5 Ways to Start Your Novel

We've all heard it. "I'd write a novel, if I only had the time..." Yeah, right. Time is all it takes to become the next James Patterson, J.K. Rowling, or Thomas Pynchon.

Any project takes planning, and writing a novel is no exception. So accept that you have to do some reasonably heavy lifting before you even get to the pivotal scene that's been playing in your head.

1.????Tools: There’s a plethora of writing-specific tools out there, so it’s a matter of finding what works for you. Right now I’m jazzed about Evernote, which isn't specific to writers, but which keeps my organized and on top of all my research, drafts, and more. (A bonus is Scannable, which allows you to scan documents from your smartphone and sends them directly to the folder of your choice in Evernote.)

2.???Character file. Create a file card (either real or virtual) for each character, and spend time with them. Dig deep into their backstory, hobbies, favorite color. How do they respond to pressure, challenges, new situations? Why do they care about one sport and not another? Give them quirks, verbal expressions they use in dialogue, even (maybe especially) one or two negative traits. Even if you don't use all this information, you need to have it.

3.???Timeline. Was Elizabeth born in July or September? Is she older or younger than her brother Joe? Did the life-changing accident happen when she was twenty or twenty-five? All these and more are waiting to trip you up (they sure have done that to me!), so make it easy on yourself and note it all down.

4.???Geography. One of my favorite novelists wrote fantastic stories that took place in exotic locales, and he did it almost completely by using maps and travel guides (he was pre-Internet). If you’re going to make up a locale, go wild on the details, but if you’re going to—like me—use a real place, make it accurate. People will catch you otherwise, and let you know how you messed up this corner or that street!

5.???Plot. Have an idea where you're setting out for before you start writing, and it will raise your confidence level substantially. It doesn’t mean you’re married to your plot—in fact, it’s a strength to have your characters show you the way they want the story to go—but it means you’re not flying blind. Even if your final destination ends up being quite different from your original itinerary, you’ll have the assurance that you didn’t get there accidentally.

So there you go. Follow these steps and you'll find that the blank page isn't quite so terrifying!