Ever wondered how to write your first novel with no experience?

You’re not alone. I started from zero, too.

Just a day job I hated and a dream I kept burying under “maybe later.”

Until one dark November evening, I was on bus the home. The beautiful fields, animals, buildings inspiring me to create once again. And then it happened.

I saw the gray building.

A knot formed in my stomach as I recognized the company logo.

It was where I worked.

It wasn’t that I hated the job itself. I hated the fact that I was forced to do something else than writing.

I wanted freedom. The kind you get from building characters and crafting worlds.

Photo by Mel Poole on Unsplash

That night, I made a decision. I was going to figure out how to write a novel with no experience. And I wasn’t going to stop until I had.

I was going to write a novel, no matter the cost.

And now, fast forward a year later – I’ve written three novels over 100,000 words each.

So if you’re sitting there wondering how to write a novel with no experience, I get it.

And I’ve got you.

I still remember when I started looking into how to write a novel with no experience.

Here are the seven steps that helped me go from “no clue” to “actually writing.”

How to Write Your First Novel (Even If You Have Zero Experience)

This isn’t meant to scare you off.

Actually, it’s the opposite.

One of the biggest realizations I had when I started writing was how long the process really is.

I know, “writing a novel takes time” isn’t really some shocking revelation.

But people still ask: How long does it take to write a novel?

Well, It took me about two weeks to write the first 90,000 words (can’t recommend it). I let it breathe for a month.

This was August of last year.

Yes, I had done a bit of short story writing beforehand, but this was my first attempt at writing a novel.

Since then I’ve been editing daily in 30-minute chunks. It’s now sitting at 134,000 words and I’m just now finishing round one of edits.

So yeah, If you’re serious about learning how to write a novel with no experience, expect the journey to last 10–12 months minimum.

I know, not what you wanted to hear? But that’s the truth.

But to even get started you need an idea. It’s the backbone of your story, so it’s something I recommend you spend a greate deal of time on.

How to Find a Story Worth Telling

First let’s be honest: staring at a blank document isn’t brainstorming. It’s self-inflicted purgatory.

And even brainstorming is bad enough in itself.

To find an idea worth writing, you’ve got to get out of your head and away from the screen.

Go outside.

Take walks.

Read books.

Experience stuff.

Whatever it is, don’t try to force them. They’ll come naturally by themselves.

Many of my early story ideas came from blending real experiences with strange “what ifs.”

Like: What if that quiet neighbor was actually a lost time traveler? or What if the kid on the bus had powers but could only use them by speaking German?

Or while wandering the forest or strolling through the city.

Every day I went out, and every day I came home with a new idea.

No matter how you do, one thing was certain. There’ll be thousands of ideas, but eventually, you’ll feel one of those ideas start to cling.

And once you find the idea you really like, then you are ready for the next step. The process of letting your idea grow.

How to Develop and Nurture Your Novel Idea

“I just came up with an idea, and now you tell me I have to wait?”

Yes, sorry. – The idea is still in a pre-production stage.

“So what do I do?”

You must wait.

I get it.

You want to start writing now, but here’s the thing: Ideas are like dough, if you rush them, they fall flat.

Trust me, I like to make pizza and those bastards will punish you if you don’t let them rest.

Try this:

• Put the idea in your subconscious for a few days, max a week
• Ask yourself questions: Who’s the main character? What’s the tone? How’s the story going to start?
• Jot down thoughts, not full scenes.

My first novel idea started out as “a kid living alone in the 1800s.”

Well, waiting made it turn, a way different direction.

Turns out, he just lived in a country stuck in time. He taught himself how to read and write, and ended up exploring lands no one thought existed.

I wrote this novel in three months and I don’t think the end result would have been the same had I not let it rest.

So, I know it might not seem like a lot but allow yourself a few days to pack on the details and you’ll have a much easier time starting on your writing journey.

But before we dive into the details of how to actually start writing your first novel, I want to give you a quick overview of writing routine and writing software.

Build a Writing Routine You Can Stick To

Writing is just like any other creative hobby.

You need to build a consistent habit to make progress.

And while I get it, it can seem daunting, it’s not that difficult.

I’ve a post where I go into the details of why having a writing routine is important, so I’ll just do a quick sum up here.

When I started out, I wanted to write for 30 minutes, but to make sure I’d make it, I started out with 15 minutes.

This made it easy for me to start and difficult to skip days.

Of course, your situation might be different.

But if you’re learning how to write a novel with no experience, your best asset is a habit, not intensity.

Ask yourself: “What can I do?” and then do that amount.

It’s better to start small and then increase the amount once you have become consistent with your daily writing.

Choosing Your Writing Software Wisely

This one’s simple: use what works

You don’t need Scrivener, Ulysses, or the latest AI-powered writer to write a novel.

I started with Google Docs. Moved to Microsoft Word and I still use it.

“But isn’t it bad. I hear him, her, them, say XYZ”

It’s the software I’m using right now for my 134,000-word novel and it works just fine.

Of course, the specialized and paid software provides nice features, but as an aspiring writer, do you really need all those features?

Use free tools (I recommend Google Docs or LibreOffice) until you hit a real roadblock, but even then, ask yourself: do I really need a new app?

Because, it’s time to actually start writing your first novel.

How to Start Writing Your Novel With No Experience

By now, your idea has been brewing for a few days and it’s time to get started.

Well, most new writers (including me) assume every part of a novel will be equally hard.

Spoiler: That’s not true.

The hardest part is often the beginning.

Those first ten pages – what I call the entry pages – are where it all begins. They set the tone for your readers, but they also ground you, the writer, in the world you’re building.

The entry pages are the first ten pages of the novel. They set the tone for the reader and establish the direction of the story for the writer.

Want to begin slowly and ease your reader in? Or drop them right into the middle of chaos (in medias res, if we’re feeling fancy)? Either works. But having even a rough idea before you start will make everything feel way less overwhelming.

But before you write your first line, there’s a bigger decision to make…

Do you freewrite or with an outline?

Choose Your Novel Writing Style: Outline or Freewrite?

I’ll make it short, so you can get back to the juicy stuff.

1. Outline: You map out plot points, characters, and structure before writng a word. Great for staying on track.
2. Freewrite: You start writing and discover the story as you go. Messsy, but liberating.

I started outlining, but it wasn’t my thing.

I loved to just write whatever my mind tells me and then edit the chaos later.

I understand this might be too much for your first novel and that’s absolutely okay.

In my experience, when you’re still trying to figure out how to write a novel with no experience, it’s best to do it with an outline.

Still, when you’re learning how to write a novel with no experience, structure helps. Try both approaches.

I can guarantee, you’ll discover your rhythm in time.

How to Begin Your Novel’s First Sentences

The first page is the monster under every writer’s bed.

At least the first time around when you learn how to write a novel with no experience.

Here’s what I say: Just write garbage. Glorious, messy, inconsistent garbage.

I know it seems ineffective, but those early paragraphs won’t be perfect and they’re not supposed to be.

Their only job is to exist. Once there’s something on the page, your brain relaxes and start building momentum.

Guess it’s one of the times my ability to just spill out words actually is an advantage.

This means putting out a few risky words that you have to delete later. They are your starting blocks, and from my experience, once you see that the document isn’t blank, then it’s to keep writing.

Worried it doesn’t make sense? Fix it later. You’re not carving stone tablets.

You’re making mud pies that’ll turn into art eventually.

And once you have started your journey, then it’s time to make sure you keep going.

Set Small Daily Writing Goals to Stay on Track

Forget 5,000-word sprints, writing for eight hours a day.

Ask yourself: “What can I do today?”

That’s all that matters.

I committed to 30 minutes per day. Sometimes that was 500 words, sometimes a scene. After two months: 90,000 words.

When you’re figuring out how to write a novel with no experience, this tiny habit is your lifeline.

Sure, it wasn’t a masterpiece, but this is to prove, even with no experience, it’s not impossible to write a novel.

Yes, I missed days.

You’ll too.

It’s fine.

The only “rule” is: Keep going.

How to Stay Motivated When You Miss a Writing Day

You missed a writing day and now you’re scared the daily habit you worked so hard to build will disappear right in front of you.

Don’t worry. It won’t.

This is a long-term relationship, not a one-night stand.

If life happens, roll with it.

The goal is consistency over time, not perfection.

When you’re learning how to write a novel with no experience, consistency matters more than volume, and missing a day is a natural part of the journey.

I don’t remember how many days I failed to write, but it was usually because something really important happened that I was okay with missing my daily work.

Some tricks:

• Write on your phone during a commute.
• Fake a bathroom break and jot 100 words.
• Wake up 20 minutes earlier.

(There’s a reason why you set the bar lower in the start.)

But if it happens you miss a day, shrug it off.

Start again tomorrow.

You have a long road ahead of you and you need to stay disciplined throughout as you write your novel.

It’s Time to Write Your First Novel

At this point, I have pretty much laid everything out you need.

You’ve got your idea.

You’ve set your expectations, built your routine.

Now it’s time to finally write.

One majority recommendation I can give though.

Don’t nitpick paragraphs and don’t stress over transitions.

Tell the story the way you want and worry about the details later.

That’s what the editing phase is for anyway.

So please, if you’re still wondering how to write a novel with no experience, understand that the only way to learn is to write.

Why Having No Experience Is a Hidden Gift

This guide is getting long, which honestly wasn’t my intention.

But honestly, I just want to make sure I give you everything I have learned through the last year.

So, let’s kill one last lie once and for all: “You can’t be a writer if you’ve never done it before.”

Actually? Your lack of experience is fuel. You’ve got no baggage. No expectations. Just passion and curiosity.

This isn’t like a job application.

Experience doesn’t matter.

You’ve the whole field right in front of you with endless possibilities.

Besides, the best writers aren’t the ones with the most credentials. They’re the ones who show up, every day, and do the work.

So don’t wait to be taken seriously.

Start now while you still have the chance to fail, learn, improve, and enjoy the journey without the pressure of hundreds of eyes.

The 7 Steps to Write a Novel With No Experience

Phew, that was a lot, I know.

But learning how to write a novel with no experience is a big task.

I just hope something in this post helps you feel more confident, more equipped, and a little less alone as you step into writing your first novel.

Writing your first novel is a big deal. Finding your idea, letting it grow, figuring out your writing style, choosing your software, building a habit, every piece matters.

Start slowly. Set manageable daily goals. Let your consistency carry you through.

And hey, not every day will be perfect.

You’ll miss days.

You’ll procrastinate.

You’ll wrestle with your own brain. That’s not failure. That’s just writing for you.

When your idea has grown and you’re ready to write, then make sure to start out slowly. Give yourself a low daily goal and use it to build a great habit.

I hope this guide helped answer how to write a novel with no experience, and reminded you that “no experience” is just the beginning of your story.

That’s a wrap for today.

I hope this post helped you understand how to write your first novel with no experience

What step resonated with you the most? Or what’s still holding you back? Share your thoughts in the comments or send me a mail – I’d genuinely love to hear your story.

Until next time – stay creative, stay curious, and keep showing up.

Your writing buddy,

Jack

Authorbytrade – Time to take control of your creativity.