How to Write a Fiction Novel in 10 Steps

Are you dreaming of seeing your name on the cover of a newly published fiction novel? How about seeing your novel in bookstores?

Imagine receiving letters from readers telling you how much they loved your book and can’t wait to read more.

Isn’t that exciting?

Maybe you’ve tried writing a book before, but something stopped you.

You thought your writing wasn’t good enough.
You ran out of ideas.
Your story idea didn’t hold up.

These are only a few of the challenges many writers face. So how can you get over those hurdles?

With a novel-writing plan that you can use over and over again.

The journey from blank page to finished book can seem daunting, but it’s an achievable dream with the right roadmap.

In this 10-step guide, we’ll break down the essential steps on how to write a fiction novel, from crafting a captivating story idea to polishing your final draft.

How to Write a Fiction Novel in 10 Steps

Step 1: Choose a story idea.

You probably already have a story idea (or several) floating around in your mind. But if you don’t, you might need to do some brainstorming.

Grab a pen and paper and start making a list of story ideas. Here are some ideas to help you:

Write what you know
Make a list of everything you love
Use writing prompts
Try people watching
Play the “what if” game

Once you have your list, choose one that you are most excited to write about.

Brainstorming Ideas and Techniques for Your Fiction Novel

Step 2: Create conflict.

Exciting page-turning novels have some type of conflict to keep readers engaged. If characters don’t have challenges to face, their lives will be so boring. And nobody wants to read that.

Conflict pushes the plot forward and makes the characters grow. There are two main types of conflict: external and internal.

Before you start writing about the idea you chose in step 1, ask yourself these questions:

What is the protagonist’s main goal in the story?
What is their motivation for achieving that goal?
What is stopping them from reaching that goal?

The more your protagonist wants to reach their goal, the more invested readers will be in the story.

How to Create Central Conflict in Your Fiction Novel

Step 3: Create realistic characters.

Similar to real people, fictional characters have pets, hobbies, personal histories, obsessions, and thoughts. These characteristics play an important role in shaping how a character responds to and emotionally processes the event in their life. To improve your fiction novel, it’s important to understand all sides of your characters so that you can carefully describe how they might react when faced with the pressures of the events unfolding in the story.

Various parts make up a realistic character:

Backstory
Goals
Flaws
Personality
Worldview
Physical traits
Moral values
Spiritual beliefs

How to Create Realistic Characters for Your Fiction Novel

Step 4: Create a captivating story setting.

A story with a captivating setting is taken to the next level. When writing a fiction novel, a great setting is a must. It provides the framework for the story, creates the location and time period, and includes all the little details and distinctions that make that place interesting. An interesting story setting should help tell your story, deepen your plot, enhance your characters, set the mood, increase the emotional connection to your characters, and engage the reader.

There are key elements that add to the creation of an interesting setting:

Graphic location
Physical location
Physical environment
Time period
Social and cultural environment

Creating a captivating story setting requires some planning and research. Researching the location, environment, and time period is important because you need to know exactly how to “show” the setting to your readers. That way they can visualize the story as it unfolds. They will feel like they are right there in the story walking alongside the characters.

How to Create a Captivating Setting for Your Fiction Novel

Step 5: Outline the key plot points.

A plot point is a major turning point in your story that affects the character or the path of the story. Plot points move your story forward and give it momentum.

Most authors hate outlining, but it helps ensure you don’t run into major roadblocks later on. You don’t have to create a detailed outline. Just plan out the key plot points, such as the inciting incident, the midpoint turn, and the climax.

The most effective method for planning the key plot points depends on your writing style and preferences. Here are some other popular approaches to consider:

The Snowflake Method
The Three-Act Structure
Plot Point Outline
Character-Driven Plotting
Mind Mapping

How to Outline Key Plot Points in Fiction Writing

Step 6: Choose the point of view you’ll be writing in.

Point of view is the narrative voice through which readers experience your story, describing the perspective from which your story is told.

There are three main types of point of view:

First-person
Second-person
Third-person

It’s important to understand how each point of view can impact your story. Choosing the point of view that is best for you can be a challenge, so just try mixing it up and writing from different viewpoints.

However, it’s crucial to establish your point of view quickly and stick to the viewpoint you’re writing in.

How to Choose the Point of View That’s Right for You

Step 7: Create a writing schedule.

When you’re thinking about how to write a fiction novel and planning everything out, don’t forget to include creating a writing schedule. Having a schedule in place will help you:

Overcome writer’s block
Boost productivity
Reduce stress
Improve your writing skills
Maintain work-life balance
Stop procrastination
Build momentum and motivation

The key to writing a fiction novel is consistency. To create a writing schedule, first figure out when you want to finish your first draft. Then, figure out how many words you need to write every day to achieve your goal. Carve out an hour or two from your daily schedule to concentrate on nothing but writing.

How to Create a Writing Schedule

Step 8: Create a writing space.

Even if you’re on a tight budget, you can still find a space that is specifically for writing. There are many benefits to setting up a dedicated writing space, some of which include:

Keeping you organized
Encouraging discipline
Helping you set a routine
Improving your concentration
Encouraging creativity
Cultivating mindfulness
Boosting productivity

Your writing space should be personal, unique, and comfortable and it should meet your needs. Here are some ways you can create a dedicated writing space in your home:

Choose the right spot (such as an unused closet or a corner in your bedroom).
Use comfortable furnishings.
Choose the right lighting.
Label it a work-only space.

How to Create a Cozy, Creative Writing Space on a Budget

Step 9: Write your first draft.

The point of your first draft is to get the story down on paper and out of your head. This is not the time to edit anything or worry about grammar or spelling. It’s just about getting all the ideas out of your mind and letting your imagination flow freely. Editing will come later.

When writing your first draft:

Time your writing sessions
Just write freely, getting all the ideas out
Only do the most basic research
Track your process

Don’t worry about these things while you’re writing your first draft:

Editing
Writing quality
Voice and style
Descriptions
Themes
Perfect structure
The little details

How to Write a First Draft

Step 10: Edit your first draft.

Now that you’ve gotten all your thoughts and ideas down on paper, it’s time to start editing.

The first step in editing your draft is to take a break. Walk away from your novel and forget about it for a few days, or even a couple of months. This will allow you to come back to it with fresh eyes.

After you’ve taken a long break away from your work, it’s time to turn your messy draft into something amazing.

Start by editing the big picture – focus on fixing plot problems, strengthening character arcs, or adding/deleting scenes and/or chapters if necessary.

After editing the major things, you can go back and edit the smaller things, such as making sure the dialogues are clear and easy to understand.

If you plan to self-publish, it’s well worth the money to hire editors to help you strengthen your novel.

How to Edit Your Draft

Fiction Novel Editing Tips

Conclusion

Writing a captivating fiction novel is an achievable goal, and this guide has provided a comprehensive roadmap to help you navigate the process. Each step, from creating your initial story idea to meticulously editing your final draft, equips you with the necessary tools to write a successful fiction novel.

This guide is only a foundation for how to write a fiction novel. While practice and consistency are essential, getting feedback and exploring different writing techniques can also significantly improve your writing. However, with this foundation in place, you are now empowered to transform your creative vision into a publishable manuscript.