Before you begin to write, you need an idea of what type of novel you wish to produce. Will it be a murder mystery? A romance? Setting the theme in advance can help you create a plot and characters more easily.

Take inspiration as it comes to you, in whatever form. Sights, sounds and conversations can all lead to an entire story for your book. If the police officer you see on the street appears to be walking with a limp, imagine how he got that injury. What circumstances brought him to this street? Paying attention to details and allowing your imagination to run wild can lead to your first novel!

Find a time and place you will not be bothered and begin writing down ideas for the plot of your work. Jot down character sketches, snippets of conversations and key elements in the story line. Any ideas that come to mind can be helpful later on in the writing process.

You want your novel's setting to be accurate and evoke a sense of realism. If your novel is to be set in the 18th century, for example, do some research on that era so that you will convey a true portrayal of life in that time period. Find out the circumstances surrounding the issue you intend to write about so that your story will be believable.

Keeping a goal in mind is a great way to ensure you continue working on your novel once you start it. Ask yourself how many pages or chapters you can reasonably expect to write every day or week and stick to that number. Accomplishing goals gives you the momentum you need to continue writing.

Once you decide you want to write a novel, make sure you set aside time to work on it. Do not allow other engagements or distractions to sway you from your writing. Take care not to schedule appointments and dates during periods when you intend to work and you will find it much easier to write a book.

Giving yourself a little reward for accomplishing a chapter may seem silly, but it can go a long way towards keeping you motivated to continue writing. The reward can be as simple as a scoop of your favorite ice cream or as indulgent as a massage. Choose something you are willing to make an extra effort to obtain and you will find it easier to stick to your writing. If you take a step at a time you'll find the process of writing a book will be easier.