5 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Starting Your Novel

Starting a novel is a scary thing. You’re excited about the idea but unsure it’ll hold up or if you’ve got it in you to write the damn thing. 

Here ar 5 questions to ask yourself to make sure you are ready to start this novel:

1. Who is my main character?

It’s totally chill to have multiple main characters. As long as you know who they are. Who is the person/people you are focussing on? What causes them grief, what makes them jump for joy, what is their biggest obstacle in life they’ve had to overcome. As long as you know who they are, you’re good to go.

2. Where is my book set?

Is it set in a small town in the Scottish Highlands? Is it in the metropolitan area of Tokyo? Is it a house? Where is the house? Are there parks nearby? Trains? Trucks? Is it a logging community? Know where your characters will be. Know their surroundings. This will help you understand what amenities are around to help or hinder your character. This will also help you understand what influences your character/characters.

3. When is your book set?

Modern day? 1800s? Do they rely on cellphones for communication? Are they full of anxiety? Do they appreciate the value of running water? Are letters prominent? Do they know what a phone book is used for? Understand the time your book is set to understand, again, what influences your characters. If they’ve never had to call a restaurant to order take-aways, this could pose a big obstacle for them when faced with it. This could mean calling their crush on the phone is out of the question.

4. What If…

This is the best question to ask yourself when writing anything. What If… Is the start of any good book idea. It’s also a great way to create twists and turns throughout your novel. It’s also a way to find plotholes. What if… They ate that banana they found in the gutter, how would that change the story?

5. How much time do I have to devote to this?

Writing my book could have taken 24hours a day every day if I let it. I gave myself one hour before work each morning. If I had an evening or weekend free, I would work on my book. The only time I forced myself to write, no matter what, was in the morning. Understanding the amount of time you have each day to solely focus on your writing will help you set realistic goals and expectations. Ruling out any unwanted guilt that may creep into your life.

Once you’ve been able to confidently answer each of these questions, you’ll be ready to sit down with your manuscript and work consistently to completion. 

Congratulations on the idea and happy writing!