If you want 2019 to be the year you finally write that book you’ve always dreamed of writing, the first thing you need to consider is how you’re going to make 2019 different from 2018 – and 2017, and all the other years before that. 

The days between Christmas and New Year are perfect for this sort of goal setting and thinking (although if you’re reading this at any other time of year, right now works too!) so take some time to consider the following tips, and give yourself your best shot at finishing that book in 2019. 

Know thyself 

Only you know yourself well enough to predict what will work for you. So jot down things you already know about your writing process, and how you respond to goals and obligations. 

• Are you a burst writer, or a slow and steady sort? Writers who find it easier to rack up great work counts in dedicated writing days might benefit from designating set weekends or holidays as their writing time. Or perhaps a writing retreat might give you the head start you need? 
• Slow and steady writers, who build their wordcount by writing more consistently, a little every day, might find a tracking spreadsheet or app helpful. Seeing that word count grow day on day will help you build momentum. And once you get a writing streak going, you might find yourself writing every day just to avoid breaking the chain!
• Are you someone who needs a support network, cheering you on? Why not find a writers group – on or offline – where you can share your writing experiences and triumphs? 
• If you know you’re the sort of person who can only work with a deadline looming over them, then give yourself one! Set a date, work out what you need to do to meet it, and get going! Make it challenging but not impossible, and maybe even set a horrible penalty if you don’t make it… 
• For both of these last points, it’s worth mentioning NaNoWriMo, which has wonderful, supportive forums full of other writers, and a built in deadline. As well as the traditional November Novel Writing Month, they also do camps in April and July. 

Schedule it in

Once you know how you’re going to work, you need to figure out when. A vague ‘I’ll do it in my free time’ isn’t going to get this done, but putting writing time in your schedule – actually written in on your calendar or planner – will make you treat it like an important appointment. Which it is!

(If you’re struggling to find the time to write, check out my blog post Six Tips For Making Time To Write.) 

Find your motivation

Writing a whole book is a big endeavour, and generally when you’re starting out the only person who cares about it getting finished is you! So you have to really want it. 

Grab a piece of paper, or turn to a fresh page in your writing journal, and answer these three questions:

 1) Why does this story matter to you? If you’re going to stick with this story all the way to the end, you need to care about it. Jot down why it’s important to write this particular story, and all the things you love most about it. 

2) What’s your end goal? Where do you want your writing to take you? Do you want legions of adoring fans, or just to hold your book in your hand? Are you planning on sending it out to agents or giving it to your friends and family to read next Christmas? Get clear on what you want from this experience.

3) What’s your reward? In some cases, your goal might be out of your control (like the legions of adoring fans thing). I suggest setting a reward for yourself, something that you earn just by writing the book, whatever happens next. Because make no mistake – writing a book is a huge acheievement! And you should definitely celebrate it. 

Now, whenever you feel yourself losing enthusiasm for writing in general, or your story in particular, come back to this page for a jolt of motivation to get you going again. 

Enjoy the process

Maybe you just want to write one special book, then never pick up a pen or sit at a keyboard again. But if, like most writers, you have ambitions beyond the first book, then it’s important to find a way to enjoy the process. Make sitting down at your desk a ritual – light a candle you love, drink your tea out of special ‘writing’ cup, fire up your writing playlist – whatever makes the act of writing fun for you. 

Every writer enjoys having written. But trust me, the ones who enjoy the actual writing have a lot more fun.  

Good luck writing your novel in 2019! I know you can do it – and I can’t wait to cheer on your successes. Let me know how you get on!

Do you have any tips for writers starting their first novel in 2019? Please add them in the comments!