So you want to be a novelist but have no idea where to start. The novel writing process can be daunting. Here’s a list of resources to help get you going. Pace yourself.

All creatives have their own voice, style, and process. If you haven’t found yours, don’t worry, you will.

Writing is a roller coaster ride of emotions. Some days you’ll feel like you’ve got it all figured out. Other days, you’ll feel like burning your manuscript and never writing again. Put down the matches. Stop being so hard on yourself. Writing takes time, persistence, and patience.

The most important thing to remember about writing a novel is to write. Writing doesn’t mean you need to grab your laptop and head for a coffee shop. Writing doesn’t mean waiting for inspiration. Writing doesn’t mean a quiet cabin overlooking a lake. These notions, while romantic notions are not realistic. There may not always be trendy coffee shops, quiet spaces, ambient settings, and your muse may take frequent vacations. Write anyway. That’s what writers do.

Best of luck!

1. I want to be a writer but have no idea where to start.

Self-Published Authors Helping Other Authors covers every topic on writing I can think of and then some. Author Ruth Ann Nordin also has a series of YouTube videos on the writing process.

2. Should I make an outline or pants it? My characters suck. I’m having issues with my plot. Writing a book is harder than I thought. Help!

How to Write a Book Now

100 Random Storytelling Thoughts and Tips, Starting Now

3. How Not To Write A Book and Writing Rules

7 Things That Will Doom Your Novel (& How to Avoid Them)

Stephen King’s Top 20 Rules For Writers

4. Time Management

Just Write the Damned Book Already

How To Push Past The Bullshit And Write That Goddamned Novel: A Very Simple No Fuckery Writing Plan To Get Shit Done

5. Help! I can’t think of any names for my characters!

Name that character. You could also try a phonebook or name generators.

6. I don’t think I’m cut out to be a writer. I think I’m ready to throw in the towel. 😦

The 50 Best Reasons To Stop Writing

7. Fantasy Writers 

Creating Fantasy Worlds

The Write Life

7 Deadly Sins of Worldbuilding

8. Mystery Writers

25 Things You Need To Know About Writing Mysteries, By Susan Spann

Clues and Red Herrings

The Writer’s Forensics Blog

Forensic Science Central

A Simplified Guide To Forensic Science

9. How do I write a sex scene?

Writing a sex scene is harder than it looks (no pun intended). Herself, Diana Gabaldon, author of the bestselling Outlander series, offers insight.

10. Editing Your Work

Grammarly

25 Steps To Edit The Unmerciful Suck Out Of Your Story

How to Karate Your Novel and Edit That Motherfucker Hard: A No-Foolin’ Fix-That-Shit Editing Plan To Finish The Goddamn Job

11. Copyright Your Work

U.S. Copyright Office

12. Pros and Cons of Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing

• Writer’s Circle
• How to Write a Book Now
• Writer’s Digest

I don’t want to self-publish. How do I find an agent?

Get out there! Go to writer’s conferences, they’re spendy but you’ll get to meet with editors and agents.

How To Find A (REAL!) Literary Agent

13. I want to self-publish. Where should I publish?

• Smashwords
• Amazon
• Createspace
• Lulu
• Lightning Source

How do I publish an ebook?

Smashwords has uploaded several tutorials to their Youtube channel that cover a variety of publishing topics. 

14. How do I format my novel for self-publishing?

Ebook formatting: Paul Salvette’s Smashwords Formatting Tutorial

Createspace formatting: Tutorial Walkthrough: Formatting Documents for CreateSpace

15. More Writer Resources

• Writers Write
• Writer’s Digest
• Writer Beware

16. Facebook Writer Pages

• Writer.ly
• Writer’s Digest
• The Writer’s Circle
• Writers Write
• Every Writer
• Freedom With Writing

17. One Last Thing

25 Things I Want To Say To So-Called “Aspiring” Writers