Embarking On Your First Novel

Your Guide to Completing a Long-Form Work From Start to Finish

Now that you know different ways to outline a story, how to build suspense and tension, how to write compelling dialogue, and more, it’s time to get started on a first draft of your novel (or other long-form work)! With the tips and tricks gathered from the Facts of Fiction series so far, there are plenty of tools in the workhouse to use when writing a longer, more complex story. But how does one even begin tackling the challenge of writing an entire novel? 

First of all, know you’re not alone. November is now widely recognized as National Novel Writing Month, and whether you’re participating in the challenge of writing a novel this November or just interested in dipping your toes into writing a longer story, plenty of people are on this journey with you. Writing challenges can motivate you to strive for a realistic, if challenging, goal—such as 50,000 words in a month. Having this goal can keep you on-track for writing a novel. Our goal is to provide you with tools, like the ones outlined below, to keep you on track in beginning and maintaining momentum throughout writing a first draft of a novel or other long-form story. 

Setting and Keeping Writing Goals

Setting goals is one of the best ways to get words on the page. For example, a goal of completing 50,000 words in one month to about 1,700 words per day. Knowing and striving towards this daily goal will be the first step in setting yourself up for success in completing the challenge. Plus, it will force you to get into the habit of daily writing. 

While not every writer writes every day, getting into a regular habit of writing will help you become a better writer—and will ultimately result in much more content. Depending on your schedule, setting aside time to write is the first step in tackling any writing project. You might follow a schedule that looks like this: 

• 30 uninterrupted writing minutes after breakfast. 
• 1 hour writing period at noon. 
• 30 uninterrupted writing minutes after dinner.

Or maybe it will look like this: 

• 2 hours writing period before work. 

Or like this: 

• 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM: Writing time! 

Or whatever works best for you. Some writers find it easier to break writing periods up into smaller sessions. Others like to settle in for longer periods of time to really flex their writing muscle. Either way, the important part is making it fit into your schedule and what feels good for you.

Aside from time goals, setting a word count goal can also help. You should base this on your own writing pace. Someone who likes to write quickly might want to set a higher goal, whereas someone who takes their time should avoid overwhelming themself. Generally speaking, between 500 to 1000 words per day is usually doable. Add more to make faster progress. Take some away if you find you’re struggling to hit your count. 

There are also plenty of tools to help you do things like set a writing schedule and hit a word count each day or session. Here are three of our favorites: 

• Scrivener: This writing tool has templates for easier story creation, such as for novels, screenplays, short stories, and more. You can also track your word count or use pre-set templates for various novel writing challenges. Scrivener costs about $50 to $60 depending on what type you get, but once you have it it’s yours forever. They also have a 30-day free trial option. Tip: Ask around other writer friends to see if they have a Scrivener discount code lying around. 
• Word Count Trackers: Of course, word processing softwares like Microsoft Word and Google Docs also provide word count tracking. Other trackers include places like Writer, an online typewriter that offers a distraction-free place to get started and finish work. You can find different word count trackers online, so if you don’t want to invest in a program like Scrivener, it should be easy enough to find one that works for you.
• Notion: The organization software Notion provides free (and paid) templates that can help you track the progress of a novel or other story. Notion is free (though there is also a paid version) and can be an especially helpful tool in the planning process of a longer piece. 

You really don’t need anything fancy to write. These tools can be helpful if you find that you’re not getting as much writing done as you’d like, or if you need a place to organize all of your thoughts. But at the end of the day, it’s putting the pen to the page—or the fingertips to the keyboard, in this case—that will get you results! Other goals you might strive for are: number of pages written, story progress based on an outline, or chapters finished. 

Different Approaches to Revising Work

One question that writers always have to answer is what their editing process is going to be like. When tackling a challenge like writing 50,000 words in a month, we recommend just going for it and leaving the editing for later. But for regular writing, you may take a few different approaches. 

One option is to edit as you draft. The risk of this approach is slowing down your progress because you’re constantly going back to fix what you’ve written. This can sometimes feel like taking two steps back for every one step forward and may even have you questioning elements of your story to the point of frustration. If that’s the case, just remember that a first draft is a rough draft and you shouldn’t be striving for perfection with it. However, this approach can result in a more polished first draft, which can make further revisions feel less overwhelming. 

Another option is to wait until the end to edit anything. This will help you reach whatever writing goals you’ve set (especially if you’re working from an outline), but it may also give you more work for further drafts. Writers who enjoy this approach may find themselves with more content overall, which can either feel good or overwhelming. 

Finally, a third option is to combine the two. If you’ve set up a writing schedule that you’re trying to stick to, maybe once or twice a week you can build in a specific period for editing. This way, you’re not constantly editing, but you’re not leaving it all to the end either. 

Every writer does it differently. Our advice is to not let yourself get bogged down with the little details, whichever approach you take. Making the process of writing joyful is the best way to ensure you’ll make it a habit, from the first page of your novel to the last. 

If you decide to edit while writing, limit yourself to editing only a certain amount per day—and make sure you’re still hitting your word goals. If you prefer saving all the editing for the end, try highlighting places you know you want to fix so you have guidelines when you do dive into editing. Always remember that your first stab at writing something isn’t going to be the best version. Only through the process of revision can you land on a final draft that feels complete. So don’t be afraid to take risks with the first version of any story and just get those words on the page!

Wrapping Up Your First Novel and Beyond

When tackling a complex project like a novel, it’s important to: 

• Celebrate the small milestones. Each chapter you complete or each week you maintain motivation and write to your goal is worth celebrating. Decide how you want to celebrate these milestones ahead of time: maybe it’s a sweet treat or dinner out with a friend. Maybe it’s getting up and dancing at your desk. Whatever you decide, know that it’s worth a congratulations and you should feel good for getting this far!
• Reflect on your journey. Each week, ask yourself questions like: How did I feel while writing that? What do I like best about what I’ve just written? Where do I see areas for improvement in what I’ve just written? Are the goals I’ve set for myself working out? Reflecting will help you realize just how far you’ve come and adjust your goals as needed. 
• Plan the next steps. After finishing a first draft of a novel, what’s next? It may be time to dive into the editing process. Prep for revisions by rereading your work, finding critique partners, and potentially even thinking about what it will take to get your work published. Not all work is written with the goal of publication, but if that is your goal, it’s good to start thinking early about what you might need to do to make that happen. 

It’s All About the Journey

No matter what happens, taking on a complex project like a novel is a huge task. You should feel good about even considering it! Let us know what kind of novel you plan to embark on soon on our Instagram. And if you feel great about a short story, poem, flash fiction piece, or creative nonfiction work you’ve written, consider submitting to F(r)iction. We’re always looking for new voices to feature.