How to Write a Book: Step-by-Step Guide from Idea to Published Novel
By TagTwist Editorial Team15 min readWriting Guides
To write a book, start with a compelling idea, create an outline, set a daily writing schedule of 250-1000 words, and commit to finishing your first draft before editing. Most successful books take 3-12 months to write and require extensive editing—the key is consistency, not perfection, in your first draft.
Phase 1: Planning Your Book (1-2 Weeks)
Developing Your Core Idea
The "What If" Method
Start with a compelling question:
- What if someone could read minds but couldn't turn it off?
- What if you discovered your entire life was a lie?
- What if the last two people on Earth hated each other?
Your "what if" should create immediate conflict and possibilities.
Choose Your Genre and Audience
Popular Fiction Genres
- • Romance: 50,000-90,000 words
- • Mystery/Thriller: 70,000-90,000 words
- • Fantasy: 80,000-120,000 words
- • Literary Fiction: 80,000-100,000 words
- • Young Adult: 50,000-80,000 words
Know Your Target Reader
- • Age range and interests
- • Reading habits and preferences
- • Similar books they enjoy
- • Where they discover new books
- • How much they typically read
Create Your Main Characters
Character Development Template
- Name and basic details: Age, appearance, occupation
- Backstory: What shaped them into who they are?
- Goals: What do they want more than anything?
- Motivations: Why do they want it?
- Obstacles: What's preventing them from getting it?
- Flaws: What makes them human and relatable?
- Character arc: How will they change by the end?
Phase 2: Outlining Your Story (1-2 Weeks)
The Three-Act Structure
Act I: Setup (25%)
- Opening hook
- Introduce protagonist
- Show normal world
- Inciting incident
- Plot point 1 (turning point)
Act II: Confrontation (50%)
- Rising action
- Character development
- Midpoint twist
- Complications increase
- Plot point 2 (crisis)
Act III: Resolution (25%)
- Final push
- Climax
- Resolution
- Denouement
- New equilibrium
Chapter-by-Chapter Outline
For each chapter, write 2-3 sentences covering:
- Goal: What does the protagonist want in this chapter?
- Conflict: What obstacles do they face?
- Outcome: Do they succeed, fail, or get something unexpected?
- Hook: What makes readers want to continue?
Phase 3: Writing Your First Draft (3-6 Months)
Establish Your Writing Routine
Daily Word Count Goals
- Beginner: 250-500 words/day (3-6 months)
- Intermediate: 500-1000 words/day (2-4 months)
- Advanced: 1000-2000 words/day (1-2 months)
- NaNoWriMo pace: 1,667 words/day (1 month)
Writing Schedule Options
- Early bird: 5:30-7:00 AM before work
- Lunch break: 30-45 minutes daily
- Evening: 7:00-9:00 PM after dinner
- Weekend warrior: 2-4 hours on weekends
First Draft Writing Rules
- Write terrible first drafts: Give yourself permission to write badly
- Don't edit while writing: Editing kills momentum
- Keep moving forward: If you get stuck, write [SCENE NEEDED] and continue
- Track your progress: Daily word counts keep you motivated
- Celebrate milestones: Reward yourself for chapters completed
Overcoming Common Writing Obstacles
- Writer's block: Change locations, write a different scene, or interview your characters
- Perfectionism: Remember: you can't edit a blank page
- Imposter syndrome: Every author feels this way—keep writing anyway
- Loss of motivation: Revisit why you wanted to write this story
- Time constraints: Even 15 minutes of daily writing adds up
Phase 4: Revision and Editing (2-4 Months)
The Multi-Pass Editing System
Pass 1: Structural Edit
Focus on plot, pacing, character arcs, and major story issues
Pass 2: Content Edit
Improve scenes, dialogue, descriptions, and character development
Pass 3: Line Edit
Polish prose, fix awkward sentences, improve flow and clarity
Pass 4: Proofread
Catch typos, grammar errors, and formatting issues
Beta Readers and Feedback
- Find your ideal readers: People who read your genre regularly
- Ask specific questions: "Did the ending feel satisfying?" vs. "What did you think?"
- Consider all feedback: But remember, you don't have to implement everything
- Professional editing: Consider hiring an editor for your final draft
Phase 5: Publishing Your Book
Publishing Options
Traditional Publishing
- • Query literary agents
- • Publisher handles costs and marketing
- • Longer timeline (2-4 years)
- • Higher prestige, lower royalties
- • Harder to get accepted
Self-Publishing
- • Platforms like Amazon KDP
- • You handle all costs and marketing
- • Faster timeline (3-6 months)
- • Higher royalties, more control
- • Complete creative freedom
Book Writing Timeline
Realistic Timeline for First-Time Authors
Planning & Outlining:2-4 weeks
First Draft:3-6 months
Revision & Editing:2-4 months
Beta Reading & Final Polish:1-2 months
Total Time:8-16 months
Essential Tools for Book Writing
Writing Software
- • Scrivener (organization)
- • Google Docs (free, cloud-based)
- • Microsoft Word (industry standard)
- • Notion (all-in-one workspace)
Research & Planning
- • Pinterest (visual inspiration)
- • Character name generators
- • World building templates
- • Timeline tools
Productivity
- • Word count trackers
- • Pomodoro timers
- • Distraction blockers
- • Writing habit apps
Start Writing Your Book Today
Writing a book is a marathon, not a sprint. The most important step is to begin. Don't wait for the perfect idea or the perfect time—start with what you have and improve as you go. Every published author started with a blank page and the decision to fill it.