Contributed Post
Writing is a process, and it is one that takes a lot of time, dedication, and in many cases masochism. You have to be very critical of yourself to push your writing abilities to new heights. You need to be willing to go through your finally-completed-novel and to cut it up and edit it down until it is nothing short of gold. The idea of writing a novel, after all, is a lot prettier than actually getting down and getting it done, so, if your goal in 2019 is to write and finish a novel finally, follow these steps to get it done on time.
Do Your Research
Though you can follow this Medium article on how you can write a novel, first you need a clear understanding of what truths you want in it. Every book needs research. There is so much you can learn from the real world, and so many exciting plotlines, characters, and settings you can recreate in your writing if you only knew about them. Commit to reading and learning, so that even your fantasy can feel realistic and compelling.
Learning Your Process
Every writer has a different process, and it is okay if yours differs from what others do. If you write best by jotting down all of the “good” parts first and then bringing them together later, go for it. It is best to know the rules, however, before you break them. So brush up on the top writing and narrative techniques outlined on Study.com, and work out how you can adapt them for your own use.
Be Disciplined
When it comes to actually plotting and writing your article, you must be disciplined. You will want to:
1. Work at the Same Time and Place
One of the best pieces of advice is to write every day. It doesn’t matter if you don’t use that work, or if you end up changing it the next day entirely. What does matter is that you get into the habit of writing. Improve this habit by working at the same time and place every single day, and schedule in some breaks if your writing time is longer than an hour.
2. Take Productive Breaks
One thing that is important to remember is that breaks are not the enemy. If anything, they can actually help you solve the question of what happens next with less effort that forcing yourself to look at your screen for hours on end. Schedule breaks, get away from your computer, stretch, refuel on healthy snacks, and even have fun. Something as simple as playing a casino game on Unibet can give your mind the break it needs to come back to your problem fresh.
Remember: The First Draft is Never Your Last Draft
The most important part of any novel is getting past your first draft. This, however, does not mean that your novel is in any way finished. Your novel might look entirely different once you use these tips from Jericho Writers to self-edit, and that’s okay. Editing is what makes a masterpiece, so commit to it.
