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How to write a novel:
from story ideas to plot structure

You need to now how to write a novel before you start one. Ironically you only find out the how by doing it the first time. Sometimes it even takes a couple of tries before you really figure out the how. And even with the best of intentions you still might not get it right.

For me novel writing gets blocked because I worry that the idea that I am working on won't be the best possible idea. What I should be doing is working hard at making whatever I am working on the best it can be. That is the major reason why I have not finished a novel yet. Because I find it much easier to start a new idea than stick with an old one.

What is your reason for not finishing that novel?

And do not tell me that you don't want to write a novel. You would not be reading this page is some part of you, no matter how small, wanted to write a novel.

Why is it so hard to write a novel?

It is not merely a matter of wordcount. Just writing for one hour a day, every day, no matter how many words you write, will eventually get you up to enough words. But words are not enough. They need to be in a certain order. They need to follow a plot. The words need to combine to tell a story.

It is all about the story

A novel basically tells a story. Things may happen on the side and there may be subplots and beautiful descriptions but through it all runs a story. There may be more than one story. The story may be fragmented. I may be told back to front but there is always a story.

What becomes hard is not only the intricacy of the story we have to master. It is also the level of performance we require of ourselves. We not only want to write a novel, we want to write a novel that is equal to the best amongst the novels we admire.

What is a good novel?

Is it merely a story that is well told, keeping the reader engaged for more than 200 pages?

You need to help your reader identify with your story. You do that through the characters that you create. You keep the reader involved through a good plot. You keep them invested by writing good dialogue. You enrich their experience with good descriptions and you tell the story through your narrative writing.

Start on how to write a novel

You have many things to master in order to write a novel. It all starts by building up a wordcount. But that is just the first step. After that you also have to work hard, preferably every day, to master the craft of writing.