and I wrote a sentence that was along the lines of “this book talks about…” My teacher stared me down, called me out in front of the whole class, and said “Books don’t talk. Got that, Margaret?” I was MORTIFIED. I wish I could say that was the only time in my life something like that happened. But unfortunately, it wasn’t. In fact, on my semester abroad, I took an English literature course (my first one ever) and my professor announced in front of everyone that I did the assignment wrong. I didn’t… it’s just that everyone else in the class was a literature major (in Europe, it’s common for students to declare a subject when they apply to university, and that is all they study) and obviously way better at analyzing literature than I was. All this to say, here I am now, with one novel complete and another one in the works!
- Set goals. I don’t mean “I’m going to get published and land a TV-adaption deal with Hulu by the time I’m 30.” I mean realistic, actionable goals that you can do to hold yourself accountable. For instance, setting a monthly word count target, finding a writing buddy, or carving out 30 minutes to write before you go to bed. You don’t need to be a “full time writer” to write a book. I’ve been writing while balancing working 40+ hours a week as a management consultant. A little bit each day is better than nothing. Even five words is progress! It’s five words more than you had yesterday. And if you’d like to join a community where we’re all in it together, check out my No Write or Wrong Community on Instagram (see above)!
- Read. A lot. Read books by authors in the same genre. Have a favorite book? What did you love about it? Was it the plot that sucked you in, or the author’s writing style that you simply couldn’t get enough of? The more I read, the better I write because I’m learning the craft as I go. I learn what I like, and what I dislike. I love finding inspiration from fellow writers — and think about it, these authors were in your shoes! How cool is that?
- Write for yourself, not for others. If it’s your first book, don’t put too much pressure on yourself to turn it into something. The most important thing is that you enjoy writing and are having fun! Writing should be an escape, something that brings you joy. If it starts feeling like a chore, then maybe take a step back and reflect on why you feel that way. Once you find your voice and purpose, there’s nothing more fulfilling than creating something from the heart. Writing is extremely personal. Don’t worry about who will see it — you don’t have to show it to anyone! Which brings me to my next point…
- Take it one step at a time. Querying and agents and deals, oh my! The whole publishing world was SO foreign to me when I first started writing. It still is. But the thing is, you don’t need to think about all that just yet. The first step is having a complete manuscript draft. Of course, it’s great to do some research along the way, but don’t overwhelm yourself thinking about the future. Just focus on the present and devote your energy into making your novel the best that it can be. The rest will all fall into place when the timing is right.
- Just do it! I’m going to borrow a slogan from Nike here, and say just do it! The hardest part is overcoming the mental hurdles we’ve placed on ourselves. Here’s a truth for you: your book will suck. This thought crosses EVERY AUTHOR’S mind at some point or another. I’ve gone from “OMG I’m so proud of myself, this is amazing” to “this is the worst thing in the world and it should never see the light of day” overnight. Your first draft will never be perfect. Once you accept that, it makes it a whole lot easier to just put words down on a page. Keep going and see where it takes you. At least have a solid draft done before making any big decisions. You’re not committing to anything by just writing it down — I can guarantee you that you’ll make many rounds of edits before even showing your novel to anyone else. If you keep waiting for the perfect idea to come, or the right moment to begin writing, then you’ll never start. And once you do start, you’d be surprised at how fast momentum builds! My experience is that once I start writing, I find it really hard to stop!
And that’s it, friends! If you’ve ever toyed with the idea of writing, I hope you found this somewhat helpful — and if not, I hope this was at least entertaining! As for me? I’m currently making edits to my first novel with the feedback I got from beta-readers, and from there, I’ll do a final round of review with some friends before starting the (daunting) querying process! Who knows what could happen? It’s possible that this dream I never realized I had could come into fruition, but it’s also possible that I get rejected from all the agents I reach out to. While that’s a scary thought, at least I know I gave it my everything. And I’m pretty darn proud of myself for doing something so out of my comfort zone. I just have to wait and see what’s next.
Best of luck, and I hope you’ll join me for the ride!
