The prospect of writing a novel can be a daunting one. Thousands of books are written every single year. Some of these come from major publishing houses and immediately land on the New York Times bestseller list; others are self-published debuts from novice fiction writers. While all stages of novel writing come with their own set of challenges, perhaps the hardest part of the entire process of writing a novel is actually getting started. Which is why we here at What We Writing thought we would help with a guide on how to start writing a novel. In this post, you’ll find our favourite tips on how to write a novel for beginners, including finding an idea you can’t let go of, creating a world and characters that feel authentic and believable, and establishing a routine that guarantees the process of getting through your story is both consistent and fun.
What To Consider Before Starting A Novel
Many writers wait to begin getting their first sentences or chapters to the page until they feel reasonably comfortable with their plot, characters, themes, and structure. Whilst others prefer the unpredictability of freewriting and stream of consciousness improvisation, most novels (especially debuts) are written are some intense brainstorming, research, and outlining sessions.
Even before the first line of their novel is written, some authors will have gotten feedback from loved ones and editors about their ideas and outlines.
Check Out Our Guide On How To Research A Novel
6 Essential Tips On Starting The Novel Writing Process
Starting a novel can feel overwhelming. However, with the right elements in place before you put pen to paper on your opening line, you’ll have the best chance of setting yourself up for success.
Build a World You Can Invest In
Your novel will involve readers immersing themselves in a specific world for the hours they spend invested in your story. More importantly, it will require you, as the author, to sink weeks, months, and perhaps even years into this world.
Choose a setting and a time period that interests you and keeps you engaged. Have more than one setting in mind? That’s okay too; however, do not underestimate the value of simplicity when it comes to storytelling, and don’t cram your novel full of changes in location just for the sake of keeping you engaged.
Find a Story That Fits The World
Novels are more than just a series of settings and time periods. They need to be driven by a story that remains just as compelling from the beginning, throughout the middle, and to the end. So, pick what story you want to tell and be sure it can keep a whole novel sustained.
If you think it might not hold an audience’s interest for several hundred pages, you might want to consider adapting your manuscript into a short story instead.
Check Out Our Guide To Novels Vs Short Stories
Assemble Your Cast of Characters
Now that you have a world and a story, identify who the main characters in your story are. Your protagonist is naturally the most important of these. A strong main character will have a rich and detailed arc that you, as the writer, will know every facet about – from their personal backstory to their characteristics, successes and failings.
The more you understand your characters, the more you will have to say about them to an audience.
Figure Out Your Ending
You might not have planned the beginning or middle of your novel yet, but think ahead to the reader’s experience. The part of your novel that will stay with them will most likely be the ending. Make sure you’re giving them a memorable one, whether your work is a feel-good romance or a gripping murder mystery.
From your perspective as a writer, having a clear ending in place might help you work backwards in building a story and a set of characters. The question in mind should always be: how are you going to get to this ending you’ve planned?
Split The Story Into Acts
Now that you know where the story is heading, it’s time to reverse engineer your narrative by separating it into acts. Classic stories follow a three-act structure, with each act ending on a significant moment in the overall story.
If you pace your narrative to develop progressively throughout the novel, you’ll find by the end you have a story that’s consistently good from start to finish.
Check Out Our Guide On How To Write The Three-Act Structure
Begin Writing Before You Get Cold Feet
Planning is a fun and essential part of your writing process – but don’t let overly meticulous planning keep you from the more pressing task, which is actually writing your novel.
Don’t worry so much about the quality of your writing to begin with. The first draft of your first chapter might be awful, and you might go back and rewrite the whole thing; however, getting something down on the page before you’ve lost your motivation is what’s important.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make When Starting A Novel
Some novels can be derailed by unfortunate decisions during the early stages of writing. Here are some of the most common mistakes people make.
1. The Main Character Isn’t Interesting
Some new authors fall into the trap of crafting quirky and memorable side characters rather than investing in their protagonists.
While supporting characters can be fun, funny, and darling, your story will feel flat if your protagonist isn’t a compelling three-dimensional character. Think carefully and critically about which of your characters you’ve chosen your narrative to orbit around.
If you find that your lead character might be a little on the dull side, maybe they shouldn’t be your protagonist. Either hit the drawing board again to make them more compelling, or ask yourself whether one of your supporting characters might be better placed to be your protagonist.
2. Clinging to a Scene That Isn’t Important
You might have one scene in particular that you absolutely adore. It might be a wonderful scene in its own right; however, that doesn’t always mean it’s adding to the novel’s overall story.
This unwanted attachment often involves the first scene in a novel, or perhaps a big event (sometimes referred to as a “set piece”) that you have planned. In many cases, this is one of the very first scenes you had in your head when you first began writing.
But good editing requires some tough emotional decisions, and you may find you need to cut a part of the book that you feel attached to in order to make your novel stronger overall.
3. Narration That Isn’t Consistent
The style of your novel’s narration is just as important as the actual story you’re telling. To create a consistent narrative style, you’ll need to make some decisions. Is your narration lean and spartan? Or is it florid and detailed?
Your narrative style may evolve over the span of your writing process; however, before your work is finished, ensure that the novel has a consistent voice overall to make sure it is one coherent piece.
Bonus: How To Stay Motivated After The First Chapter
Finishing your first chapter feels like a victory – until you realise there are a dozen more to go. Staying motivated is where most writers struggle, but it is also where your novel really begins to take shape. Here’s how to keep the energy up after that first burst of inspiration fades.
1. Shift From Perfection to Progress
Not every sentence needs to be perfect first try. Think of your draft as a blueprint, not a finished building. Focus on forward momentum – even 300 words a day adds up faster than you think. Progress creates motivation; motivation rarely comes fast.
2. Tackle Imposter Syndrome And Self-Doubt
Every author, from Stephen King to first-time writers, doubts their abilities. The trick isn’t to eliminate self-doubt – it’s to write anyway.
- Keep a “praise file” of positive feedback or sentences you’re proud of.
- Remind yourself: your first draft’s only job is to exist.
- Reframe comparison: instead of “I’ll never write like them,” try “They once felt exactly like this.”
3. Connect With Other Writers
Writing can feel isolating, but it doesn’t need to be.
- Join writing communities on Reddit, Discord, or local Meetup groups.
- Find critique partners – people who’ll hold you accountable and offer encouragement.
- Participate in events such as NaNoWriMo or writing sprints to reignite your momentum.
Being part of a community transforms writing from a solitary task into a shared journey. Seeing others hit word-count goals or push through tough drafts reminds you that persistence is the real secret to finishing.
Check Out These Writing Prompts For NaNoWriMo
4. Reward Yourself For Milestones
Create small incentives for each stage you complete – a coffee break, a new notebook, or a night off. Celebrating progress helps train your brain to associate writing with achievement, not stress.
Wrap Up
Every book – from The Hobbit to Harry Potter – began as a rough, uncertain first draft. The difference between “someday” writers and published authors isn’t talent or luck; it’s the courage to begin, even when the words feel messy.
Starting your novel isn’t about having every detail figured out. It’s about showing up – one idea, one sentence, one scene at a time. The blank page might feel intimidating, but it’s also full of possibilities.
So, open that document, jot down that first line, and let yourself write without judgment. Your story doesn’t have to be perfect; it just needs to exist.
Your novel starts today.
James has been passionate about storytelling ever since he could hold a pen. Inspired by the epic fantasy and historical dramas he devoured in his youth, his work now centers on dark, psychological tales featuring intense, introspective characters and atmospheric, gothic undertones. In 2025, he founded What We Writing to share his creative journey and the lessons he’s learned along the way with fellow writers and passionate storytellers.
