Welcome to Authoreze! Where you can access all the essential information and tools needed to make the transition from a writer to an author and reach your full potential. Our platform offers diverse resources across various sections to cater to your specific needs. Feel free to explore them and discover the relevant information that will assist you in your author journey.

So, you want to write a novel! According to some estimates between 2 to 2.5 million novels are published traditionally and online every year. Significantly more are begun, but never completed. These tips will help you to get a good start on your novel writing journey and your work to become one of the former, not one of the latter. The first question to ask yourself is- Do I have the skills to write a novel? Of course if you have a strong desire to get between 50,000 and 120,000 words down on paper and aren’t to concerned about your novel’s impact on the reader then fire up your laptop and get to it! But if you want to put together something that other people will want to read, whatever the genre, then you need to take a cold hard look at: Your skillset. Even if you’re a natural there are certain accepted standards that a written work requires. At least if you want it to be digestible by the average reader for your genre. While James Joyce and Cormac McCarthy were able ignore some of the basics of grammar with renowned success, as a first time novelist particularly, you need to get the basics right. If you don’t know an adjective from an adverb, where to place a comma or the difference between a fragmented and a sprawling sentence you might want to turn to our Books for Writers section and take a look at Strunk and White’s ‘The Elements of Style’. Equally you may want to go to Software for Writers and take a look at ‘Grammarly’ or ProWritingAid and Scrivener. Having grammatically correct writing is not even half the battle, not even close, but it’s an expected minimum if you want to have a chance of seeing your endless hours spent in front of a laptop read by more than a handful of people. Have you read widely in the genre that you want to write in? If you don’t know what your hoped for readers expect to see from the first page to the last then you’re only going to disappoint and the first page is as far as many of them might get to. Know your reader and what they want to get out of your novel. Almost without exception, whatever the genre almost all readers nowadays expect to be able to immerse themselves in a book, to be able to see, touch, smell and hear what is happening. Readers don’t want to be simply told what is happening, they want it to be shown to them. Over many years skilled writers have brought the craft of ‘showing over telling’ to a fine art form. Likewise, for centuries story tellers have know that all good tales have a ‘narrative arc’, which comprises initial exposition (setting the scene), rising action, climax, falling action and resolution. Unless you are looking to invent a new form of fiction then your story should expertly utilize ‘showing over telling’, the ‘narrative arc’ and many of the other ‘tools of the craft’ that successful authors have been using since the days of Homer, the first great recorded story teller. Authoreze has gathered many sources of useful indispensable information that will give you guidance either generally on the tools of the craft or on specific areas of expertise. Many of our ‘Websites for Writers’ have sections dedicated to the tools of the craft. Likewise our ‘Books for Writers’ lists educational works, some written by well known published authors and other written by experts in the field on areas such as the intricacies of dialogue, how to begin and end your novel, how to write that ‘first page’, flashbacks, foreshadowing, the use of adjectives, adverbs and much more. Our Authortubes category lists many highly watchable authortubers, most of whom are traditionally published or ‘indie’ authors, speaking about their own experiences of writing and publishing a novel, a great way to learn and be entertained at the same time.

Some writers brainstorm, some writers carry notebooks around with them and record ideas as they pop into their heads. It doesn’t really matter where your idea or ideas come from as long as you feel passionate about it, passionate enough to spend many hours sitting at a desk, writing, rewriting and editing your work until it is good as you can make it.

Some essential skills for becoming a writer include a strong command of language, excellent writing skills, creativity, imagination, and the ability to work independently and manage your time effectively.

Reading widely and deeply in a variety of genres can help improve your writing skills. Reading books by your favorite authors can help you learn how to craft a compelling narrative, develop interesting characters, and use language effectively. You may also want to read books about the craft of writing or take writing courses to hone your skills. You should check our websites for writers section, you will find a lot of useful tools and insights from well known writers.

Finding your voice as a writer is a process that takes time and practice. One way to find your voice is to experiment with different writing styles and techniques until you find a style that feels natural and authentic to you. You may also want to read your writing aloud to see how it sounds and get feedback from other writers or readers.

An often asked question and the answer to this question will determine whether you open your laptop and start tapping away, or the degree to which you plan your novel, building the outline, developing main character analyses, detailing chapter outlines and the narrative arc of your novel including structure and plot. If it’s your first novel and you want to find out which methodology suits you most, your best bet is to plan, at least to some extent, the risk being that if you don’t you may end up with a work that, rambles, lacks structure, has a weak plot with characters that are not fully developed and lacks a satisfying climax or resolution. Outlining, even in a few lines, the key events in each chapter will allow you to develop a structure that allows you to clearly see the arc of your novel and develop it accordingly as you write. The argument for pantsing (flying by the seat of your pants) on the other hand is that it allows for greater creativity, enabling the writer to surprise themselves as well as the reader with plot twists and new and interesting characters that fit naturally with the story as it develops. As romantic as this may sound first time novelists will most likely find that writing to some kind of plan will help them maintain motivation and discipline with outlined goals and objectives and significantly less rewriting to do once the first draft is completed.

What do you want to write about? Yes, seriously, there’s no point in writing about something that you don’t have passion for. Writing a novel is hard enough without spending countless hours sweating over a keyboard for something that you are not fully engaged in. What do you like to read? Most probably you have a passion for a particular genre. And if so you probably have a good idea of what readers expect to keep them engrossed from beginning to end. And just as importantly what will get them to put the book down after the first chapter or in the middle of the book. Writing about what you know isn’t a necessity in writing a successful novel but it will certainly help, particularly if it’s your first. Being able to inject your novel with character, scenic and thematic detail that rings true will only help to draw the reader into your work and developing believable characters, and injecting your novel with some personal knowledge will greatly aid in your objective of suspending reality. This isn’t to say that if you haven’t lived on an exo planet in a galaxy far, far away you can’t write science fiction. Knowledge of the genre, ideas that you’ve gathered from your reading experiences injected with your own thoughts on world building and imagination will suffice. The same is true of fantasy. Clearly with historical fiction you should be well read on the period that you seek to write about. In other words the old saying ‘write what you know’ doesn’t mean that you can only write about things that you have personally experienced, but about your knowledge in the broader sense, depending on the type of novel that you want to write.

A beta reader is someone who reads an early draft of a manuscript or written work and provides feedback to the author. Beta readers are usually not professional editors, but rather interested readers who can provide an objective perspective on the work. They can offer constructive criticism, point out plot holes, highlight areas that need improvement, and give overall feedback on the story's structure and pacing. Beta readers are valuable because they can provide insight into how readers will respond to the final product, this feedback can help you make improvements before your work is published. Beta readers are not professionals in the writing sector but friends, family members, or members of an online reading community. A good piece of advice would be to choose beta readers who are interested in the genre or subject matter.

Writer's block can be frustrating, but there are several strategies you can try to overcome it. One approach is to take a break and engage in a different creative activity, such as painting or drawing. You can also try freewriting, where you write whatever comes to mind for a set period of time without worrying about grammar, spelling, or punctuation. Another strategy is to set small, achievable goals for your writing and focus on making progress rather than producing a perfect draft. You can check one of our more recommended books for creativity: The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

Once you have finished your manuscript, you can start the process of seeking publication. This may involve finding a literary agent, submitting your work to publishers, or self-publishing your book. You may also want to seek feedback from beta readers or hire a professional editor to help polish your manuscript before submitting it for publication.

There are many self-publishing platforms available, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Here are some of the best self-publishing platforms: Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP): KDP is one of the most popular self-publishing platforms, allowing authors to publish eBooks and print books through Amazon's platform. It offers a user-friendly interface, a wide distribution network, and royalty rates up to 70%. IngramSpark: IngramSpark is a self-publishing platform that offers distribution to over 40,000 bookstores and libraries worldwide. It offers print-on-demand services, meaning books are printed only when an order is received. IngramSpark also offers a variety of formatting options and provides authors with a range of marketing tools. Draft2Digital: Draft2Digital is a self-publishing platform that allows authors to publish eBooks to a range of online retailers, including Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo. It offers a user-friendly interface and a range of formatting options, as well as marketing tools and analytics. Smashwords: Smashwords is a self-publishing platform that allows authors to publish eBooks and distribute them to a range of online retailers, including Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo. It offers a user-friendly interface and a range of formatting options, as well as marketing tools and analytics. Blurb: Blurb is a self-publishing platform that specializes in print-on-demand books. It offers a range of book formats, including hardcover, softcover, and magazine-style books. Blurb also offers a variety of book creation tools, including templates, layout tools, and design services. Ultimately, the best self-publishing platform for you will depend on your individual needs and goals. It's worth researching and comparing the features and pricing of each platform to find the best fit for your needs.

Approaching an editor can be nerve-wracking, but here are some tips to help you: Research the editor. Before approaching an editor, do some research to learn about their work, interests, and the types of projects they typically work on. Craft a complete and professional email. Provide the editor the context and topic of your book. With a little research, preparation, and persistence, you may be able to catch the attention of an editor and get your work published. You can check our blog section called "Book editors & doctors" to find amazing and well-known editors.

Yes, having your novel edited by a professional is highly recommended. While it's possible to self-edit, a professional editor can provide an objective and experienced perspective on your work, helping you to identify areas that need improvement and offering suggestions for how to make your writing clearer, more engaging, and more polished. Hiring an editor can be an investment, but it can pay off in the long run by improving the quality of your work and increasing your chances of success in the publishing industry. It's important to do your research and find an editor who has experience in your genre or subject matter and who has a style and approach that resonates with you.

Assessing the quality of your writing can be a subjective and difficult process, but there are a few strategies that can help you determine whether your work is strong or needs improvement. Get feedback: Sharing your work with other writers, beta readers, or trusted friends and family members can provide valuable feedback and insights into your writing. Consider joining a writing group or workshop to get regular feedback on your work. Study craft: Reading widely in your genre or subject matter and studying the craft of writing can help you improve your skills and gain a better understanding of what makes a strong piece of writing. Take a break: Sometimes, stepping away from your work for some time can give you a fresh perspective and help you identify areas that need improvement. Trust your instincts: Ultimately, the best judge of your writing is yourself. If you feel confident in your work and believe it has value, that's a good sign that you're on the right track. Remember that writing is a process and that every writer, no matter how experienced, goes through periods of self-doubt and uncertainty. Keep writing, seek out feedback, and continue to learn and grow as a writer.

The length of a novel can vary depending on the genre and the publisher's guidelines. Generally, a novel is considered to be a work of fiction that is at least 40,000 words in length. However, different genres have different expectations for length. For example, a romance novel might be between 50,000 and 90,000 words, while a science fiction or fantasy novel could be as long as 100,000 to 150,000 words. It's important to keep in mind that the length of your novel should be determined by the story you're telling, not a specific word count. Your story should be as long as it needs to be to fully develop the plot, characters, and themes. However, it's also important to be aware of the publisher's guidelines and expectations for length, as this can impact your chances of getting published.

Finding a publisher can be a challenging process, but here are some steps you can take to increase your chances: Research publishers Follow the publisher submission guidelines (format of your manuscript, materials that you should include in your submission, etc) Prepare a good query letter. Be patient. Sometimes the publishing industry can be slow, so it is important to be patient. Remember, finding a publisher is a competitive process and rejection is a common part of the process. But with persistence, patience, and a great book, you may be able to find the right publisher for your work.

The number of drafts you should write depends on your writing process and the nature of your project. Some writers may only need to write a few drafts, while others may go through many rounds of revisions. In general, most writers will write at least two or three drafts. The first draft is often a "discovery draft," where you focus on getting the story down on paper without worrying too much about structure or style. The second draft is where you begin to refine the story. Subsequent drafts may focus on specific areas of improvement or on polishing the language and style of the work. Ultimately, the goal is to produce a polished final draft that is as good as it can be. Some writers may be satisfied with their work after just a few drafts, while others may require more rounds of revision to achieve their desired result. It's important to remember that writing is a process and that each draft is an opportunity to improve and refine your work.

As for your chances of being traditionally published, it's difficult to say as it varies widely depending on factors such as your genre, writing quality, and the current publishing market. While the traditional publishing process can be competitive and time-consuming, it is still the preferred option for many writers, as it typically provides a higher level of prestige and exposure. To improve your chances of being traditionally published focus on honing your craft. Also, try to build a strong author platform and research publishers who may be a good fit for your work. Attend writing conferences or join writing groups to make connections and learn more about the industry. Remember that publishing is a subjective and often unpredictable process and that persistence and perseverance are key to success in the industry.

Staying motivated while writing can be a challenge, but here are some tips that may help: Set achievable goals: Break down your writing project into manageable chunks and set realistic goals for each session. Create a writing routine: Establish a consistent writing routine that works for you. Find a writing community: Join a writing group or find a writing partner who can provide support, feedback, and accountability. Take breaks: Writing can be mentally and emotionally taxing, so it's important to take breaks. Stay inspired: Surround yourself with inspiration by reading books in your genre, attending writing events, or listening to podcasts or interviews with authors you admire. Remember, writing is a journey and it's important to enjoy the process as well as the end result. Don't be too hard on yourself, and remember that every word you write is an accomplishment.