How to Write a Best-Selling Novel

It is, at least according to folklore, every writer's dream to write the great American novel. But in reality, writing a novel is a challenge for most writers because of the time and commitment involved. Writing a best-selling novel is within reach if you put in the work and are lucky enough to get a publisher to request a copy of your manuscript.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Become a voracious reader of books about writing novels and of best-selling novels, so you can understand what it takes to write a best-selling novel and so you can see how novelists create best-selling works. Reading is also a surefire way to help you become a better novelist.

2. Outline your plot before you begin writing, if that's your style. There are two schools of thought when it comes to outlining: Those writers who believe it is essential to crafting a strong story, and those writers who believe that it's more important to just start writing and allow the characters to lead the way.

3. Bring the characters and the story of your potential best-selling novel to life for your readers by showing them the story rather than telling them the story. To show your readers, use action words and descriptions using the five senses. Avoid use of any form of the verb "to be."

4. Create believable characters. If you want your novel to hit the best-seller charts, you must create characters to whom your readers can relate.

5. Set a schedule and write, so you can start and finish your novel within a set time frame. Writers are notorious for being procrastinators. Setting a schedule will allow you to become accountable to yourself and will allow you to complete your novel.

6. Put your first draft in a drawer for a few days or even a few weeks to give yourself some distance from your novel. Come back to it and begin the rewriting process with a fresh set of eyes and a fresh prospective. A large part of the writing process is rewriting.

7. Have a professional editor, preferably someone with experience working with best-selling novelists, edit your book. A professional editor will be able to fix obvious errors and point out ways to make your novel stronger, as long as you are open to criticism and understand that the criticism is not personal.

8. Shop your potential best-selling novel to agents that represent your genre, once you and your editor believe it is ready. Finding an agent to represent you will be a challenge, especially if you are an unpublished author, but keep persevering.

9. Don't give up even if you do not find an agent, or if you submit your novel to the appropriate publishers and it is rejected. Keep pushing forward if you believe in your work and want it to become a best-selling novel.

10. Generate excitement about your novel's pending release by blogging about it, scheduling book signings and marketing it. Reader excitement can be the spark that turns your novel into a best-seller.

Tips & Warnings

• You may want to have your friends and family read your manuscript, and that's fine. Just remember, though, that most loved ones will probably tell you what they think you want to hear rather than offering criticism. Having a professional, objective editor is extremely important to the development of your novel. Start writing your follow-up novel as soon as you've finished your first novel and as you are shopping it to agents and to publishers.

Resources

• Writer's Market
• New York Time's Best Seller List
• Directory of Literary Agents
• Writer's Digest
• Publishers Weekly