“Every secret of a writer’s soul, every experience of his life, every quality of his mind, is written large in his work” ~ Virginia Woolf
Becoming an author can change your life—not to mention the impact the author’s voice has on the readers. However, writing a novel is not a piece of cake. It is better to call it quits then completing a book. It happens when you run out of ideas, or your own story bores you, or you become overwhelmed by the scope of finishing what you started, compels you to quit.
For a beginner, writing can seem daunting, but if you have a passion to write your own story and know the ways to make the process easier, you can make it to the end of your novel. So without further ado, let’s discuss ten tips which can keep you motivated till the end of your project.
- Set deadlines and writing goals
Make sure you have set a benchmark of words per day so you can get started with your project. Most novels are between 50,000 to 100,000 words. If it is your first draft, you can set it up to 75,000, to begin with. Setting a deadline can push your limit and keep you motivated to write even when you are disinterested in writing.
2. Prepare before you write
While some writers sit down and start to write without having the basic idea of the entire story, it can be challenging to keep going with the story. This is why it is important to prepare a basic synopsis, a mind map or a summary outline of the story so you can write without facing any problems.
3. Know the characters of your story
The better you know your characters, the easier will it get for you to unfold your story. Understand your characters like you understand your friends. You don’t have to know every detail about them, just the basics to keep you going with the story. The characters of the story play a significant part in developing the scene and ultimately the story of the book.
4. Use the write tools to produce
If you use Microsoft office to write a novel, it is soon going to get frustrating as they are great for some writing projects. This is why authors use writing tools that are made for writers. There are a number of programs which you can use to write your books, but make sure whatever program you use must be productive, reliable and efficient. Always work in a comfortable environment so you can be more productive.
5. Schedule your time
There is no perfect time to write. You need to build motivation to write, which may be difficult to get but scheduling you time may kick start your story. Schedule the best time you think you can be creative at. Choose a place and time with minimal distractions and force yourself to write. Just write without thinking about the perfect word. Once you start, words will start flowing completing your novel.
6. Start with writing, finish at editing
One of the biggest mistakes beginners usually make is editing while writing the draft. Your draft doesn’t have to be perfect in the first go. Once you are done with the draft then you can start with editing so you can cut or add scenes in the novel.
7. Write fast
If you have set a deadline, writing fast can help you achieve your goals faster. It also helps you to write continually without having to second guess your work while you are writing. Write from the stream of consciousness and make a story which flows like your thoughts. Getting the words on the page should be your focus, making sense can wait for the editing phase.
8. Connect with other writers
Writing can make you lonely! So don’t just give yourself up for your passion for writing, but connect with other writers or hire writers and collaborate with them to produce a masterpiece. There are many places such as Upwork, Fiverr or BookwritingINC to create an exceptional novel.
9. Don’t forget to give yourself a break
Writing is a creative process. You need to think creatively to produce creative. Sitting at the same spot for hours won’t inspire you. Try stretching, or other creative breaks to get yourself started. Try drawing or painting. Take a hike in the sun or go for a picnic on a beach. Getting out and doing something different from writing to get inspired.
10. Don’t give up
Calling it quits means writing was never your passion. You can be overwhelmed by the process, but your love for writing should keep you going. Stick to your deadline and don’t forget to give yourself a break to keep yourself motivated to achieve the goals.