Writing your first novel: the method that helped me move forward

Writing a novel is a dream many of us share, but going from an idea to a coherent, living story is a real challenge. For a long time I circled around my notebooks without daring to start, until I understood that it takes as much method as creativity. It all begins with an idea that obsesses you — the one you just can't forget is probably the right one.

Next, you need a solid plot. The three-act structure helped me enormously: the setup, the confrontation where obstacles pile up, and then the resolution. Every scene needs a reason to exist. But what readers remember most are your characters, so give them desires, fears and an arc. A good character isn't perfect; they're human.

I also learned to find my pace: a realistic goal, a few hundred words a day, and a routine. What matters isn't writing fast, but writing often. Once the first draft is done, you let it rest, rewrite it, and then have it read by beta readers who are kind but honest.

Today, publishing is more accessible than ever: traditional publishing or self-publishing, print, ebook or audiobook. But the most important thing is to start. Inspiration comes from writing, not from waiting.

Source: Écrire un roman