Choose Your Deadline and Writing Goal.

When there’s no deadline or goal to finish, it can be very hard to complete your project. This is why this is the #1 rule on the list: Set a measurable deadline and writing goal. Most novels are between 50,000 and 100,000 words. Because it’s easier to add words than cut them out, it’s often better to set your word count goal lower than 75,000 words for your first draft. To determine the best writing goals and deadline for you, think about how many words you can write in a day. I can generally easily write between 2,500 and 4,000 words a day, so setting a goal of 75,000 words in 30 days is reasonable for me. A deadline will push you to your limits and write even when you’re not motivated to write. – ThinkWritten

Prepare before you write.

While some writers just sit down at the keyboard to write with no plan or idea, it can be difficult to keep a story going or you may hit writer’s block. By preparing a basic synopsis, mind map, or outline for your ideas, you’ll have something to reference to anytime you come across a roadblock while writing. There’s many different ways to prepare for writing a novel. Write a 1-2 page synopsis of the novel; Create an outline for your novel; Use Evernote to Organize and Plan Your Novel; Create a Mind Map with ideas for your novel; How to Avoid Over Planning Your Novel; A little prep work can go a long way in helping you stay focused and on task while writing. Having all your research and ideas in one place can also be very beneficial for keeping thoughts and ideas organized. – ThinkWritten

Schedule time to write – and actually write.

There will never be a perfect time to write. Waiting for when you have more time is a surefire way to never start writing your book. Finding motivation to write may not be easy, but sometimes scheduling time is just as hard! Schedule a time during the day when you can write with minimal distractions and sit down. Try to disconnect from the internet if you can and force yourself to write. Do it one word at a time. Making time for writing will help you complete your novel. –  ThinkWritten

Write first, edit later.

One of the biggest mistakes new writers make is to edit while writing. Don’t worry about making your first draft perfect – this can be done in the revision stage AFTER the first draft is complete. Try to avoid reading what you just wrote and just keep moving forward. You can always edit sentences and cut out scenes or add scenes later. – ThinkWritten

Write the story you’d most want to read.

Don’t write a story just because you think it might be a bestseller or that it would make Great Aunt Edna proud. Think about the books you love, the ones you really lose yourself in. If those are mysteries, then don’t try to write an historical romance or a quiet literary novel. It might not be anything genre-specific that you love, but a certain voice, or type of story, or kinds of characters. Write what you love. Do me a favor — right now, today, start a list of all your crazy obsessions, the things that get your heart pumping, that wake you up in the middle of the night. Put it above your desk and use it to guide you, to jumpstart your writing each and every day. – Writer’s Digest

Give that character a compelling problem.

Your character has to have something that’s going to challenge her, torment her and propel her forward. At the heart of every story is conflict – whether external or internal, make it a good one, and remember that this problem is going to shape your character, leaving her forever changed.” – Writer’s Digest

Choose a filing system.

Finding the right program(s) for creating and saving your work is important. Some popular digital options include Scrivener, Evernote, Microsoft OneNote, Google Drive, and Dropbox. I prefer to use one program (Evernote) for my outline and notes, and another (Google Drive) to write and save my pages. This makes it easier to tab between windows when I need to reference something. Even if you’re writing your book by hand, I would recommend taking the time to type and save your work using one of the above programs. If you ever lose your physical copy this ensures that you have a backup. You will also need a digital version of your novel if you plan to publish it, so you might as well type as you go. Whether you choose hand-written or digital, make sure that your notes and chapters are easy to access and find. Once again, it’s all about creating the path of least resistance and not giving yourself an excuse to get distracted or discouraged.” – The Writing Cooperative

Create a Marketing Strategy.

If you’re planning to publish your book, especially if you’re going the self-publishing route, you need a marketing strategy. Marketing is the key if you want others to be able to find, read, and share your work. It’s also crucial for anyone who would like writing to become their primary source of income. There are lots of great resources out there for creating a killer marketing strategy and editorial calendar. To get started, I would recommend checking out the HubSpot blog and the Authority Self-Publishing Podcast. I will be detailing my own book marketing strategy in a future post. – The Writing Cooperative

Read books in your genre.

If you want your novel to be attractive to prospective readers, you need to first understand how to think like a reader. And the way to do that is to — let’s all say it together — READ! There are many reasons why time spent reading is worthwhile for an aspiring author: You will have an understanding of what’s already been done-to-death, and can focus on creating something new. On the other hand, you will also understand what has proven popular in a given genre, and will know what kind of expectations readers have. It’s fun. If you don’t like reading books, why would you want to write them?” – Reedsy Blog