• By Winston Kuwada
• Published 02/14/2012
• Writing

If you are setting out to write a novel, then you should congratulate yourself. Many people have dreams of doing this, but very few ever succeed. There are plenty of reasons for this, but the main culprit for most people is just getting started. Because you are reading this article, you are well on your way to writing and publishing success. Before long, you’ll be able to walk into a book store and see your name up there on the best seller shelf, next to famous authors that you know how. However, the path between here and there is filled with unexpected land mines that can easily cause you to rethink your dreams. The surest way to overcome these obstacles is to realize they are coming. That way, you’ll be able to handle them, and keep on moving toward your goals.

One mistake is that when you start off, you have all kinds of great ideas, but after a few weeks of writing and seeing how tedious it can really be, many people give up. But they forget the famous saying by Thomas Edison: “Invention is one percent inspiration, and ninety nine percent perspiration.” This is never truer than when writing a novel. You may have inspiration to get started, but you’ll need some serious motivation to get past those

spots when you aren’t motivated. One way around this to create a powerful image of the future when you are successful. Make it as bright and as vivid as you can. Put all kinds of feeling and emotions into it. Imagine people telling you how cool it is to meet a best selling author. See your first big check from your publisher. Whenever your motivation is lagging, then call up this image and allow it to pull you forward. Another common mistake is writing during irregular times or intervals. If you write at night one day, then in the morning another day, and then for a couple of hours in your favorite coffee shop, then it becomes really easy to put off writing. On the other hand, if you write at the same time every day, day in and day out, you’ll be much more likely to power on ahead. Not keeping a writing space dedicated to writing is also a big mistake. If you use the same computer you use for surfing the internet that you do for writing, you’ll easily be distracted. However, if you have a special desk and special writing space that you consider your work space, you’ll be much more likely to be successful.

If you avoid these simple mistakes, you’ll be much more likely to succeed at your goal, which is to write a best selling novel that millions of people will read and enjoy.