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Writing Tips for First Time Authors

February,17, 2020ByProwess Publications

Writing your first novel is fun but also challenging. Whether you are writing your first book or struggling to complete your second, sometimes you need help in focusing and figuring out how to reach your goal. Use these tips to help you go from the first sentence all the way to a completed book.

Outline your story idea

Before you start writing a novel, it’s important to find a book idea that will sustain your interest. A strong idea will be a fount of creative inspiration right to the final page of your book.

Once you have an idea, pen it down in two or three lines and pin it on your writing place, so that you do not wander too far off the track when you draft your story.

Schedule writing time for 45 minutes

When you sit down to write, set a timer for 45 minutes. Force yourself to begin putting words on the page immediately, and don’t stop until the timer goes off, even if you have to write about the weather. Then reset the timer for a 15-minute break. During the break, don’t check email; do something mindless. This trick frees your subconscious mind to tackle bigger issues in the manuscript. You will find that when you sit down again for another 45-minute session, you would have made a breakthrough.

Set writing goals

Only set writing goals that are completely within your control. Some writers set daily word count or page count. Be determined to reach your daily writing goals. This will help you stay focused on your manuscript.

Find the right place to write

Some authors choose to go into seclusion to write their book and come out only after they’re done. While it is not possible for all of us to head to a remote place to write, there are loads of alternate places around us that could rekindle the spark of writing and even fetch us ideas. Figure out which place you would be comfortable with, be it a coffee shop, beaches, parks, your room, etc.

Record your ideas

If you have a busy day at work or can’t sit down to write for another reason, find another creative solution.

If you have a phone that has a voice recorder feature, dictate ideas for your story in spare moments. Take days of missed word count targets and divide the number of words you meant to write up between upcoming writing sessions. You’ll make up for lost time easily.

Read Other books

Reading other novels when you’re in the thick of work on the novel plants the right shape for story-telling in your head. This will also help you analyze your writing style and make changes to them based on your book’s target audience.

Find trusted readers

When you are ready, find three trusted readers who will review your draft at the same time. Don’t read their critiques until you have all three. That way, you won’t be crushed if one person doesn’t respond the way you hoped, and you will be able to pick and choose the suggestions that most resonate with you. It’s your novel after all. Input is absolutely critical, but in the end, you have to scrutinize it and be faithful to your own voice.

These are just a few tips to write your first book. Subscribe to our email list to receive more helpful hints from us for writing and publishing.

 

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