You’ve had that story swirling around in your mind for months—maybe even years. But every time you sit down to actually start writing your novel, something strange happens: nothing. The page stays blank, the cursor blinks, and you either overthink everything or give up before the first paragraph. Sound familiar?
You’re not alone. Starting a novel is one of the hardest parts of the entire writing process. The idea of crafting 70,000 to 100,000 words can feel overwhelming. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to write the perfect book right away. You just have to start. And the process becomes far more manageable—and even exciting—when you break it into steps.
Let’s walk through the essentials of how to get started on writing your novel, even if you feel completely stuck right now.
Step Ahead to Write a Novel With These Steps
Starting a novel can feel overwhelming, but taking it one step at a time makes the process more manageable and enjoyable. Whether you have a spark of an idea or a fully outlined plot, these steps will help you move forward with clarity and purpose. Let’s break it down and get your story onto the page.
1. Get Clear on Your Story Idea
Before you write a single sentence, give yourself time to really understand what you want to say. That doesn’t mean outlining every detail from beginning to end. It just means asking yourself a few questions like:
- What is this story about, at its core?
- Who is the main character?
- What conflict drives the story forward?
- What’s the tone or theme—dark, humorous, hopeful, tense?
It helps to jot down a short summary or “elevator pitch” for your book. This can be one or two lines that capture the essence of your novel. For example:
“A young woman discovers a hidden world after finding a letter written by her future self.”
You don’t need to stick to it forever. But having a basic direction gives your creativity somewhere to go.
2. Choose Your Main Character Wisely
Your protagonist will carry the emotional weight of the story, so make sure they’re someone worth following.
Ask yourself:
- What do they want more than anything?
- What stands in their way?
- What makes them flawed, relatable, or unique?
It’s tempting to create perfect characters—but it’s their flaws, vulnerabilities, and growth that make them believable. Your reader doesn’t need a superhero—they need someone human.
If you’re stuck, try filling out a quick character sketch:
- Name, age, occupation
- Strengths and weaknesses
- Backstory or emotional baggage
- A secret they’re keeping
- What they’re afraid of
Characters often reveal themselves the more you write. But having this initial foundation can spark deeper scenes later.
3. Set Up a Writing Routine (Even If It’s Small)
Here’s the truth: you don’t need to write for five hours a day to finish a novel. You just need consistency. That’s it.
Start small:
- 300 words per day
- 30 minutes after work
- One hour every weekend
The key is to create a routine that works for your life and stick with it. Over time, small word counts add up. In fact, writing just 500 words a day means you’ll have a first draft in roughly four months.
Try setting a timer when you sit down. Give yourself permission to write badly for 20–30 minutes. No editing. No overthinking. Just get words on the page. That’s how first drafts happen.
4. Don’t Worry About Writing in Order
A lot of new writers think they have to start with Chapter One and work their way through to the end. But you don’t. If a particular scene, character moment, or piece of dialogue pops into your head—write that first.
You can always rearrange later. Some writers even write the ending first so they have a clear goal to build toward.
If a scene excites you, follow it. That spark is what keeps your writing alive—and readers can feel it too.
5. Try a Loose Outline (Optional but Helpful)
You don’t need a 50-page outline to write a novel. But having a loose structure can help guide your process and keep you from getting stuck halfway through.
Try mapping out:
- Beginning: How does the story start? What changes for the protagonist?
- Middle: What obstacles or conflicts keep building tension?
- Ending: How does it all resolve? What does the character learn?
One simple method is the “three-act structure”:
- Act 1: Setup (introduce the world, characters, and problem)
- Act 2: Confrontation (things get worse, stakes rise)
- Act 3: Resolution (conflict reaches a climax and concludes)
It doesn’t need to be perfect. You’ll likely change it later. But having even a basic roadmap can save you a lot of confusion down the road.
6. Embrace the Messy First Draft
Here’s a secret most published authors know: first drafts are not supposed to be good. They’re messy, awkward, full of plot holes, and often cringey to read later. That’s completely okay.
Your only job in a first draft is to get the story out. Fixing it comes later.
So if you write a chapter that feels flat, or you change a character’s name halfway through, or you realize your middle is dragging—don’t stop. Keep writing. You can smooth it out in revision.
Anne Lamott famously calls this the “shitty first draft.” And honestly, it’s freeing. Let it be bad. That’s how you make room for something good to eventually show up.
7. Use Tools That Keep You Organized
While it’s tempting to write everything in one big document, staying organized can really help you stay motivated. Try using writing tools like:
- Scrivener – great for plotting and breaking your novel into scenes/chapters
- Google Docs – easy for cloud-saving and writing on the go
- Notion – perfect for tracking character details, timelines, and notes
- Campfire or Milanote – useful for worldbuilding and visual mapping
You can even keep a simple notebook to jot down character quirks, plot twists, or bits of dialogue that come to you during the day.
8. Surround Yourself with Inspiration
Sometimes the best way to write a novel… is to read one. Or five.
Surround yourself with stories you love—especially in the genre you’re writing. Pay attention to how other authors:
- Introduce characters
- Build tension
- Write dialogue
- End chapters
You’re not copying—you’re studying craft. And it fuels your creative energy when you see what’s possible.
You can also listen to author interviews, join writing communities, or follow writing prompts when you feel stuck. Writing doesn’t have to be a lonely process. Let yourself be inspired.
Conclusion
Starting your novel doesn’t have to feel like an impossible mountain. It’s just a series of small, doable steps—like choosing a character, finding a routine, or allowing yourself to write a messy draft. The magic of writing happens when you stop waiting for the perfect moment and start exploring the story you already carry inside you.
So take a breath. Open a new document. Write the first sentence. Or maybe just a note. Then show up again tomorrow. One page at a time, you’ll build a world no one else can write but you.
