As an author and book coach specializing in teaching others to write, I receive this question a lot. “Isn’t it difficult to write a book?”
My answer is always this: “Yes, but it doesn’t have to be.”
Writing a novel, whether it’s a fantasy involving new worlds or a romance containing scintillating love scenes, can be a challenge. The key to not being overwhelmed when authoring your book is preparation and perseverance.
Here are five common mistakes and how to avoid them.
Mistake #1 Plunging into the Actual Writing with No Outline
Take it from someone who made the mistake (more than once!) of not creating an outline, you should ALWAYS structure one before beginning any writing. The rationale is analogous to building a home. It would be foolish not to draft a blueprint before initiating construction. The same mindset applies to writing a book. “Winging it” is a recipe for disaster.
Mistake #2 Not Thinking Through the Plot at the Outset
Similar to the preparations involved in outlining, you want to know where your story is going throughout. The more you map out each chapter before writing, the better prepared you will be to tackle the actual scenes you will eventually write. A good idea is to consider which character will be in each scene, the setting, and what each character will want as well as their obstacle(s).
Mistake #3 Creating Unsympathetic or Two-Dimensional Characters
Fiction readers want to fall in love with the characters they read about in books. Even the villains. It’s crucial to take the time to make your characters’ qualities as specific as possible so they feel real. Find reasons for your audience to empathize with your creations. Give them strengths, but don’t be hesitant to make them flawed too. Perfect characters are boring.
Mistake #4 Procrastination
Once you begin writing, don’t take time off. Breaks for more than a day or two at a time are detrimental to your success. Inertia can be a powerful force. Don’t put off your writing. Even if you hate every second of it, force yourself to do a certain amount every day until the work is done. You’ll feel incredibly satisfied when your book is finally complete!
Mistake #5 Failing to Follow a Consistent Writing Schedule
This relates to #4. Establishing daily goals is key. Set a quota, such a word, page or timer count and follow through with your program no matter what. Little milestones matter to your overall mental health. So long as you feel productive, you will stay productive. Even if you don’t think your work is outstanding yet, continue to make your quota. The most important thing is to get all the ideas out of your head and onto the page. You will have plenty of time to revise the material later. Once your first draft is finished, rewrite and rewrite it until it is perfect.
Then rewrite it again. – MA
By Michael Ashley, Facilitator of Fiction in a Weekend, author of The 6-Figure Writer, and Consultant to Disney for Girl vs. Monster
