10 Things I've Learnt from Writing A Novel..

Okay so since November I've embarked on writing my first full flung novel.. It's been an adventure! As I near what finally seems like completion, I mean properly this time, for a bit of fun I thought I'd share 10 things I've learnt along the journey.. so here they are.

#1. It's harder than it seems.
#2. The word count is increasingly important as the time wears on.
#3. If you can't get inside your character's head, then it's hard to make their story seem believable.
#4. If your characters aren't ready to sleep, then neither are you.
#5. Your characters are your friends, not your enemies, treat them with respect and they'll reward you.
#6. No matter how much you write, it never seems to be enough.
#7. At some point you will come to an impossible decision about which way your plot should go.
#8. Your hands are prone to ache at times due to sudden bouts of inspiration.
#9. If you're writing it out first, you will need many notebooks and a couple of pens. (They will run out.)
#10. You'll find some places easier to write than others, with me it was alone in the classroom or a spot in my now favourite coffee shop.

Note to any/all future/budding writers: If you're thinking about writing a novel or have ever had an inkling to do so but are always finding excuses, my advice? Do it! Simple as. I started writing mine with the premature thought I could attempt to write it in a month. Well, you can figure how that worked out, but that's beside the point. The point I'm trying to make is that it is in every way worth it! Most of my novel was written whilst I was still in full time education, I simply wrote in any spare time I got, mostly in the classroom and in coffee shops! Although I didn't make it in a month, it didn't detour me any, infact if anything it only spurred me on! I was, am, determined to see it to the end, and I will. Where it goes after that who know, if it's any good at all, I may consider trying for publication, who knows, but for now I'm still enjoying it regardless. I really do urge you to give it a go, it's also a great form of escape from your everyday stresses!

So go on, write a book..I dare you.

xx