Navigating the First Draft of a Novel: A Guide Without Overthinking

Writing a novel is a journey fraught with challenges and rewards. Many writers struggle with how to begin, often paralyzing themselves with the need for a perfect plan. However, as we've all heard, the first rule of writing is to write. But how can you write the first draft of a novel without overwhelming yourself with preconceived ideas? Let's dive into the process and find out.

Start Writing, Not Planning

Imagine embarking on a marathon or even a 5K run. You wouldn't start by sketching out your running shoes, plotting the course, and researching the terrain weeks in advance. Instead, you would lace up your shoes, step outside, and begin. Writing is no different. When you're ready to write, just sit down and begin. The act of writing will take you wherever it needs to go. While some great writers might start by brainstorming or planning, for many, the act of putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) is what sparks their creativity.

Creative Freedom in Writing

Conceiving ideas before starting a project is crucial for many, but there are no firm rules in writing. Embrace your unique style and process. Some writers might start with a detailed outline, while others might dive in without much preparation at all. What matters most is that you start and continue to write.

The Process of Story Conception

Defining a character deeply and placing them in a situation with stakes and risks is a common method for story conception. However, there are varied approaches. For instance, some writers might start with a character, a scene, or a specific idea and let the narrative evolve organically. My process often involves:

Character Development: I delve into the character's background, motivations, and personality traits. Understanding the character deeply is the foundation of a compelling story. Setting and Risk: I place the character in a situation that has significant stakes and risks, both for the character and the story. This adds tension and drives the narrative forward. Free Writing: Once the character is in a situation, I let them dictate the story. I sit back and observe their actions, reactions, and decisions as they navigate the situation.

Creating Without a Blueprint

How can you write a novel without any preconceived ideas? In reality, conscious or subconscious ideas are often part of the writing process, even if you don't initially plan them all out. The act of writing itself is a form of idea generation. What is important is to trust the process and let the story unfold naturally.

Starting a Novel from Scratch

Starting a novel requires a clear sense of what you want to write about. It's as simple as that. You can begin with a character, a scene, a conflict, or simply an idea. Write about it as honestly and deeply as possible.

“To write a novel you begin with what you can see and then you add what came before and what came after.”
—Thomas Harris

The process of writing a novel can be likened to piecing together a puzzle. You start with the pieces that are clear and visible. As you progress, you uncover more pieces of the story, both past and future events that connect the dots. This wasn't the case for one of my projects, inspired by Van Gogh's Olive Trees series. I imagined a lone man in a dark museum, contemplating the painting during the aftermath of an apocalypse. I then pondered why he would do this and what might happen next. This reflection led to the creation of an 80,000-word novel. The process of writing is often about reflecting on what you see and then imagining the rest.

Challenging Yourself to Write

Like any complex task, writing a novel involves a lot of thought. However, the challenging part is not the ideas that come to you. It is the effort required to turn those ideas into a cohesive and compelling narrative. The jumping-off point is often the most accessible, yet it's the act of writing that shapes the story into something more than the sum of its parts.

Final Thoughts

Writing a novel is a creative journey. There is no one "right" way to do it. Whether you spend months or years developing your ideas or just jump in with both feet, the key is to trust the process and keep writing. The first draft might not be perfect, but it's a start. From there, you can refine and build. Remember, the goal is to instigate the flow and keep the narrative moving. And as Thomas Harris beautifully put it, you begin with what you can see and then you add what came before and what came after.