(So You Don’t Have to Learn the Hard Way)
Are there things I wish I knew before I wrote my first book? Where to start. Let’s just say it involves characters that were written in and later written out, plotlines that took hours only to vanish entirely, and filling cups of black coffee with tears. If you’ve ever secretly wondered whether writing a book might just be a weird form of voluntary masochism, newsflash: it is.
If you’re here because you want some tips on how to write a book, here are some rookie writing mistakes, some hard-won truths, storytelling lessons. This is advice that would’ve saved me years of “why did I think I could do this?” moments. Whether you’re trying to start writing a book or hoping to finish your first draft without losing your mind, this is for you.
Why Writing Your First Book Isn’t as Glamorous as It Looks
If you want to write a book and you’re of the mind I was, you might think writing a book is glamorous. You know: a quiet desk, a nearby pot of hot coffee, the occasional “aha!” moment, and the gentle hum of creativity in the background.
Yeah, no such luck.
For me, writing turned out to be more like wrestling a greased octopus. Using only my feet. While blindfolded. Characters disappeared into the plot without warning, scenes refused to cooperate, and some of my best ideas arrived at 2AM fully formed, only to evaporate by morning.
Still, there’s a strange magic to learning to write a novel. Even when the words stumble and the story goes sideways, writing a book teaches you things you can’t learn anywhere else. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to go from blank page to “maybe-I’ll-survive-this-draft,” here are eight things I wish I’d known before writing my first novel. Consider it a guide, a warning, and a little bit of therapy, all rolled into one.
Lesson 1: Why Characters Matter More Than Plot
When I started Half Made Up, I thought I had it all figured out. I was a plot guy. Give me twists, turns, cliffhangers, and I was happy. Characters? Meh. They’d sort themselves out. I was about as prepared as an armless mime auditioning for King Lear.
Here’s some first novel truth: plot is shiny. Plot is fun. But plot without characters is like a rollercoaster with no riders. You can have all the loops and twists you like, but no one cares. Make your characters flawed, hopeful, and occasionally ridiculous. Let them do things that reveal secrets, quirks, and inner chaos. Make them worth following. If readers care about the people, they’ll follow them through dragon caves, haunted houses, or tax audits.
Lesson 2: Treat Writing Like a Job (Even if You’re Not Stephen King)
Stephen King says to treat writing like a job. And I think he’s right. You need a writing schedule. Write consistently. Build it into your routine. Treat your novel like a daily habit, one that’s essential, like a psychopath practicing his smile. Show up. Write. I read somewhere Stephen King aims for 2,500 clean words a day.
Forget that. Even 500 words counts. Writing isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about showing up. Consistency beats inspiration, every time.
Lesson 3: Not All Writing Is Actually Writing
Here’s a rookie writing mistake I fell into: I thought “writing” was just sitting down and letting the words flow. Wrong. Writing is a lot more than simply typing. Writing a book includes research, drafting, revising, editing carefully, fixing plot holes, and yes, weeping quietly into your notebook while wondering if you’ll ever finish something half decent. Writing is problem-solving disguised as inspiration. Every hour spent staring at a plot hole counts as writing. It’s just quieter and sadder.
Lesson 4: Multiple Drafts Are Normal
I dashed off Half Made Up in three months. Thrilling, right? Sure, until I realized I had to re-draft it. And then again. And again. Five more times. Entire characters were disappeared. Subplots were written out. Scenes were abandoned like lost luggage. If I’d spent more time planning, plotting, and outlining upfront, I might have avoided some dead ends. But some of the best discoveries come mid-chaos. Just expect a long haul and bring snacks.
Lesson 5: Plotting Is Constant Revision
You don’t have to perfect everything in the first draft.
Plotting is never done. Ideas pop up mid-draft: a better line of dialogue, a more elegant way to introduce a character, a twist you didn’t see coming. I tried stopping to fix things immediately. It was inefficient. Instead, I started keeping a notebook of corrections, things I’d fix once I’d finished whatever chunk of the draft I was working on. Momentum first, polish later. The story can always be edited. My advice? Just keep moving.
Lesson 6: You Don’t Have to Write Linearly
Don’t force yourself to struggle through a passage if inspiration is elsewhere. Some days, Chapter 7 is calling your name; other days, Chapter 2 is screaming: “Get back here and fix this!”
Don’t force linearity. Skip ahead. Or back. Write what feels right. Your story isn’t a straight line; it’s spaghetti, and you’re allowed to untangle any part of it at any time.
Lesson 7: Pacing Matters. Fast Scenes Fast, Slow Scenes Slow
From Lee Child I learned that speed and energy matter. Action scenes need zip. He says get the fast parts down fast. Slow, emotional scenes should be written slow, careful, and tension filled.
Readers feel pacing subconsciously. Balance is everything. Labor over the slow parts when necessary, but let the excitement of the fast parts pull readers along. Otherwise, your novel will feel like a boulder rolling uphill, but without the thrill.
Lesson 8: Your First Book Is a Writing Tutorial
I thought writing my first book meant I had made it. Ha! No. The first book teaches you. A lot. By the second, I was wiser. I applied lessons learned, approached the craft deliberately, and tightened my style.
Learning to write is mostly about logging hours. There are no shortcuts. The first book is your classroom, your training montage, and your first scar. Treat it as such.
The Messy, Rewarding Truth About Writing a Novel
So what did I learn before and during writing my first book? Characters matter more than plot because readers follow people, not chaos. Treat writing like a job and show up consistently. Not all writing is writing; a lot of it is problem-solving, editing, and yes, crying into coffee. It takes time, and multiple drafts are unavoidable. Plotting is constant revision, so keep a notebook of improvements handy. You don’t have to write linearly; skip ahead if inspiration calls. Pacing matters. Remember fast parts fast, slow parts slow.
Finally, I would say this: practicing the craft works. Use your first book as a classroom.
At the end of the day, the first book isn’t about perfection. It’s about survival. If you make it to the last page without spontaneously combusting, congratulations. You’re officially a writer. And if anyone asks, yes, it was always supposed to be exactly as chaotic as it is.
This essay is one of a collection of pieces documenting the bedlam involved in writing and self-publishing my ongoing genre fiction series: The Misjudgements of Andy MacKay, available on Amazon.