How Not to Write a Novel

You’ll hear it said that there is no one way to write a novel because everyone’s writing process is different. This is mostly true, but there are certain things you should never do. For example, if you’re looking to set yourself up for failure and ensure that you never finish that book, do not:

1. Make an outline. If you want your manuscript to be riddled with plot holes,

disorganized, and overlong, you should absolutely jump right into writing without creating (at the very least) a rough outline of your book beforehand.

This will allow you to come up with plot ideas while writing without having any reference for whether they actually fit into your overall storyline. You’ll also be less likely to finish writing your first draft because you won’t have a clear idea of how much you have left to write.

2. Create character profiles. If you want to include unrealistic and unrelatable characters, don’t construct a character profile. After all, how useful can a reference sheet of all the important details about each character—from their birthday or their favorite color to their secret talent or their worst memory—be?

3. Set yourself a realistic deadline. When you start your novel, make sure to give yourself a limited amount of time to write it. One month will do. The typical paperback is around 90,000 words. It’s totally realistic to write 3,000 words a day without stressing yourself out!

4. Write regularly. Absolutely don’t set yourself a daily or weekly word count goal. You definitely won’t get overwhelmed by the prospect of writing tens of thousands of words. It’s much easier to tackle a novel all at once instead of breaking it up into manageable and regular goals.

5. Write more than one draft. After all, most authors (especially first-time authors) manage to create a perfect novel on the first try!

Let us know how that all goes for you! We believe that whether you’re writing a fantasy epic or a nonfiction about a topic close to you, it’s always important to think your book through and to pace yourself. Masterpieces don’t happen overnight. They also aren’t the result of only one person’s efforts. While you are the author, you should always get a second (and maybe a third and fourth) opinion on your book before you submit it to an agent or a publisher. Let ours be one of those opinions!