To be honest, no one can tell you how to write. For me, writing a novel in a month’s time requires that I edit my words as I write them. I love to write. Take a look. Remember, you can always go back and change a name later. I use a version of the snowflake method when I outline articles for my website and blog, I don't think I ever heard it called that before, it's an interesting title. I have found there are many ways to do this, so I thought I would post some of the other ways people choose the names for their characters. Note: Don't edit as you go. This is when having a first reader or someone who is an editor read your book. Get a great idea. Thanks for the tips. They don’t find the time. Sandy Mertens from Frozen Tundra on June 18, 2010: James Jordan from Burbank, CA on June 09, 2010: great tips. So I’ll be doing it, and today I’d like to share my secrets to being successful at NaNoWriMo. I knew a lot of by this lens. This is a sad state of affairs during any era, but in this, the new golden age of fiction writing, it is downright tragic. This takes me into lunch time. Also see his new ebook, The Simple Guide to a Minimalist Life. The easiest way to do this is to write a chapter everyday. They sweated over every single word, toiled over every sentence, lost sleep over every paragraph, only to toss the whole damn thing out in the end. I like writing but I do not call myself a writer. Linda Pogue from Missouri on May 20, 2012: I use clustering mind maps to outline my writing. Here are a few of the other ways I have found. I must say that elements you put here look awesome...and steps are very well described. For the longest time, I had not idea there were other ways to outline a story. You just have to be disciplined. Very good advice. What a roller coaster!! Copyright: Mary Jaksch 2008-2019 | PRIVACY | TERMS AND CONDITIONS. Make sure you name all your main characters. You need a break. It was a lot of fun, and joining with the efforts of tens of thousands of fellow writers is an experience like no other. But I work professionally as an editor/writer. I do a lot of writing but nnot much fiction. Still got four books, including three novels done and selling on Amazon. When you find them, you will most likely have to change something else in the book to make things correct. This provides me with two advantages over those who simply plow through a first draft. If so, there’s one game-changing strategy you can’t afford to ignore. FInd your genre - and next bestseller - here, Science Fiction: The 16 Best Books to Read & Study, Word Count of Famous Novels (& How Long it Took to Write Them)[Infographic], How to Double Your Chance of Landing a Book Deal (Before You’ve Written a Single Word), Persuasive Writing Techniques: A Step-By-Step Approach, Inspired to Write: 20 Inspiring Quotes to Help You Through Difficult Times, 7 Powerful Lessons From 7 Legendary Writers, How Joining a Virtual Book club Can Help Deal With Coronavirus Stress, 4 Killer Ways to Find Ideas for Your Next Bestseller, How to Make Money Translating Other Authors’ Works (or Your Own), Gratitude Journal: How to Calm Anxiety and Boost Your Immunity, How to Earn Money as a Freelance Writer in 2020, Literary Agents: 10 Quick Tips to Snaring a Good One. 1. I would just find one or two that fit your personality and read them; keep them on your bookshelf so you can go back to them when you need them. Barbara Isbill from New Market Tn 37820 on January 12, 2011: Interesting lens! Relatively speaking, there aren’t that many serial readers out there, but all you need is a fraction of them who read (or listen in the case of audio books) all your stuff in order to make a very nice living. I take little breaks in between to heat up my coffee, or just go outside and breathe the fresh air. So I end up using Google Docs. It gives you the motivation to finally write that novel. How to Write a Book in 30 Days worksheets Worksheet 1: Worksheet 2A: Worksheet 2B: Worksheet 3: Worksheet 4: Worksheet 5: Worksheet 6: Worksheet 7: Worksheet 8: Worksheet 9: Worksheet 10: Worksheet 11: Worksheet 12: Worksheet 13: Worksheet 14: Worksheet 15: Character sketch General setting sketch Character setting sketch Research list Plot sketch Summary outline Miscellaneous … And there are plenty of tools to help Mac users succeed at National Novel Writing Month. I have always outlines the traditional way, you know... 1, 2, 3, a, b, c and so on. If you have a storyline of your own, that is great. You hear all the time about the writers who take, or took, years to write a single, 60K word novel. The only thing these books might be able to do is give you a few tricks that might make the process of writing a little bit easier.