10 Steps to Completing a Novel

If you've always wanted to write a book, but you've never quite gotten around to doing it, help is here!

Take a look at these ten steps designed to help you start and finish the book you've always wanted to write.

1. Commit to your goal. This time you are really, really going to write the book you've always wanted to write.

2. Don't let anyone or anything take you away from your focus on completing your novel.

3. Read all you can on the topic of writing. The more you know, the better the project will go.

4. Write everyday. No excuses. Even if you spend only 15 or 20 minutes on your work in progress (WIP) you must write everyday.

5. Designate a workplace and work there. This helps to keep your focus on writing, and it's a gentle mental reminder that you are to work in this location.

6. Schedule writing time and stick to it. Discipline is very important when writing. You are working alone; no one is watching over you, making sure you're working so anything you can do to help with self discipline is good.

7. No matter if you are discouraged, "blocked," or lazy, you MUST write.

8. If you really, really can't get anywhere on your current WIP, don't quit writing; work on another writing project. Personally, I usually have several projects going at once. I seem to be more productive when I work on more than one project at a time.

9. Make a daily goals chart if you need encouragement and reward yourself each time you complete a goal.

10. Never, never, never give up. Persevere until the first draft is complete.

Writing, like any other pursuit, requires dedication and commitment. If you can stick it out throughout the process of completing a book, you'll discover rewards you never expected.

Fran Shaff
Webpage: http://sites.google.com/site/fshaff