Melissa Badamo's Blog - Posts Tagged "how-to-write-a-good-book"
The Trick to Writing a Novel; How I Published a Novel at 18
As novel writers, we often get discouraged and need somewhere to start. I was able to publish my first novel The Uncommon at 18 years old, and these are just some ways I was able to achieve my lifelong goal of becoming an author at such a young age.
1. Have a story to tell. Having something to write about is the first part of writing a novel. Ideas may come from personal experience, a spark of inspiration, or even a dream. Be creative. If you're at a loss for a plot, jot down some ideas to get inspired. A lot of writers become discouraged if they think their story is not original enough; however, all the stories have not been told. At least not in your way.
2. Be persistent. Persistence is the only way you'll transform your story idea into a 100,000 page novel. If you just keep writing, the story will come together like puzzle pieces sooner than you know it.
3. Have passion. A lot of it. If you have a deep passion for writing, you'll undoubtedly be successful at your craft. Passion is what drives the writer.
4. Get inspired. As much passion a writer may have, we all find ourselves staring at a wall thinking of what to write and how to write it. Whenever I have writer's block, I get inspired by reading and listening to music. Find what gets you inspired, and then keep writing.
5. Think about the book all the time. When you occupy your mind with the characters and plot of your novel, you'll constantly be brainstorming ideas. This also works for "mental editing," editing your story in your head. You need to keep your mind on your novel 24/7, and this shouldn't be hard if you have passion.
6. Keep rereading your work all the time. When rereading, you'll gain inspiration while also editing through your work to improve it even more.
7. Find time.. Without time to write, the pen on your notepad will remain untouched, just as the word document on your computer will remain unopened. After all, the words aren't going to write themselves! Find a time of day that works best for you; you'll do your best writing and editing, and you'll gain the most inspiration to really facilitate the completion of your novel.
8. Believe in your own writing. Self-doubt is a brutal killer of dreams. Don't compare yourself to other writers, because each writer has their own unique writing style. Instead of telling yourself "My writing isn't good enough," point out the positives of your own story and writing style. I bet there will be more than you think!
9. Keep reading books! They say the best authors are the best readers. Our writing style is a mixture of all the books we've read in our lifetime, which is why reading plays such a vital role in a writer's life.
1. Have a story to tell. Having something to write about is the first part of writing a novel. Ideas may come from personal experience, a spark of inspiration, or even a dream. Be creative. If you're at a loss for a plot, jot down some ideas to get inspired. A lot of writers become discouraged if they think their story is not original enough; however, all the stories have not been told. At least not in your way.
2. Be persistent. Persistence is the only way you'll transform your story idea into a 100,000 page novel. If you just keep writing, the story will come together like puzzle pieces sooner than you know it.
3. Have passion. A lot of it. If you have a deep passion for writing, you'll undoubtedly be successful at your craft. Passion is what drives the writer.
4. Get inspired. As much passion a writer may have, we all find ourselves staring at a wall thinking of what to write and how to write it. Whenever I have writer's block, I get inspired by reading and listening to music. Find what gets you inspired, and then keep writing.
5. Think about the book all the time. When you occupy your mind with the characters and plot of your novel, you'll constantly be brainstorming ideas. This also works for "mental editing," editing your story in your head. You need to keep your mind on your novel 24/7, and this shouldn't be hard if you have passion.
6. Keep rereading your work all the time. When rereading, you'll gain inspiration while also editing through your work to improve it even more.
7. Find time.. Without time to write, the pen on your notepad will remain untouched, just as the word document on your computer will remain unopened. After all, the words aren't going to write themselves! Find a time of day that works best for you; you'll do your best writing and editing, and you'll gain the most inspiration to really facilitate the completion of your novel.
8. Believe in your own writing. Self-doubt is a brutal killer of dreams. Don't compare yourself to other writers, because each writer has their own unique writing style. Instead of telling yourself "My writing isn't good enough," point out the positives of your own story and writing style. I bet there will be more than you think!
9. Keep reading books! They say the best authors are the best readers. Our writing style is a mixture of all the books we've read in our lifetime, which is why reading plays such a vital role in a writer's life.
