How Should I Write My First Book?
Sitting down to write your first book can feel overwhelming. I remember staring at a blank page, wondering where to start, questioning if my idea was good enough, and fearing that I wouldn’t be able to finish. The thought of writing thousands of words seemed impossible, and doubt crept in before I even typed the first sentence.
But here’s what I’ve learned: writing your first book isn’t about perfection—it’s about commitment. You don’t have to know everything before you start. You just have to begin. The process of writing a book will teach you everything you need to know along the way. If you’re asking yourself, “How should I write my first book?”, you’re already on the right track. The fact that you’re thinking about it means you’re ready to take the first step. In this guide, I’ll walk you through a step-by-step approach to writing your first book, from idea to final draft, so that you can finally bring your story to life.
Find Your Story Idea
Every book starts with an idea, but that idea doesn’t have to be fully developed before you begin. Some authors start with a single sentence, a character, or even just a vague feeling they want to explore. The important thing is to find an idea that excites you enough to commit to it for months—or even years.
If you’re struggling to find an idea, start by looking at your personal interests. What topics, themes, or genres excite you the most? Often, the best book ideas come from things you’re already passionate about. Another great method is asking, “What if?”—for example, What if someone received a letter from their future self? What if a detective had to solve their own murder? Asking questions like these can spark creative ideas.
Think about the books, movies, and shows you love. What kind of stories resonate with you? What elements do they have in common? Sometimes, inspiration comes from analyzing the stories that have impacted you the most. Once you have an idea, try to summarize it in one sentence to give yourself a clear direction. You don’t need a perfect idea—you just need one that excites you enough to explore it further.
Choose Your Writing Approach – Plotter or Pantser?
Once you have your idea, the next step is figuring out how you want to write your book. Some writers prefer to outline their book before they start, while others dive in with no plan and let the story unfold naturally. If you like structure, consider being a plotter, meaning you plan your book in advance. This includes breaking your story into chapters, character arcs, and major plot points. Plotting can help prevent writer’s block and ensure that your story has a logical flow. On the other hand, some writers are pantsers, meaning they write without an outline and discover the story as they go. This approach allows for spontaneity but may require more revision later. If you’re not sure which approach is best for you, consider being a plantser, someone who combines both methods. You might start with a loose outline while still leaving room for creative freedom. A good compromise is to write down the beginning, middle, and end of your story while letting the details develop naturally as you write.
Develop Your Characters
A great story isn’t just about plot—it’s about characters readers can connect with. Your protagonist should have a clear goal, obstacles to overcome, and personal growth throughout the book. Start by asking yourself: What does my protagonist want more than anything? What stands in their way? Characters should have flaws, weaknesses, and emotional depth. A character without challenges is uninteresting, so give them conflicts that push them outside their comfort zone. A strong backstory also makes characters more believable. What past experiences shaped them? Why do they act the way they do? Understanding their motivations will help you write realistic characters. Additionally, ensure that your protagonist evolves by the end of the story. A compelling book follows a character’s transformation, whether it’s overcoming fear, finding love, or learning an important lesson.
Start Writing Your First Draft
Now comes the hardest—but most rewarding—part: actually writing the book. Many beginners get stuck here because they try to write perfect sentences right from the start. But the first draft isn’t about perfection—it’s about getting the story down. The best way to complete your first draft is to set a writing goal. Decide how many words you want to write per day or per week. Even if you only write 500 words a day, that adds up to 15,000 words in a month—a huge step toward finishing your book. It’s also important to turn off your inner critic. The first draft is about telling the story, not perfecting it. Avoid the temptation to edit as you go; instead, focus on completing the draft first. Another great technique is to use writing sprints—set a timer for 20-30 minutes and write as much as you can within that time. This helps you stay focused and prevents overthinking. Some days will be easier than others, but the key is to keep writing, even when it feels difficult.
Take a Break, Then Revise
Once you’ve finished your first draft, put it away for a while. Taking a break from your manuscript will help you see it with fresh eyes when you return to revise it. When you’re ready, read your manuscript as if you were a reader. Look for big-picture issues first, such as plot holes, character inconsistencies, and pacing problems. The first round of revisions should focus on improving the structure of your story. Once your story flows well, you can work on improving sentence clarity, dialogue, and description. It’s important to remember that revising is where your book truly takes shape. Even professional authors go through multiple drafts before their book is ready.
Get Feedback on Your Book
Before publishing, it’s important to get outside feedback. You might love your book, but fresh eyes will catch things you missed. Instead of going straight to an editor (which can be expensive), consider working with beta readers—people who read early drafts and provide honest opinions. Beta readers can point out confusing sections, weak dialogue, or pacing issues. You can find free beta readers in Facebook writing groups, Reddit’s r/writing community, and Goodreads beta reader groups. Another option is to exchange manuscripts with another writer and critique each other’s work. Feedback isn’t about criticism—it’s about making your book even better.
Edit and Finalize Your Manuscript:
After incorporating feedback, go through another round of revisions. This is where you fix any lingering issues and polish your manuscript. If you can’t afford a professional editor, use free editing tools like:
Grammarly (free version) for grammar and spelling.
ProWritingAid (free version) for style and readability improvements.
Hemingway Editor to simplify complex sentences.
Editing is a critical step that ensures your book is clear, engaging, and free of distracting errors.
Final Thoughts: Just Start Writing
Writing your first book isn’t about being perfect—it’s about starting and finishing. You don’t need experience. You don’t need a perfect plan. You just need the willingness to begin. One of the biggest mistakes new writers make is waiting for the perfect moment to start. They tell themselves, “I’ll write my book when I have more time.” Or “I’ll start when I’m a better writer.” But the truth is, there is no perfect moment to start writing your book. Life will always be busy, doubts will always creep in, and the fear of failure will never completely disappear. If you keep waiting for the "right time," you may never write your book at all.
The only way to become a writer is to write. Every successful author, from bestsellers to indie writers, once faced the same fears and uncertainties you’re facing now. The difference is, they didn’t let those fears stop them. They wrote anyway. They allowed themselves to be beginners, to write badly at first, and to improve with time. That’s how you grow as a writer.
It’s also important to remember that your first book doesn’t have to be a masterpiece. In fact, your first book probably won’t be your best work—and that’s okay. Writing is a skill that improves the more you do it. The goal of your first book isn’t to be perfect; the goal is to finish it. Because once you do, you’ll have gained experience, confidence, and the knowledge that you can do it again.
Another important lesson I’ve learned is that writing a book is not just about the finished product—it’s about the journey. The process of writing, discovering your characters, building your world, and overcoming creative challenges is what makes writing so fulfilling. There will be days when words flow effortlessly, and there will be days when writing feels like a struggle. But every page you write, every scene you craft, brings you closer to completing your book. And that’s something to be proud of.
If you ever feel stuck, remind yourself why you started. What made you want to write this book in the first place? Hold on to that reason. Whether it’s to tell a story that’s been in your heart for years, to inspire others, or simply to prove to yourself that you can do it—let that motivation push you forward.
Most importantly, don’t let self-doubt hold you back. Many aspiring writers quit because they think their writing isn’t good enough. But here’s the truth: every writer starts as a beginner. The only way to get better is to keep writing. Your book doesn’t need to be perfect—it just needs to exist.
So start today. Open a blank document and write the first sentence. Set small, achievable goals. Keep writing, even on the days you don’t feel inspired. One day, you’ll look back and realize that the book you once thought was impossible to write is now finished. You did it. And once you finish one book, you’ll know you can do it again. Because now, you’re not just someone who wants to write a book—you’re a writer.