When people find out I've written four novels, they often ask, "How in the world can you write an entire book?" For many aspiring novelists, the idea of writing hundreds of pages is so daunting that it keeps them from writing even one, which is a shame.
Here are some tips for how to get it done:
1. Set a dedicated time each day to write.
When people say they don't have time to read, exercise, work on their novel, reply to emails, etc., I never believe them. The simple truth is this: If something is important to you, you make the time for it. So if you want to write a book, set a designated time each day - even it's just an hour - and write. No excuses.
2. If you get stuck, edit.
When I can't think of what to write next, I often go back and tweak what I've already written. That way, even if I'm not advancing the story, I'm making the most of the time I've set aside to write. However, be careful not to do this too often and/or let it turn into a crutch that keeps you from moving forward. If you take a deep breath and concentrate, you can usually come up with something new to put on the page.
3. Don't wordsmith; highlight and move on.
If you're satisfied with the general content of a scene or chapter (e.g. your two main characters get into an argument over dinner) but aren't entirely satisfied with how it reads, highlight the section and move on. It's important to keep the story moving when you're feeling it. Then if you get stuck later, you can employ tip #2 above and put that creative energy to work on the highlighted areas.
In next week's post, I'll offer a few more tips on how to get that manuscript done.
-Maria
Maria Murnane is the best-selling author of the romantic comedies Perfect on Paper, It's a Waverly Life, and Honey on Your Mind. (Chocolate for Two comes out April 9.) She also provides consulting services on book publishing and marketing. Learn more at www.mariamurnane.com.
This blog post originally appeared on CreateSpace.com. Reprinted with permission. © 2013 CreateSpace, a DBA of On-Demand Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved.
Good, solid advice. Thanks for reminding us of these basic techniques. I'll keep trying to dedicate those set hours each day--that's the hardest part for me.......
Such good suggestions, Maria... a dedicated time is so important and I like the idea of editing when you can't write. When I wrote my book, I kept telling myself, "One day at a time... one page at a time."
Thank you!!!!
I am writing my fourth book now and the three tips you listed is exactly how I write. Especially #2! Some say not to go back and look at what you've written, but I would be lost if I didn't. Reading and tweaking the previous couple of pages always helps me to get back into the groove of writing.
And similar to #3, I have actually skipped whole scenes because I just wasn't inspired to write it yet. So I'd write what I felt like writing then go back to what I skipped later.
Last year, I created my blog Write With Fey because I also wanted to help aspiring writers by sharing how I write. I can't wait to read the second post! :)
Dedicated time and editing were already techniques that I use, but "highlight and move on" wasn't one I thought of. Thanks for giving me an additional strategy for using time effectively.
Thanks! Helpful tips!
Thank you for sharing!