If the idea of writing a novel has ever appealed to you, you might have thought that the process for accomplishing this task goes something like this: sit down, start writing, and when you finish, get the book published; actually, however, there is plenty more that goes into the process than this. The publishing process is a long and arduous one, but if you reach the end of the road, the rewards are great; before you ever get to the “business side” of the process, however – with agents and editors and bookstores – there are a few important things you need to make sure you know about the writing process itself.
Write with the door closed: One mistake many people make is “sharing” their story with people while they are writing it; it is natural to be excited and to want to share, but it is important to “write with the door closed.” When you start to share bits and pieces of your story early on, your story will have a much harder time growing and maturing; because of this, you should “write with the door closed” – waiting to share your story with anyone until it is finished! Become a part of the Novel Writing Academy! Pick the right “first readers”: Once you have finished writing the story, you will also need to find some “beta readers”; these should be readers who you are close to, and who will be honest with you about what they do and do not like about your story. Edit, edit, edit: The biggest mistake many green writers make is assuming they have “finished” their novel when they write the last word, but actually, the writing of the novel is the easiest (and least time-consuming) part of the whole ordeal; now, it is time to edit your story and make it perfect – and when it comes to this part of the process, patience will be key! After you have finished editing (and have a product that you truly feel belongs on bookshelves), you will be ready to start approaching agents and editors, crossing your fingers to see what will happen next!
