5 Tips New Writers Need to Hear Before Starting Their Book
Every writer starts with the same mix of excitement and fear. You’ve got the spark of an idea, maybe even a character or two whispering in your head, but the process of turning that into a full book can feel overwhelming. The good news? Every author has been exactly where you are right now. Here are five tips to help you move from staring at the blank page to actually finishing your manuscript.
- Stop waiting for the perfect idea
The “perfect” idea doesn’t exist. What matters is choosing an idea that excites you enough to spend months, maybe years, living with it. Don’t get stuck searching for flawless. Pick a story you can’t stop thinking about and start. You’ll be surprised how much grows from just showing up.
Mini-exercise: Take 10 minutes and jot down three story ideas you’ve been carrying around. Don’t rank them, don’t overthink them. Just write them down. Then pick the one you’d be most excited to talk about if a friend asked, “So what’s your book about?” That’s your starting point.
- Focus on consistency, not word count
You don’t need to churn out 3,000 words a day. What matters more is writing consistently. Even 200 words a day adds up to a full-length novel in a year. Build a habit that works for your life instead of comparing yourself to others. Progress in small doses is still progress.
Real-life example: John Grisham wrote his first novel, A Time to Kill, by waking up an hour early every day before work and writing one page. That slow, steady discipline turned into a career. You don’t need a perfect writing schedule, just one you can stick to.
- Embrace the ugly first draft
Your first draft will not be pretty — and it shouldn’t be. Think of it as raw material. It’s supposed to be messy, full of holes, and maybe even embarrassing at times. The magic happens in revision. Give yourself permission to write badly now so you can write better later.
Mini-exercise: Before you start your next writing session, tell yourself out loud, “This draft is for me, not for readers.” Then write one messy page on purpose. Notice how freeing it feels to just get words down without worrying about polish.
- Read like a writer
Pick up books in your genre and pay attention to how they’re built. Notice the pacing of chapters, the way dialogue flows, how the writer pulls you through scenes. Reading widely sharpens your instincts and helps you see techniques you can borrow and make your own.
Practical tip: Keep a “writer’s reading journal.” Each time you read a chapter, ask yourself:
What made me keep turning the page?
What did the author do with dialogue or description that worked?
Did I ever get bored? Why?
This habit trains you to see books not just as a reader but as a craftsman learning the trade.
- Find your community
Writing can feel lonely, but it doesn’t have to be. Join a writing group, take part in online forums, or connect with other authors on social media. Sharing the highs and lows with people who get it will help you keep going when your motivation dips.
Real-life tip: Many bestselling authors credit critique groups or beta readers with helping them stay accountable. You don’t need to hand your draft to the whole world, but letting even one trusted person know what you’re working on can keep you motivated.
The Takeaway
You don’t need to have it all figured out before you begin. You just need to start, keep showing up, and let your draft take shape. Writing a book is less about brilliance in the moment and more about perseverance over time. Every page you write brings you closer to the story only you can tell.
If you’re a new writer, remember this: it doesn’t matter if your sentences sparkle right now. What matters is that your story makes it to the page. Write boldly, write badly, write joyfully — but write.
