How To Write a Novel for Beginners?

There’s something magical about the idea of writing a novel. Whether it’s a story that’s lived in your head for years or a brand-new idea sparked by a recent dream, the desire to put words to page and build a world of your own is powerful. But if you’re a beginner, writing a novel can feel like trying to scale a mountain in flip-flops. Where do you start? How do you keep going? And more importantly, how do you finish?

This guide is here to help you walk through the novel-writing process from the first idea to the final draft. No fluff. No pressure. Just real, practical steps for first-time writers.

What Is a Novel?

A novel is a long-form work of fiction, typically over 40,000 words, that explores characters, themes, conflicts, and settings through a cohesive plot. Unlike short stories, which may focus on a single moment or twist, novels dive deeper into character development and world-building, allowing readers to become fully immersed in the story.

Genres can range from romance and fantasy to crime thrillers, literary fiction, science fiction, and beyond. Whether you want to write the next dystopian hit or a small-town coming-of-age story, your novel begins with one decision: to begin.

Why Write a Novel?

Writing a novel is more than an artistic pursuit—it’s an act of courage and commitment. For many, it’s a lifelong dream. For others, it’s an opportunity to process emotions, express creativity, or share a story only they can tell.

Here are a few reasons beginners start writing novels:

• They love reading and want to create their own stories.
• They have a message or theme they want to explore through fiction.
• They seek creative fulfillment or a new career path.
• They want to challenge themselves with a long-term creative project.

The reason doesn’t have to be lofty—it just needs to matter to you.

Step 1: Come Up with an Idea That Excites You

Every novel starts with an idea. Not necessarily a perfect or fully-formed one, but something that makes you curious. It could be a character, a setting, a dramatic moment, or even just a “what if?”

Don’t worry about originality at this stage. Focus on what excites you enough to spend the next several months—or years—exploring it. If it lights a spark, it’s worth pursuing.

Questions to ask yourself:

• What themes or topics do I care about deeply?
• What kind of stories do I love reading?
• Is there a character I’ve imagined that won’t leave me alone?
• What kind of world would I love to escape into?

Capture your thoughts in a notebook or a digital document. This is your story seed.

Step 2: Develop Your Main Character(s)

Characters drive your story forward. Readers stick with novels because they care about the people in them. Your protagonist, or main character, should have a goal, flaws, and room to grow.

Think about who your character is:

• What do they want?
• What are they afraid of?
• What stands in their way?
• How will they change by the end of the story?

The more layered and emotionally resonant your characters are, the stronger your story will be. Don’t focus only on the hero—develop the antagonist, side characters, and relationships too. These add depth to your novel.

Step 3: Outline Your Plot (Even Loosely)

Some writers swear by detailed outlines. Others prefer to discover the story as they go. If you’re a beginner, a loose outline can save you from getting stuck or writing yourself into a corner.

Your plot doesn’t need to be rigid—but you should have a rough idea of the beginning, middle, and end. Think of it like a road trip: you can take detours, but it helps to know the destination.

A basic structure to start with:

Section	Purpose
Beginning	Introduce characters and their world
Middle	Introduce a major conflict or turning point
End	Resolve the conflict and show change

Knowing your main conflict and where the story is headed can keep you grounded during the writing process.

Step 4: Set a Realistic Writing Goal

One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is trying to write their novel in one burst of inspiration. Novels take time. They require consistency more than intensity.

Choose a writing schedule that fits your life. Whether it’s 500 words a day, 1,000 words three times a week, or two hours every weekend—make a commitment you can stick to.

Creating a realistic timeline keeps you motivated and prevents burnout. Remember, a novel is not written in a day, but it is written one word at a time.

Step 5: Write the First Draft Without Looking Back

Your first draft is supposed to be messy. It’s not about perfection—it’s about progress.

Write to get the story out of your head and onto the page. Don’t worry about beautiful sentences or plot holes. Those will be fixed in revisions.

This phase is about momentum. Keep moving forward. If you get stuck on a scene, skip it and come back later. If a character changes mid-story, let it happen. The first draft is the raw material you’ll shape later.

Most first novels take 60,000–100,000 words. That can feel intimidating. But writing just 500 words a day means you’ll have a full draft in 4 to 6 months.

Step 6: Revise and Restructure

Once your first draft is done, celebrate. Most people never make it this far.

Then, let your manuscript rest for a week or two. When you return, read it as a reader. Take notes. Identify what works and what doesn’t.

Common areas to improve in your second draft:

• Clarity of plot and pacing
• Character development and consistency
• Dialogue flow
• Emotional stakes
• Grammar, spelling, and sentence structure

This is where your novel takes shape. You may need to cut entire chapters, rewrite characters, or shift the story’s timeline. That’s okay. Revision is where the real magic happens.

Step 7: Get Feedback and Edit Again

Before you think about publishing, it’s important to get outside feedback. Share your draft with trusted readers, a writing group, or a professional editor.

Choose people who will be honest but constructive. Ask them what confused them, what moved them, and what they wanted more of. Don’t defend your choices—listen.

Then revise again.

After revisions, do a thorough line edit or hire a copy editor. Polish the language, fix errors, and make sure every sentence serves the story.

Step 8: Decide How You Want to Publish

Once your manuscript is polished, it’s time to consider your publishing path. Today, writers have more options than ever:

Publishing Route	Description
Traditional	Submit to agents or publishers; they handle editing, printing, and distribution. Competitive and slower process, but potentially larger reach.
Self-Publishing	You manage the process yourself—formatting, cover design, editing, and marketing. Faster and gives full creative control and royalties.
Hybrid Publishing	You pay for certain services but retain rights and profit; a mix of traditional and self-publishing features.

Each option has pros and cons. Do your research and choose the route that aligns with your goals and budget.

Step 9: Stay Committed and Keep Writing

Your first novel will teach you more about writing than any course, book, or podcast. It will also challenge your patience, confidence, and creativity. Some days will feel like flying. Others will feel like trudging through mud. But every word is progress.

Many bestselling authors didn’t find success with their first novel—but they kept going. And that’s the key. The more you write, the better you get.

Writing a novel is not just about finishing a book. It’s about becoming a novelist.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to be a literary genius to write a novel. You just need to be willing to learn, stay consistent, and believe that your story matters. And it does—because no one else can tell it the way you can.

So, pick up your pen, open that blank document, and start. Even if you’re scared. Even if you don’t know how it ends.

The only way to write a novel is to begin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How long should my first novel be?
For most genres, 60,000 to 90,000 words is standard. Fantasy novels often run longer, while romance and YA can be shorter.

Q2: Do I need to take writing classes before starting?
Not at all. While classes can help, many novelists are self-taught. Read widely, write regularly, and study craft books if you want to deepen your skills.

Q3: Should I hire a ghostwriter if I’m stuck?
If you’re struggling to finish or polish your novel, hiring a ghostwriter or editor can help move your project forward. It’s especially useful if your goal is to publish professionally.

Q4: How do I know if my idea is good enough?
If you’re excited by it and can’t stop thinking about it, it’s good enough. The execution matters more than the idea itself.

Q5: How long will it take me to finish?
That depends on your writing schedule. If you write 500 words per day, you can finish a first draft in about 4 to 6 months.