Thread: When should you start your first novel?

I've always thought that I'd wait for later in life (when I'm done with school, etc.) before I even attempt to start the novel I have in mind. I assume I'm not good enough to start now. However, a friend of mine of the same age wrote an entire YA novel already and is working on her next. She submitted the novel for a competition and did pretty well. It's inspired me to think about working on my own ideas, but is it worth it? Will it be, at the very least, really good practice? Would I have the will to completely rewrite it if I feel my skill level hadn't been up to par?

When did you all start writing your first novel, or when do you plan to?

You'll never get better if you don't practice. Start now and see where it takes you.

That's a very good question and one I've thought about to great length. A large part of me was afraid to start a novel-lengthed project at too young an age because frankly, I didn't think I would be good enough yet. Good is too vague a word, though. Didn't think I'd have read enough books, wrote enough, and been mature enough is more accurate. Didn't think I'd have had enough worldly experiences to, myself, paint a believable world with characters that behaved like real people. But I don't think you need to be, say, older than thirty. I think you'll know when you're ready.

As for my own experiences, I did lots of short stories before I moved up to a novel-lengthed project, and to date have only written one novel which I'm presently trying to get published. (I'm 22) It depends on your style, too, because my project took extensive planning and development whereas a more spontaneous kind of story is probably easier to pound off. I literally had mine in beta planning stages for going on two years before I started the first chapter.

And practice is always necessary for anything. Learn by doing is what I believe.

Ilasir Maroa, I keep telling myself that, especially because I'm really excited about my ideas, but I still can't help but have my doubts. But I know, you're right -- practicing is the only way I'll get any better, and maybe because I'm enthusiastic about this, I'll stick to it and write more than I ever have before.

But caelum, I share many of the same concerns, namely that I haven't experienced enough in my life yet. Probably my best example is that I've never been in love. Because of this, I feel like I can't put it in a novel yet because I won't be able to accurately portray what it's like. My writing experience has been on and off since I was young (I'm 21 now), so I'm scared to take such a leap, but really, really anxious to.

It's something to think about. :/

Hey Mandax,

I really don’t think there’s a right or wrong thing to do here. It can’t hurt to write a novel; you can only learn by doing.

I was about fourteen when I gave one a whirl – I don’t have it now but I imagine I’d smile and laugh at my young efforts. I then tried again when I was twenty-eight and it’s not bad, with much room for improvement. My latest two – one two years ago, one this year – were further lessons, and the latter the one I’m happy with.

I’d say that perfecting the short story form is the best way to work up to such a challenge. In the last three to four years this has been my passion, and only after minor publication success with a few pieces did I embark on the great beast that is the novel again. And even then it was tough, involved six months of writing every day.

Sharpen your metaphysical pencil, Mandax, and set off on the journey.

I started my first novel when I was seventeen. It wasn't great, but it was very conducive towards making me a better writer. I just kept writing them thereafter.

The novel is something that a lot of people seem to dread, but I love writing them. And, yes, like Louise said: It's months and months of continuous writing. It's a big challenge, but you're never "ready" to write a novel until you start writing it.

Or, conversely, how do you you're not ready to write it?

I plan to start my first novel at the age of 95. I'll have an excuse for not finishing it, because I've long figured that I'll die at that age, shot by a jealous husband.

Before your second novel.

Seriously, there isn't a "right time" to do it. One thing to keep in mind is that many writers (I won't say all, or even most, because it doesn't apply to everyone) will go through the process and write one or more novels before finishing anything worthy of submitting. The only way you're ever going to get to that point is to write, so there's no reason not to start right away.

Start. Why the heck not?

Originally Posted by Eluixa

Start. Why the heck not?

Yup, I agree. I don't think age, situation, location, anything really matters. Just get started.

The time to start your first novel is when you feel your skin is thick enough to withstand the procession of depressing rejections that will march in once you start submitting it.

I wrote my first one at 12. But in those days, I knew nothing of agents, publishers and submissions.

Originally Posted by JonathanBing

The time to start your first novel is when you feel your skin is thick enough to withstand the procession of depressing rejections that will march in once you start submitting it.

I agree that it is important to be ready to be rejected, but I have to say...I don't think that this should affect when someone starts writing. You've got to write the book before you start worrying about rejections and submissions. I think writing the book is the hardest step, getting it published should be something that is thought of after. If you worry about whether or not your book will be a success throughout the process of writing and developing it, you won't achieve much other than a stressful, unpleasant experience. Not disagreeing with you, Jonathan, that a writer should understand and accept the rejections that will most follow submissions, I'm just saying that I don't think it should stop someone from starting their first novel.

Originally Posted by JonathanBing

The time to start your first novel is when you feel your skin is thick enough to withstand the procession of depressing rejections that will march in once you start submitting it.

I wrote my first one at 12. But in those days, I knew nothing of agents, publishers and submissions.

How the heck will you get that thick skin if you never show anything around?

NEVER worry about getting a book published when you're writing it. That's pointless and counter-productive. Write it, edit it, edit it again, and if you think it's good enough to show to a publisher, then start worry about getting it published. If it's not good enough, put it in a drawer and move on to your next novel.

Originally Posted by Eluixa

Start. Why the heck not?