Fiction-Writing Dos And Don'ts For Beginners
So, you want to write your first fiction novel. Whether you aspire to make a full-time living off of your writing or simply want to get published on the side, the fact remains that just about anybody can get published as a fiction writer these days, thanks to online and eBook publishing. However, if you want to achieve success in terms of high readership and great book reviews, there are some important things you'll want to keep in mind along the way.
DO Start Out Small
First of all, don't expect that you're going to be able to crank out a fiction novel right away. If you're relatively new to fiction writing, the best thing you can do is to start out small. By starting with short stories and working your way up to longer ones, you can practice with developing characters carrying out your plots without committing to a 500-plus-page novel. Not to mention, starting with short stories is much less intimidating. Aim to crank out a few 20-page short stories before you even attempt your first novel; you'll be glad you did.
DO Keep an Idea Notebook
When you're a writer, ideas can come to you at any time and inspiration can strike when you least expect it. As such, you must always be prepared. This means carrying around a small, pocket-sized notebook at all times so that you can jot down ideas as they come to you. If you carry a smartphone, you can also consider utilizing your phone's built-in notepad feature to take notes. Whatever you do, just be sure to get those ideas down as they come to you; don't rely on your memory alone, or you'll lose a lot of great ideas this way and kick yourself later on.
DON'T Be Afraid of Criticism
Finally, understand that even the greatest writers of all time struggled with their writing at some point. Don't make the mistake of becoming too attached to your ideas or overly confident in your writing, as outside feedback (whether from other writers or simply people who enjoy reading) can make all the difference. If you haven't already, consider looking for a fiction writers' meetup group on your area and begin attending meetings where you can share your work and receive feedback from others, as well as provide constructive feedback to those in the process of writing their own fiction novels.
Of course, the best thing to get you into the writing mood is to read. Check online for fiction book reviews to see the most popular ones trending now; you can learn a lot from what others have already done.