Why You Must Write That Novel

You might have an idea for a novel. Maybe it’s something you’ve wanted to write for years or even decades. Or maybe you get a lot of new ideas every day, but always have to let them go and focus on the more pressing and urgent matters in life.

In either case, the creative impulse is coming from somewhere, and landing in your consciousness. What you do with that impulse after it gets there, is up to you.

The Impulse to Create

Most people will at least attempt to honor this message they are receiving from the Universe. There is an intuitive pull to look deeper and to explore such urges. This undefined allure is something that is barely discernible, but can be definitely felt . Maybe it's the promise of deep fulfillment, happiness, and accomplishment. The feeling of having done something, perhaps even the something that you were meant to do on this planet. At the very least, a deep sense of satisfaction and self-pride.

So what happens? Why is it that most of these great ideas for stories aren’t transformed into creative works? What sabotage happens along the way from idea to finished product that results in the graveyard of unfulfilled literary dreams?

The Reality Of Work

There is a vast ocean between having an idea, a fleeting thought, and actually grinding it out day in and day out to turn that idea into reality. This is true for anything in life — your ideal relationship or career, a business, being the top athlete, etc.

For the completely uninitiated to these realities of life, or those who might think that writing is somehow different ("I just have to write, it's not like I have to go out and run an entire business or raise a million dollars."), this is a harsh wake-up call. The first few chapters of any novel are usually done with great excitement and enthusiasm. But by the time one reaches the middle, it has often turned into a weary slog. It is often at this point where delays start to creep in. One day of writing missed turns into three, which turn into a week, which turns into 6 months. And five years later, you're sitting at a dinner conversation with friends wondering why you never really finished that novel.

There are tangible reasons for this, of course. The experienced writer will warn you before you begin, and will be careful to have antidotes to the common problems that will inevitably crop up.

The novice is caught unprepared, like the fly in the spider's web. And, unfortunately, for most novice writers, this is where their foray into authorship ends.

But it need not be this way.

Antidotes

Many times, when we try something new and we don't obtain the result that we want, we ascribe the failure to some deficiency or lack on our part.

"I didn't try hard enough."

"I'm just not talented enough."

"I don't have the necessary education."

"I'm not cut out for this."

"I'm not really a writer."

"My story is probably no good anyway."

But here's the truth and the irony of this. It's not that you didn't try hard enough, or that you're not good enough. You just didn't have the right strategy. And you probably had expectations in your mind that were not aligned with the reality of writing a first-time novel.

Consider this: if seasoned authors struggle with the same challenges, then how much worse will it be for a novice author?

So what is the solution? What antidote can be applied to smooth your way through the rough patches that you (now) know will come?

The first is to have a plan. If you plan to drive from New York to Los Angeles, you won't just jump in your car and go. Well, you might. And you might make it too. But we're talking about significantly increasing the odds of your success. And so, we won't look to the outliers here. Instead, we'll focus on an approach that is battle tested and tried-and-true.

Before putting pen to paper, take some time to think about your writing project. In Hollywood, each movie is treated as it's own business. Think about your books in the same way. You don't need to go to extremes (each book doesn't need it's own business plan), but you should have some sort of plan about the book and it's place in your overall strategy.

Some things might be obvious , like the genre or title. Others might require more (or less) thought. Is it a part of a series? What is your timeline? Do you know what you need for logistics and the business side (if you are publishing as an Indie)? How will you structure your writing sprints? Will you even have writing sprints? What is your target daily word count? Do you have a backup solution implemented (accidents happen)? What will do you if you fall behind (life happens)? What happens if you get stuck or lose interest?

A Category For Everything

Compartmentalizing the various aspects of writing your book can help to keep things organized and under control.

Think of the various aspects of your author journey. Here is one way compartmentalize them:

1. There is the actual writing itself, this is all about your craft.

2. Then there is the organizational aspect, stuff like when you write, how much you write, where to publish, etc.

3. There is the business aspect, things like marketing and beta readers, reviews, book publicity, advertisements, etc.

4. And finally, the tools and technology. Are you a fan of Scrivener? Do you use Vellum? What are the tools and technology available today that enable you (the writer) to deliver your message to the world, and how can you best leverage them?

The World Needs Your Creativity

All of the above can be seen as techniques to remove roadblocks from your way. To clear the path so that you have clear sailing to do what you really want to do — tell your story.

And that is the crux of the matter. If it weren't for those roadblocks, more people would follow that subtle message from the Universe and tell their stories. They would be enabled to do so, without stumbling or hitting a brick wall. They would be able to create at the speed of thought.

Each and every one of us has a valuable story to tell. That novel or short story you have been mulling over and thinking about for years now? There is someone, somewhere in the world that needs to hear your message and read your story. We are all connected and interconnected, and it is by no accident that you have it in your mind to tell that particular story. It is vital that you do.

When you have learned how to navigate the terrain and handle the challenges that come with writing, you have an added benefit. You will grow as a writer and a person. Self-discipline, confidence, self-awareness, and personal development all go hand-in-hand with creative expression.

But don't believe for one second that you're not "author material". You absolutely can write that story. And, for the sake of the world, you must.

You will gain that deep contentment in having created something unique that only you can create. By it’s very nature, you are the only person in existence who is able to write that particular story. So the world needs you, and your creativity.

As Wayne Dyer famously quoted Carlos Castaneda:

So do the work, and you will reap the rewards.

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