How To write First Draft
Writing a novel can be a lot of fun–but also a ton of hard work. It can take forever…unless you know how to do it in a month.
Here are 6 steps to get you started!
1. Prepare
Outline your novel. You can’t manage writing a whole novel in one month without planning. Map out your plot, even if you squeeze the entire thing into one paragraph. Another good idea is to make a character sheet.
2. Set a schedule
Plan out how many pages or chapters you are going to type each day. If you are writing a category novel, such as a mystery novel, then your novel should be about 25,000-50,000 words long. For more information, see How to write a novel.
3. Start writing!
Make sure you stick to your schedule and your plot. A few twists and turns may show up, but, hey, nobody’s perfect.
4. Edit, re-edit and keep editing.
Go back and read through the novel. This should take two to four days. DO NOT try to edit it all in one sitting. Your brain will explode.
5. Have somebody look at your work
Getting a second opinion is a very good idea. They might pick up little things you missed.
6. Read
This is my favorite part. You sit back, and read through your pages. Don’t be afraid to laugh at your own witty dialog, or cry when your main character’s best friend comes down with polio.
