How to Start That Novel Today

Audio By Carbonatix

I’m sure all my fellow writers would agree that one of the questions we get asked the most is, “How do you write a novel?”

Usually, that question comes from two places:

First, readers are genuinely curious about how a story filled with fresh, true-to-life characters actually makes the leap from an author’s mind to the page.

Second, they have an inkling to do it themselves. They feel a tug on their heart, a whisper from the Holy Spirit, that there is a story inside them waiting to be told.

The truth is that almost anyone can write a novel. But—and you probably guessed this was coming—it takes a lot of time, persistence, and skill. Much more than I ever imagined when I first started.

My Long Road to “The End”

I sat down to work on my very first novel back in 1994. I had a spark of a story, and those first three chapters flew off my fingers! I was so confident when I headed to the Mt. Hermon Christian Writers Conference, I was actually worried:

“What if more than one publisher wants my story at the same time?!”

I laugh at myself now, but I’m so glad I had that “must” inside me to get the words down. I was dipping my toes in a tide pool when the vast ocean of publication awaited. It ended up taking me almost ten years of learning, failing, and trying again before my first novel, From Dust and Ashes, was published in 2003.

If you feel that same calling today, here are three steps to move you from “dreaming” to “doing.”

1. Give Yourself Permission to Start

If you’re waiting for a sign or a special permission slip, here it is: Sit down and begin. Don’t worry if you don’t know the “rules” of fiction yet. The best thing you can do is get words onto paper. You’ll be surprised by how much you enjoy the process, and—just as importantly—you’ll realize exactly what you need to learn.

As it says in Habakkuk 2:2, "Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it." 

God gives the vision, but we have to be the ones to pick up the pen.

2. Invest in Your Craft

Once you’ve started, it’s time to become a student. Writing is a gift, but it’s also a skill that needs to be sharpened. A few books that have stood the test of time and helped me immensely are:

• The First Five Pages by Noah Lukeman
• Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King
• Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass

3. Find Your Community

Writing can feel lonely, but it wasn’t meant to be done in a vacuum. If you’re serious about this journey, I highly recommend attending a writers’ conference.

Why? Because you’ll meet professionals who are literally training their future competition. You’ll get critiques from people who won’t just tell you it’s perfect because they love you (thanks, Mom!). Most importantly, you’ll build a network of “iron sharpening iron” friendships. My writer friends have been my support for decades—praying for me, brainstorming with me, and cheering me on.

Writing a novel will take time, money, and effort. It requires a heart that is careful to follow the call even when the finish line feels miles away. But if you put in the investment, you just might be holding your own book in a few years. Today is the perfect day to start!

A Prayer for the Aspiring Writer

Dear Lord, I thank You for the stories You have woven into our hearts. I pray for my friend today who feels the call to write. Give them the courage to start and the persistence to keep going when the words feel slow. Grant them clarity of vision and connect them with the right community to sharpen their gift. May every word they write be a reflection of Your truth and bring glory to Your name. Amen.

Additional Resources

Explore Life Application Bibles to find the ultimate source of inspiration for your storytelling, and don’t forget to check out Kristen Jane Anderson’s incredible journey in Life, In Spite of Me. It’s a powerful example of how one life story can change the world!