10 Novel Writing Tips to Take You From Amateur to Author

In need of some helpful novel writing tips?

Maybe you’re tired of feeling inspired only for your fingers to freeze on the keyboard.

You’re thinking, I can’t write one decent paragraph, much less a manuscript!

The good news is you don’t have to worry anymore.

In this blog post, we’ll help you create an intriguing story premise, develop characters your readers will rave about, and actually finish the novel you started.

So, if you’re ready to turn that plot bunny into a bound book, keep reading!

1. Find Inspiration for Your Novel

Before you begin writing a novel, you first have to get story inspiration.

Here are two effective ways to get your creative juices flowing.

Put Your Own Spin on a Classic Story

Many novels use elements from other stories to create original narratives.

For example, you could write a “Cinderella”-inspired romance novel.

Imagine an orphan girl who lives with a cruel aunt. She secretly dreams of becoming a singer and performs chores while crooning in her cracked bedroom mirror.

Then, one night, she meets a ravishing bandleader at a karaoke party and…you get the idea.

Pick a timeless story and turn it into something new.

Pull From Real Life

Some of the most captivating stories arise from personal experience.

For instance, Margaret Mitchell drew from her Georgia upbringing and her relatives’ firsthand accounts of the Civil War to write the best-selling novel Gone with the Wind.

Taking inspiration from real life allows you to tell a richer story because you know what details to highlight and how to use those details to build a world that readers will believe in.

2. Craft a Promising Premise

A premise is the central idea of your story.

It describes the main character, their goal, and the obstacles they’ll face.

Consider the following techniques to craft a premise that reels readers in.

Have a Theme in Mind

Align your premise with your theme.

Maybe you want to impart how we should accept ourselves and each other.

With that theme in mind, you could imagine a young, sheltered protagonist who lives in a small town. A family moves next door to him, but his fellow neighbors reject the newcomers.

Your protagonist is curious about this family. He’s especially intrigued by the daughter his age who shares an interest that the other townsfolk think he should abandon.

See? A simple theme can go a long way when it comes to crafting an irresistible premise.

Picture Your Protagonist

What’s the recurring image of your main character?

Do you envision them riding an Amtrak train, their face pressed to the window?

Or, are they dragging their feet as they approach an immaculate boarding school?

Visualize your protagonist and then use that picture to inform your premise.

The train passenger could be returning home from rehab, desperate to leave the past behind.

As for the person traipsing towards the school building? That character could be a scholarship kid who doubts she’ll fit into her new privileged milieu.

Once you settle on a key visual for your protagonist, the premise will begin to write itself.

3. Craft Compelling Characters

Now that you have a premise, focus on creating characters worth caring about.

But what makes a compelling character? We have a few ideas below.

4 Essential Qualities That Comprise Compelling Characters

1. Desires: When a character wants something and does everything in their power to get it, we begin to hope that they do. It becomes our own desire.
2. Fears: A character can’t get what they want easily. If they did, the story would be mind-bogglingly boring. Enter: fear. It’s what holds your character back from achieving their wildest dreams.
3. Flaws: People have flaws and so should characters. Flaws make your character interesting, yes, but also believable.
4. Misbeliefs: A misbelief is something you believe to be true but is actually false. The conflict of a story, which keeps us reading, often stems from a character’s misbelief.

4. Stick to a Story Structure

A story structure refers to the sequence of events in a story and how these events coalesce into an engaging narrative experience.

Below, we explore three different types of story structures.

Freytag’s Pyramid

Freytag’s pyramid divides a story into five parts: the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

The exposition introduces the main character and their world.

Next comes the rising action, which is when the protagonist pursues their goal and the stakes rise.

At the top of the pyramid is the climax, or the most exciting part of the story.

Beyond the climax lies the falling action, which decreases the narrative tension.

The story then comes to a close with the resolution.

The Three-Act Story Structure

This structure breaks the story up into three acts: the setup, confrontation, and resolution.

Within these sections, you have the familiar exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and conclusion.

But unlike Freytag’s pyramid, this structure highlights various plot points. When taken together, they track the general ebb and flow of the story.

The Hero’s Journey

Instead of following the traditional beginning, middle, and end template, this story structure frames the larger story through the lens of a character arc.

A character arc usually boils down to three stages: the departure, initiation, and return.

During the departure stage, the hero embarks on an adventure.

The character proceeds to triumph over a great challenge in the initiation stage.

Later, they return home, having undergone a life-changing transformation.

5. Streamline Your Process With Novel Writing Software

Writing a novel can be time-consuming and labor-intensive.

Thankfully, numerous software exist to expedite your writing process.

Check out three of them below.

3 Types of Novel Writing Software That’ll Simplify Your Process

1. Scrivener: Scrivener is a popular word processor and story planner known for its rich features. It organizes your notes and helps you keep track of your writing goals. It also offers index cards, name generators, and other useful resources.
2. Reedsy Book Editor: Though not the most customizable writing software, Reedsy Book Editor is incredibly user-friendly. It typesets as you write, and its two primary themes will give your manuscript an attractive appearance.
3. Dabble: Dabble is another word processor that keeps your notes in a central location and tracks your writing progress. It has the added benefit of being a straightforward writing software and makes it easy to collaborate with co-authors.

6. Outline Your Spellbinding Story

After you select a novel writing software, the next step is to outline your story.

But first, let’s address a common question.

What’s the Difference Between Outlines and Story Structures?

A story outline sequences the events in your novel. It ensures your story doesn’t miss a beat (pun intended) and instead progresses seamlessly from one plot point to the next.

A story structure shapes your story so that it resonates with readers. Think deliberate pacing, dynamic character arcs, and other elements that create an engrossing story experience.

2 Outlines That’ll Map Out Your Novel

You can plan your novel with one of two outlines.

The first one is an in-depth outline. This type of outline includes detailed chapter summaries and scene descriptions. It often reaches 10,000 words.

The second type is a synopsis outline, which is usually one to two pages.

The synopsis outline forgoes minute detail and instead lists the basic plot points of your novel.

7. Write Now, Edit Later

Now, it’s time to put pen to paper, or fingers to keys.

Unfortunately, many writers impede their writing progress by editing as they type.

Here’s why you should resist that overpowering urge.

The (Brainy) Reason Why You Should Save Editing for Later

According to Barbara Oakley’s book A Mind for Numbers, our brains can only operate in either of two modes of thinking as we perform a specific task.

Focused mode thinking allows us to analyze information and solve problems. You use this type of thinking to edit your work.

Conversely, during diffuse mode thinking, our minds tend to drift. This enables our brains to subconsciously form connections between disparate ideas and produce new insights.

You know how when you write, you often lean back in your chair, stare at the ceiling, and ponder, say, how to describe the sheen of a character’s hair in the moonlight?

That’s diffuse mode thinking.

So, if you want to stay in the creative zone, save editing and highly focused thinking for later.

5 Tips to Resist Your Inner Editor

Resist the editing urge and maintain your writing flow with these five tips:

1. Disable spelling and grammar checks.
2. Use dual screens to avoid switching tabs.
3. Go with your first thought.
4. Use the enter key instead of the backspace button.
5. Don’t read your writing until after you’re done.

8. Finish What You Started

You’re making steady progress on your novel and consistently meeting your word count goals.

The only thing left is to keep your momentum and actually finish what you started.

Here are five strategies on how to do just that.

5 Strategies to Reach the (Writing) Finish Line

1. Revisit your reason for writing: Whether you dream of appearing on bestseller lists or you hope to write the book you always wanted to read, think about your writing why.
2. Write consistently: Establish a writing routine instead of waiting for inspiration.
3. Prepare for writing challenges: Surmount obstacles like writer’s block, self-doubt, and online distractions by devising solutions beforehand.
4. Take a break: Stepping away from the screen will help you recharge and gain insight.
5. Keep things simple: That goes for outlines, story structures, prose, and other factors. When you complicate your writing practice, you risk overwhelming yourself.

9. Assess Your Work With an Editor’s Eye

After the writing process, step away from your story.

Then, after a couple of days, return to it with an editor’s eye.

But, what exactly are you looking for when applying this editing lens?

We answer this question below.

What Elements of Your Novel Should You Edit?

When editing your novel, pay attention to the following:

• Structure: Address plot holes, poor pacing, and irregular sequencing.
• Characterization: Ensure consistent and well-crafted characters.
• Word Choice: Optimize your language for clarity, flow, and impact.
• Grammar and Mechanics: Correct errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

10. Put Your Novel Out Into the World

Once you’ve polished your manuscript, think about the different publishing paths.

2 Types of Publishing Paths That’ll Put Your Name in Print

Here are two publishing paths to consider:

1. Traditional publishing: This is when you sign a book deal with a publishing company, and the publisher receives the right to print and distribute your novel.
2. Self-publishing: Self-publishing is just what it sounds like. You decide against pursuing a book deal with a traditional publisher and instead put the novel out yourself.

Which Publishing Path Should You Take?

Traditional publishing may be the best option if you want the backing of a big publisher.

Maybe you’re looking for mainstream success or hope to win a prestigious literary award.

While traditional publishing doesn’t guarantee either, it can certainly boost your chances.

But if you prefer creative control over mass appeal, self-publishing is the better route.

When you choose to independently publish your novel, you get to oversee every aspect of the publishing process — from book blurbs and cover design to marketing and distribution.

Use These Novel Writing Tips to Bring Your Book to Life

Before you do anything else, think about why you want this story out in the world.

Will it fill the void in your chest? Or, will it finally rid your brain of pesky plot bunnies?

After you uncover your own why, unearth a more profound one.

Why do people need your book in their hands?

Will it transport them to dazzling fairylands? Will it hold a mirror up to their souls?

Find your why and the one pulsing beneath the surface.

Then, write a novel that stirs the hearts of readers worldwide.