Writing Advice for First-Time Authors

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Writing a book for the first time can feel overwhelming. Where do you even begin? How do you stay motivated? What do you do once the book is written? The secret to writing a book with no experience is to break down the task into small, manageable steps. Here’s how to handle the most common setbacks and obstacles that first-time authors face.

What do you want to share?

The first step before you even write a single work is to understand why you want to write this book. Ask yourself: “What story or message do I want to share?” Think about who your target audience is and what you want readers to take away from your book. Knowing your “why” will help you stay focused and driven when you face challenges throughout the writing process.

Develop your idea

Begin with a clear concept in mind. If you’re not even sure where to begin, not to worry. Start by freely brainstorming. Write down ideas, themes, or topics you’re interested in. Don’t judge or edit. Just write and get them all out on paper (or screen). Consider which genre you want to publish in. Do you want to write fiction? Nonfiction? Self-help? Fantasy? A memoir? Which genre resonates the most with you?

Take the time to understand your topic and your target audience of readers to help you better refine your idea.

Create a writing plan

Having a structured process in place can make writing feel like less of chore. You can start by setting a goal, such as a specific word count or number of chapters. A novel can be anywhere from 50,000-90,000 words, but don’t let that deter you! Here again, when you break it down into manageable steps, it’s much more doable.

From there, break your goal into daily or weekly writing targets. Find a quiet place that’s free of distractions so you can concentrate on your writing.

Outline your book

Outlining your book will help give it direction and flow, as well as prevent writer’s block. We’ve created a helpful guide to outlining chapters to get you started. It includes different types of story structures, plus advice on going from draft to print. To outline your book, define the beginning, middle, and end of the story, then list key points for each chapter. From there, flesh out the chapters with sub-points, characters, themes, or facts.

Fear of starting

The fear of starting is one of the biggest roadblocks for beginning authors. Some first-time authors may struggle with imposter syndrome or the fear of failure. To overcome this, start small. Write a single paragraph, a scene, or just an idea. Get something out on the page.

Remind yourself that it’s a first draft and that it doesn’t have to be perfect. Stay inspired by reading other books in your genre. Watch interviews with other authors or listen to podcasts. If they could do it, so can you!

Create a writing routine

One of the best steps you can take is to create a writing routine. Consistency is a must, not just for writing a book, but for completing it. Set aside specific times to write, even if it’s just once or twice a week. Set your phone to “do not disturb” and create an environment where you can focus. Share your goals with friends or a group of writers to hold each other accountable.

Write your first draft

The first draft is all about getting your ideas out. It’s not about perfecting or refining. At this stage, you should be more worried about progress instead of grammar and style. If you’re stuck, you can always leave a placeholder and keep going. Set milestones and celebrate the small wins, like completing a chapter.

What about writer’s block?

Writer’s block happens to even the best and most experienced writers, so you’re not alone! If you’re not sure what to write, try changing your setting. A new location can refresh your perspective and get the creative juices flowing. You can also skip ahead and write an exciting scene to break out of the doldrums of world building or character profiles.

Otherwise, you can simply free-write. Set a timer for 10 minutes and just write whatever comes to mind. Rant about how the ideas aren’t flowing, about how your neighbor is playing the drums entirely too loud, or just anything that comes to mind. It will feel cathartic to get it all out, and then you’ll find that you can settle down and concentrate on your story again.

Refine and edit

When the first draft is done, it’s time to refine. Take a break and let your writing get “cold” for a few days, so you can approach it with fresh eyes. Take the time to read your writing aloud, too, as this can help you spot any awkward phrasing or flow issues. Focus on the big changes first, like making adjustments to the plot or structure. It can also help to use an online writing tool to revise the grammar and syntax of your writing.

Get feedback

Getting feedback from others, particularly those who enjoy reading books in your genre, is important. Ask friends and family or post in writing groups for feedback. Connect with other writers in your genre or enlist beta readers to give you feedback.

Time to publish!

Your draft is polished, your chapters flow nicely, and your story is ready to be told. What happens next? You could go the traditional route with a traditional publisher and submit your manuscript, but you should be prepared for rejection. If you’d rather see your book on store shelves quickly, why not choose to self-publish?

With a company like BookBaby by your side, you can get support with all of these steps, from editing to book cover design, to print and marketing. Visit our website to learn how you can achieve your goals of being a self-published author!