Five Things Every Novice Writer Should Know to Give Themselves the Best Start to Their Journeys.

I ask you to hear me out. I’m not published yet. I’m still working on a piece I intend to submit, and I am inexperienced with the business side of writing.

I bring almost eight years of writing experience. During that time, I’ve worked on my novel, some novellas, a few articles, and several poems.

I know what it’s like to be a new writer. I know what it’s like to have ideas swirling inside that you must get out. I remember being struck with my first idea for a story. It’s exciting to be in that place!

I also know about the challenges of writing, such as the temptation to procrastinate, burnout, writerly depression, and even choosing something to write about. Being a writer isn’t easy, and it isn’t always fun. I’m here to help you get off to a good start and provide wisdom for now and the future.

If you are curious about being a writer, I admire you for seeking advice before starting. I’m determined to give you a better sense of what it’s all about. Here are a few things I’ve learned that have helped me stick with my craft and keep a sober mind.

1: It never gets easy.

Writing is a daunting task. Simply brainstorming what to write can be challenging. While writing certainly isn’t the hardest gig, every writer in the business will tell you they face challenges.

And those challenges will always be there.

From the imposing task of finishing your piece to the beast that is publishing, writing never becomes effortless. You will always need discipline to meet your goals. Some days, it will take all your strength to sit down and write.

The good news is that you, as the writer, will grow more capable if you stick with your craft. As an artist, you’re a creative athlete. Workouts never become a cakewalk for a basketball player. Their muscles become honed with practice. The same goes for us writers. If you write consistently, study your craft, and remain determined, you will grow in your art and have success.

2: Learn About Plot Structure and Characters Right Away.

I wish I had done this. My first project was a novel, probably unwise for multiple reasons. I finished a seven-hundred-page rough draft and realized I knew nothing about structuring a story. I did not know how to execute a hook properly, what the inciting event was, or how to write a satisfying climax.

For example, all novels are structured around a hook, inciting event, rising action, climax, falling action, and conclusion. They vary in their work within these rules, but all follow them. Structure is a part of success. It does not drain your work of creativity; instead, it provides a method. It helps your ideas reach their desired effect by keeping everything organized.

I shied away from story structure for a long time. I feared it would make my stories formulaic and predictable. I’ve found that to be false. Since I’ve embraced structure, I’ve developed better plot twists and know how to weave them properly into a well-structured story. Because I’m learning structure, I have a deeper understanding of how stories work, which aids me in my writing and reading.

Outline even if you don’t want to. I became an outliner because I needed a visual to understand story structure better. Especially in genres like fantasy and science fiction, outlining helps keep everything together. It also saves time. It’s something anyone can learn to do, painful though it may be. I encourage you to embrace outlining, even if it’s outside your comfort zone.

I also didn’t know how to develop a character properly. I didn’t know how to get inside a character’s head, flesh them out, or tie character development to plot structure. While I’ve learned much over the years, I’ve much more room to grow.

The best advice I can give about characters is they must behave like people in real life. Observe people around you. How do they speak? What gestures do they use? How do they respond to problems? What are their personalities?

With that knowledge, you can better ask the questions you need to ask about your characters. What flaws does your protagonist have? How do those weaknesses get in the way of her realizing her goals? What other obstacles are on her path? How will she overcome her vices? How will she defeat the antagonistic force?

This approach applies to all genres and characters. Even fictional races must have a “human” element to them. In some way, they must think, feel, and behave in a way relatable to human experience.

Ultimately, that is what makes characters compelling. Their believability makes readers identify with or at least find them attractive because they see a connection between worlds. If there’s no connection, your characters and world will feel too foreign and thus not speak to the reader, making them put down your story. This is not to say you cannot have far-out concepts and worlds unlike ours. I take pride in being a fantasy writer. Your world and characters must reflect real life in some way.

Buy a handful of books on plot structure, outlining, character development, and worldbuilding. K.M. Weiland’s books on structure and character arcs have helped me greatly. Once you get these books in hand, highlight and take notes from them like you would a college textbook. Read articles on these topics and understand the inciting event, climax, and other aspects of structure. Learn about character tropes and archetypes, characterization, flat versus round characters, etc. Doing this before you begin on a significant project will make you feel more capable as you start writing.

3: Set Realistic Goals for Each Writing Session.

There are problems with me stating I will write for four hours a day. For one thing, what exactly will I do in that time? Will I spend one hour on a poem and three on a novel or short story? What about breaks? Am I used to working that much yet?

If you’re not used to writing for that long, a better goal would be committing to writing for one or two hours and compartmentalizing that time frame. For the first five or ten minutes, you could assess your daily goal, and then, for the next thirty minutes, you could write in your journal. After that, you write your main work in progress for an hour or so, then use the remainder to plan for the next day.

That’s just an example, but you get the idea. If you plan carefully like this, your tasks won’t seem as daunting, and you’re not as likely to procrastinate.

A timer will help you immensely! I often write in forty-five-minute intervals. Set an alarm. This should preferably be on an alarm clock or your computer. Your phone should be out of arm’s reach. This will make you better able to focus. Do this and what I mentioned earlier, and you’ll find your writing goals more doable.

4: Read widely and voraciously.

You may’ve heard or read this advice. Many writers hold fast to it. They’re right to do so. Diligently read fiction and nonfiction and become a scholar or specialist in your genre. Re-read these books, study their elements, and make note of everything that works and doesn’t work.

Not only will you grow more knowledgeable, but you will also gain fuel for your subconscious. I’ve learned when I find it challenging to write, it’s likely because I haven’t been reading as much.

Reading voraciously can be challenging if you’re an adult like many of us. Maybe you read so much in high school or college you’re burnt out on reading and stuck in a perpetual slump. Or you have a job and kids and can only read late at night when everyone’s asleep and you’re struggling not to join them.

Scheduling reading time helps. Start with one book, read a few pages or chapters a day, and build from there. Exercise will improve your mental stamina and focus. Before long, you’ll be reading a great amount and have plenty of fuel for your work.

5: Be a Servant.

One of the most dangerous things we can do is make our careers all about ourselves.

Yes, it’s essential to be happy with what you’re doing, but don’t be selfish with your writing; write with a “reader-centered” or “reader first” mindset. Think about how you can use your skill with the pen to help others, whether by providing an escape, sharing helpful insight, or simply providing readers with a good time. If you do this consistently, you’ll find true purpose in your art and feel more motivated, which will help those days you don’t feel like writing.

Remember to respect your audience. Appeal to their intellects and remember they’re spending their time and money supporting you and your platform. Don’t give them what they want at the expense of your story, but be considerate toward them and always think of ways you can bless them.

Conclusion.

One can give much more writing advice than I’ve listed here. I’m proud of all of you for considering being a writer. While there are frustrations, there’s much more to be grateful for. You get to create worlds and people, put your ideas out there, and contribute to people’s growth. I always know I’m using my time wisely when I write. Always take pride in your work, stick with your dreams, and enjoy the short and long-term blessings of being a writer.