How to Start Writing a Book: A Practical Roadmap for First-Time Authors

You want to write a book, but every time you sit down, the blank page stares back and your confidence disappears. You wonder how to start writing a book without messing it up, or proving your inner critic right.

Here’s the truth: you don’t need a perfect plan; you just need a simple, realistic one. In this guide, we’ll walk through how to go from raw idea to outline, build a writing routine, finish your first draft, and choose between traditional publishing and self-publishing—so your story finally moves from your head onto the page.

Why Getting Started Feels So Hard (and Why It’s Normal)

If starting feels impossibly hard, nothing is wrong with you. It’s normal.

Most new writers wrestle with:

• Fear of not being “good enough.”

• Confusion about where to begin.

• Overwhelm from all the advice and “rules.”

• 
  

You might believe myths like:

• “Real writers always know the whole story before they start.”

• “Your first draft should already be amazing.”

• “If you don’t write every day, you’re not serious.”

  
  

These ideas are not facts. They’re pressure.

Your first book is allowed to be a learning project. You’re not just writing a manuscript—you’re learning how you write, how you focus, and what kind of stories you love to tell.

Once you accept that your first draft will be imperfect, getting started becomes much easier

Set a Clear Goal for Your First Book

Before you worry about chapters and word counts, decide what kind of book you’re actually writing. This shapes every decision that follows.

Ask yourself:

• Is this a novel (fiction)?

• A memoir about a specific period of your life?

• A self-help or how-to book sharing your expertise?

• A short story collection or poetry?

  
  

Then narrow it further with a simple goal sentence:

“I want to write a [genre] about [who/what] for [type of reader].”

For example:

• “I want to write a 12-chapter fantasy novel about a reluctant hero who must protect a city built on floating islands, for young adult readers who love fast-paced adventure.”

• 
  

This kind of sentence:

• Clarifies your reader,

• Hints at your plot or topic, and

• Gives you a rough sense of scope (not a 900-page epic… yet).

Write your goal sentence at the top of your notebook or document. Look at it whenever you lose focus.

How to Start Writing a Book for Beginners: From Idea to Outline

If you’re wondering how to start writing a book for beginners, the safest path is: idea → focus → title → simple outline.

1. Brainstorm and capture every idea

Set a timer for 10–15 minutes and list:

• Scenes or moments you keep imagining

• Themes you care about (friendship, grief, growth)

• Settings you find exciting (small towns, space stations, hospitals)

• Problems you want to solve for readers (time management, burnout, money)

• 
  

Nothing is too messy at this stage. Quantity over quality.

2. Choose one core idea

Look at your list and ask:

• Which idea won’t leave me alone?

• Which one I’d still care about in six months?

• 
  

Circle that one. That’s your core idea for this book. You can write the others later.

3. Create a simple working title

Your title doesn’t have to be final. It’s just a label that keeps you focused.

Examples:

• The Last Library on the Moon (novel)

• From Overwhelmed to Organized (non-fiction)

• The Year Everything Changed (memoir)

  
  

A working title gives your brain something solid to hold while you build the story or structure.

4. Build a basic outline

Outlining doesn’t need special software. You can start with a list of chapters or key beats.

For fiction or memoir, write:

1. Opening: what changes in your character’s life?

2. Middle: what obstacles or conflicts grow?

3. Climax: what big decision or event changes everything?

4. Ending: what’s different now?

5. 
   

For non-fiction, list:

1. Introduction: who you’re helping and why

2. 3–7 main problems your reader faces

3. A chapter for each solution or step

4. A final chapter summarizing the change

   
   

Your outline can be messy. It will evolve as you write. Its only job is to help you start and keep going. If you want more structure later, you can turn this into a basic outline with clearer beats and phases as you learn what works for you.

How to Write Your First Novel (If You’re Writing Fiction)

If your dream is to learn how to write your first novel, you’re not alone. Many new authors start with a big story in mind but feel unsure how to turn it into scenes.

Focus on three things: character, conflict, and scenes.

Develop Your Main Character and Conflict

Ask a few core questions about your main character:

• What do they want most?

• What do they fear losing?

• What’s their biggest flaw or blind spot?

• 
  

Then design a conflict that attacks those exact points.

Example:

• Character: Sara, a shy forensic accountant who secretly wants to be a musician.

• Conflict: She discovers her employer is laundering money and must decide whether to expose them, risking her safety and her family’s financial security.

• 
  

Now your story isn’t just “a crime plot.” It’s about Sara vs. her fear, which makes scenes much easier to write.

Draft Scene by Scene Instead of Chasing Perfection

Don’t try to write the whole novel at once. Instead, write one scene at a time:

1. Who is in the scene?

2. What do they want right now?

3. What goes wrong or changes by the end?

4. 
   

Micro-example (mystery opening):

• Scene goal: A rookie detective wants to make a good impression on her first day.

• Conflict: She arrives late to a chaotic crime scene, steps in evidence, and clashes with her new partner.

• Change: By the end, she realizes this case might be tied to her own past.

• 
  

Write that scene badly if you have to. You can fix clunky dialogue and pacing later. What you can’t fix is an empty page.

Drafting Routine: Turn Writing Into a Habit

Knowing how to start is useless if you never show up. A book is finished through tiny, repeated sessions, not sudden bursts of inspiration.

Set word or time goals

Pick whichever feels less stressful:

• Word count goals: 300–500 words per day or 1,500–2,000 per week.

• Time goals: 25–45 minutes per session, 3–5 times per week.

Keep it small enough that you can succeed even on busy days.

Create a simple weekly plan

For example:

• Monday, Wednesday, Friday – 30 minutes before work

• Saturday – 1 longer 60–90 minute session

• 
  

Block it on your calendar like an appointment. Protect it.

Handle writer’s block gently

When you’re stuck:

• Switch to a different scene instead of forcing one.

• Free-write for 10 minutes about why your character is upset.

• Re-read only the last page, not the whole draft.

• 
  

Often, “block” is just fear showing up. Lower the stakes. Tell yourself: I’m just going to write one messy page.

How to Write a Book and Get It Published: Your Options

Learning how to write a book and get it published means understanding the basic paths available. At a high level, you can choose:

• Traditional publishing

• Self-publishing (indie publishing)

• Hybrid or assisted publishing

• 
  

Traditional publishing

In traditional publishing, a publishing house invests in your book. They usually:

• Buy certain rights to your manuscript

• Provide editing, cover design, and distribution

• Pay you royalties (and sometimes an advance) on sales

  
  

Pros:

• Professional production and industry expertise

• Better access to bookstores and certain media

• No upfront production costs for you

Challenges:

• Highly competitive; many publishers require a literary agent

• Longer timelines

• Less creative and pricing control

Self-publishing

Self-publishing means you act as the publisher. You keep full rights and a higher share of profits, but you also handle or outsource editing, design, and marketing yourself.

Pros:

• Full creative control

• Faster time to market

• Higher royalty rates per book on many platforms

Challenges:

• You pay for editing, design, and promotion

• You must learn the basics of publishing business and marketing

Hybrid or assisted publishing

Hybrid models combine elements of both: you may share costs with a company in exchange for services and support. Always research these carefully, check contracts, and look for transparent fees and realistic promises.

There is no single “right” path. Choose the option that fits your budget, timeline, and long-term goals.

For a deeper breakdown of these publishing paths, you can read Jane Friedman’s publishing guides, which explain traditional and self-publishing, advances, and royalties in detail.

Best Publishing Companies for First-Time Authors (Traditional Route)

When people search for the best publishing companies for first-time authors, they’re usually thinking about the big, well-known houses—but those are only part of the picture.

In traditional publishing, you’ll hear terms like:

• “Big Five” publishers – a handful of large, global companies that publish many bestsellers.

• Mid-size or small presses – independent publishers with more focused lists.

• Micro-presses – very small publishers, often niche or experimental.

As a beginner, instead of chasing one “best” company, look for:

• Genre fit – Do they actually publish the kind of book you’re writing?

• Track record – Do their authors seem reasonably happy? Are their books professionally produced?

• Clear submissions process – Do they explain what they want and how to query them?

• Transparent contracts – You understand rights, royalties, and length of agreement.

Many large traditional publishers accept submissions only through literary agents. That means your first step may be researching and querying agents who represent your genre. Organisations and databases dedicated to agents and publishers can help you identify reputable options and avoid scams.

How to Self-Publish a Book Step-by-Step

If you want maximum control or can’t access traditional routes, learning how to self-publish a book step-by-step is a powerful option.

Here’s a simple roadmap:

1. Finish and revise your manuscript

   
   

   • Get to “the end” first. Then revise at least once for structure, once for style.

   • Consider a trusted beta reader or critique partner for feedback.

     
     

2. Hire or find an editor

   
   

   • A professional editor can catch plot holes, pacing issues, and language errors.

   • If your budget is tight, at least invest in basic copyediting or proofreading.

     
     

3. Format for print and ebook

   
   

   • Formatting affects readability. You can learn to do it yourself or use professional services or software.

   • Ensure consistent fonts, spacing, headings, and chapter breaks.

     
     

4. Design or commission a cover

   
   

   • Your cover should be clear at thumbnail size and signal your genre.

   • DIY is possible, but if you can, hire a designer who understands book markets.

     
     

5. Choose your platforms

   
   

   • Common choices include large online retailers and distribution services that can make your book available to bookstores and libraries.

   • You can publish exclusively on one platform or wide (multiple retailers).

     
     

6. Upload, price, and publish

   
   

   • Follow the platform’s upload steps: add your book files, cover, description, keywords, and categories.

   • Research pricing in your genre to choose a competitive price point.

     
     

7. Plan basic marketing

   
   

   • Build an email list, even if small.

   • Share your journey on social media or a simple author website.

   • Offer early review copies (ARCs) to interested readers or reviewers.

     
     

You don’t need to master everything at once. Tackle this list one step at a time. You can explore the articles on Reedsy self-publishing resources.

Conclusion: Your First Draft Is the Beginning, Not the End

Learning how to start writing a book is less about talent and more about small, consistent actions. Your first draft will not look like the polished books on your shelf—and it’s not supposed to. Those went through multiple rounds of editing, design, and careful packaging.

What matters today is that you choose one idea, sketch a simple outline, and commit to a realistic routine. Every awkward sentence you write is proof that you’re doing the real work most people only talk about.

The world doesn’t need a perfect version of your book someday. It needs the honest, imperfect version you’re willing to start now.

Key Takeaways

• Clarify your book type and goal before you worry about perfect sentences.

• Move from idea to outline with a simple list of chapters or key story beats.

• If you’re writing fiction, focus on character, conflict, and scenes, not fancy prose.

• Build a sustainable writing habit with small, regular sessions and gentle expectations.

• Explore traditional, self-publishing, or hybrid routes and choose the one that fits your goals and resources.

Next, read our article on step-by-step guide to outlining your first book to turn your idea into a clear, confidence-boosting plan for your manuscript.