Journey of Writing My First Novel

Writing my first novel was a journey full of challenges and rewards. When I first decided to write a novel, I didn't expect to face so many obstacles—from finding the right narrative voice, building a coherent plot, to maintaining character consistency throughout the story.

From Idea to Outline

It all started with a simple idea that came to me in the middle of the night. The idea kept growing in my head, and I knew I had to write it down before it disappeared. I started by creating a rough outline—who the characters were, what the main conflict was, and how the story would end.

This outlining process took weeks. I tried various structures, changed the plot multiple times, and even replaced the main character midway. But all this effort was invaluable because it provided a solid foundation for writing.

Writing the First Draft

The first draft was the hardest phase. I had to fight perfectionism and let the words flow without too much editing. There were days when I could write thousands of words, and days when I just stared at a blank screen.

What I learned: the first draft doesn't have to be perfect. The goal is to complete the story from beginning to end. Editing can be done later.

Revision and Editing

After completing the first draft, I let it "rest" for a few weeks before starting to revise. When I read it again with fresh eyes, I found many things that needed fixing—plot holes, inconsistent characters, stiff dialogue.

The revision process took longer than writing the first draft. I did at least five major revision rounds before feeling the novel was ready for others to read.

Lessons Learned

Writing my first novel taught me many things: - Consistency is more important than inspiration - A good outline saves a lot of time - Feedback from beta readers is invaluable - Every writer has a different process—find what works for you

This journey was far from easy, but seeing my first novel completed is one of the greatest achievements of my life. If you're writing your first novel, keep writing. Every word you write brings you closer to the finish line.