I would like to become a novelist because I have a strong aptitude for writing. What is the best way to begin writing your first novel?
I’m working on the assumption that you have an idea for a story. The first thing you want to do plan and research. Even if you have an idea, research all the information that will be relevant to it, to make sure you will be accurate. I would also recommend getting ‘technical advice’ from experts. A good way to do this would be to get involved in a club or group who specialise in subjects relevant to your genre – Sci Fi groups, medieval re-enactment groups, military history groups or military enthusiasts etc. It will definitely help with adding authenticity and realism to the story. Design all of your characters as completely as possible before you start. This is important because the fluency and believability of the story often revolve around them. Obviously you may develop them beyond your initial outline as you write, but avoid starting with just a name… It is beneficial to plan out your storyline beforehand – in detail if possible, but it is also okay to plan out the major points
