I’ve wanted to write a novel for years. I’d roll into November (National Novel Writing Month or NaNoWriMo) feeling optimistic. I’d start out working on a new novel, feeling pretty good about where the story was going.

But as I kept writing, I’d run out of gas. I didn’t know where the story needed to go, and I’d just simply stop writing. Sometimes it’d stall out at the 10K mark. Other times I’d falter at 15K.

What gives? Am I just not good enough?

Each time, I’d walk away feeling defeated.

It turns out this kind of thing is normal. Like getting sunburn when you go out to the beach all day without sunblock (not recommended).

So how do you actually write a novel? Here are a few things I’ve learned along the way.

1. Yes, You Can Totally Wing It.

Some folks call this “pantsing” because you’re going by the seat of your pants. Weird name, right? If this approach feels natural to you, I recommend checking out Dean Wesley Smith’s book Writing Into The Dark. My friend writer Michael La Ronn shares more about the book here. (He actually has used this approach to write 30 novels! Crazy, right?!)

But here’s the secret with this “writing into the dark” approach: you’re really just outlining after you write. I interviewed Michael here, and we dug even deeper into his writing process. It’s absolutely free to sign up, and I interviewed not only Michael but also 15 more fantastic authors such as Gwen Hernandez and E.J. Wenstrom who write this way too. If you want to use this approach, you absolutely can. There is no rule saying you need an outline to start.

2. Or… You Might Need To Outline Before You Write.

For some writers, you might work best having an outline in mind. Maybe it’s your first novel and the story is simply too big to keep in your head. That’s no problem! There is no one way to write. There are several different methods you can use here to outline before you dive into writing your manuscript.

A word of warning: there is a great potential for procrastination here. If you’re not careful, you’ll spend time reading about writing and outlining, not writing!

I’m going to list out several here and include links that break down each one.

• • The Snowflake Method is where your story evolves from one sentence into a novel. For some folks, this “unfolding” of a story in an organic way will make a lot of sense.
  • Save The Cat is a methodology created by screenwriter Blake Snyder. The key to this approach is that it is primarily helpful for screenwriting, and you really have to dig deep into the genre of your story and be willing to pick and choose what parts work for you.
  • Hero’s Journey You already know this one. Just look at Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. This is basically the Hero’s Journey in film form.

• Using Index Cards. This is a pretty simple approach. You just write out scenes and ideas on index cards and then you can carry them with you or put them up on the wall. The cool part is using these handy cards allows you to shuffle up the order. If you’re writing a non-linear story, this could be very helpful.
• Story Maps is an approach by Dan Calvisi. He uses this method to break down storytelling and screenwriting in an analytical way. But the great news is he also keeps it very simple. For example, Calvisi breaks down the movie Speed into the following story engines: a bomb in a building, a bomb on a bus and a bomb in the subway. I love this simple yet structured approach.

Now I know what you’re thinking. You’re facing this dilemma now, right?

The good news is you can be wrong, and it’s not going to stop you from writing a novel.

Remember, this is a creative exercise, so some trial and error are involved. There isn’t one specific way for everyone to write a novel.

Don’t hesitate to look back at your past. If you know you are naturally a disorganized person, it is wise just to keep things as simple as possible.

It’s probably not the best time to start downloading apps like Scrivener that might distract you from writing. Maybe you should stick with good ol’ fashioned paper for a little while. Or maybe you’re tech-savvy and really good with apps. Scrivener won’t slow you down at all; rather, it will likely speed up the writing process for you. Whatever you decide, play to your strengths.

3. You Always Have The Option Of Trying Something In The Middle.

You can always create a simple one-page outline with some ideas on it. That’s fine too. Steven Pressfield does this with what he calls “The Foolscap Method.”

Steve shares a story where his mentor once said:

“God made a single sheet of foolscap to be exactly the right length to hold the outline of an entire novel.”

This approach works great for Steven Pressfield. Maybe it will work for you too. Don’t be afraid to experiment a little and try out whatever approach seems like the best fit.

Again, there is no one way to write.

So what’s next?

No matter what, you’ve got to start putting words on the page.

That’s the very best place to start.

Need a little help? No worries! I offer helpful, affordable coaching to help you get on track.