How to write

November is novel writing month. If you’re one of the thousands who have dreamed of writing a novel, now is the time.

Get ready - Do the preliminary work on your novel. If you don’t have a story idea, observe the world around you and take lots of notes. Once you have an idea for your novel, write an outline. The briefest roadmap will guide you along the journey. Sketch out the key scenes and make a list of topics you’ll need to research before writing these scenes. Complete character profiles. This will help you flesh out three dimensional characters with back stories, personality traits, and idiosyncrasies.

Get set - Find time to write every day. Review your calendar, block out time and honor your commitment, whether it’s thirty minutes or several hours. Let your family and friends know that you’re writing a book. This will let them know you have a commitment and make you accountable to others.

Go - Start writing. The main reason people fail to realize their dream is they fail to start. Don’t get frustrated if your words aren’t perfect. Don’t go back and edit what you’re writing until you get the first draft done. Write. Even if it’s awful, even if every single word is a struggle, just write. It will get easier.