10 Ways to Start a Novel

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I’m always hearing complaints about how people don’t know how to start their novel. So in an effort to inspire you, here are some suggestions:

1. A Flashback Scene.
We get to see the main character when they’re younger, and it introduces us to the theme very early on (pun intended).

2. The End.
Maybe a glimpse of the climax, which the reader won’t fully understand until reading the rest of the book, when it finally clicks into place.

3. A Prologue.
A favorite of Fantasy and Science Fiction writers, prologues let you explain the world you’re throwing the reader into. Warning: most people don’t read them.

4. A Dream Sequence.
I would not recommend it, but it’s a very popular beginning. Why, I cannot fathom, so don’t bother asking me.

5. Your Main Character Waking Up.
See #4. At least this one you can make your own by turning the cliche on its head.

6. The Death of a Character.
The Go-To of murder mysteries. Death always changes things up. Especially if it’s a king. Without an heir.

7. Falling Down the Rabbit Hole.
After a page of normalcy – woop! Magical world to explore and all sorts of fun plots to unfold.

8. The New Mysterious Character.
Introduce a new person into the static mix of your world. See what they shake up.

9. The Beginning of Time.
Think David Copperfield. Les Miserables. The Bible.

10. In Media Res.
Possibly the most popular way to begin a novel, because it sucks you right into the action. Remember, exposition is for wusses.

10 Ways to Procrastinate

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You want to write. You really do. But sometimes you have to do that one last thing to clear your mind so you can really get started.

1. Clean everything.
Clean your desk. Can’t write with a messy desk, can we? But look at the state of your room. So distracting. We’ll just pick up a few things. When did the house get so dusty? Better fetch a rag…

2. Outline your story.
You’re working on your novel. Really you are. But you can’t write if you don’t know where the story’s going, right? Oh, just got a good idea for a scene near the climax…

3. TVTropes.
Warning: Addictive. You just need to look up one archetype. You blink, and it’s three hours later…

4. Run your errands.
Oh crap. You need to go out and buy milk. And stop by the post office. And you need to run some things over to whats-her-name. And while you’re out you might as well stop by the library…

5. Create a playlist.
How are you supposed to write the great love scene without mood music? It’ll just take a second to put some songs together. There’s a good one. That one too. And that…

6. Play with your pets.
They look so lonely, staring up at you with morose unblinking eyes. You’ll just toss the ball once for them. Man, when was the last time they had a walk? And it’s so gorgeous out…

7. Stay outside.
Well the dogs are walked, but it’s so nice out, it’s a waste of the day to not enjoy the sunshine! Where did I leave that soccer ball…

8. Feed the body.
Oh man, so hungry. You’ll just have a quick snack before you get back to writing. That wasn’t filling enough, so maybe one more…

9. Feed the mind.
Jeez, sitting here munching is so boring. You drag out a book to entertain you. When you reach the end of the chapter, you realize your bowl has long been empty, and it’s not the same chapter you started…

10. Read about procrastinating.
Hahaha suckers….Hope you enjoyed procrastinating with me!

10 Ways to Get Started Writing

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Lizzy Bennet, from Lost in Austen

Sometimes the hardest part about a writing session is the very beginning. In the words of Elizabeth Bennet:

“I can comprehend your going on charmingly, when you had once made a beginning; but what could set you off in the first place?”

Below I have listed 10 different ways to try to set you off on your writing. I hope at least one of them works for you!

1. Switch up your environment.
If you normally type away, try writing in a journal or on some notepaper. If you normally sit at your desk, try the floor or outside. Whatever you want, just try something different.

2. Take one minute to brainstorm.
Remember on timed essays, when your teachers told you to take a few minutes to think about what you’re going to write and sketch a quick outline? Do the same thing, but for your story.

3. Talk out a scene.
When you don’t have to slowly write out everything, your characters’ dialogue picks up more energy. This exercise can really spark good lines (which you’ll want to write down before you forget your own brilliance). Recording optional.

4. Free-write responsibly.
Some people are strong fans of free writing, but I usually think it a waste of time. If you must free write, work on a scene from your character’s backstory, or describe an important setting in your novel – basically anything that you can use later, whether you quote or summarize. Why waste your time writing something no one will ever see?

5. Get your character in trouble.
It’s difficult to get into the writing spirit when you don’t feel like you’ll be interested in what you write. And if that happens, no way your readers will be interested. So add some conflict right off the bat – start a scene where your character is in trouble. Then get them out of it.

6. Think about writing. Only. I dare you.
You heard me. Sit on your butt, stare at your blank screen or paper, and focus on your story, darn it. But don’t write a single word. Don’t you dare touch that keyboard/pen! Are you listening to me? Don’t you – HA! Couldn’t stay away for long, could you?

7. Set small goals.
“Write novel.” Yes, that does sound daunting. Let’s try, “Write first chapter.” That does sound better, much less pressure. But what’s to stop us from setting our goal as “Write first scene” or “Find good hook” for our writing session? Nothing, that’s what. Small bites, my friends.

8. Desperate times.
None of these working for you yet? Try a NaNoWriMo trick: set a small chunk of time, maybe five to fifteen minutes, and write! Write like the devil’s chasing you with the Red Pen of Doom! TickTickTick and Done! Look how much you wrote. That’s your new record. Beat it.

9. Time travel.
A particular scene tripping you up? Move on to the next one. Or the one two chapters down the road. Write the moment you’re in, it’s much easier than trying to force one you haven’t arrived at yet.

10. In my notebook, WORDS delete YOU.
Here’s your failsafe: go to Write or Die, select Kamikaze mode, and start. Oh, I’m sorry, did you stop writing for a moment? Too bad, we words don’t want to hang around all day with a lazy author. We thought you were a WRITER, man!