Write the novel you’ve always wanted to write.
From idea to finished book: mindset, craft, the first draft and editing. Written and narrated by Joanna Penn.
Do you want to write a novel but don’t know where to start?
Are you overwhelmed with self-doubt when you try to write? Have you started lots of stories but never finished one?
Writing a novel will change your life. It might not be in the way you expect, but when you hold your book in your hand and say, I made this, something will shift.
I’m Joanna (J.F.) Penn, award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thrillers, dark fantasy and horror. This book will help you write your first novel, or improve your creative process so you can write more books and reach more readers.
Who this book is for
This book is for writers who have always wanted to write a novel and never finished one, and for authors who have published before and want a better process. It covers mindset, ideas and research, the elements of story, the first draft, and editing through to a finished book.
It’s for planners and discovery writers alike. I’m a discovery writer, and I show you both approaches so you can find the one that fits you. It also helps non-fiction authors who want to try fiction.
What you’ll learn
The book is organised in five parts: first principles; ideas, research, plotting and discovery writing; aspects of a novel; writing the first draft; and the editing process. Each chapter ends with questions for your own book. Here are the questions it answers.
- Why am I writing a novel, and what has stopped me finishing one before?
- How do I find and capture ideas, and how much research is enough?
- Should I outline, or discovery write?
- What am I writing: genre, length, stand-alone or series?
- How does story structure work, and what goes in a scene?
- How do I create characters, choose a point of view, and write dialogue?
- What makes a strong opening and a satisfying ending?
- How do I write the first draft, and should I try dictation?
- What is writer’s block, and what do I do about it?
- When is the first draft finished?
- How do I self-edit, then find and work with a professional editor?
- When is the book finished?
Read sample chapters
The whole book is published chapter by chapter on my store, so you can read before you buy. These three are a good place to start.
See the full chapter list on my store, or the compact list further down this page.
Listen to a sample of the audiobook, narrated by me.
Listen to the full audiobook on YouTube
The whole audiobook is on my YouTube channel, with chapter markers, so you can try it before you buy. If it helps, you can support my work by buying a copy in whichever format suits you.
Where to buy
Available in ebook, paperback, hardback, large print, audiobook (narrated by me), and a spiral-bound companion workbook. Buying direct from my store gives you the best price on bundles and supports me directly. Thank you.
What readers say
★★★★★
I've read quite a few in this genre as I've tried to get my first novel finished and this is the best, most complete, and informative of all of them.
J Wilson
★★★★★
Joanna's book is well-structured, offering clear, actionable advice illustrated by her own experience and research. Unlike some craft books I have read, Joanna encourages the reader to find the process that works best for them.
Veronica Gilbert
★★★★★
If you are lost on how a novel is supposed to come together, this is an invaluable book. Even after reading it cover to cover, I still reference it as I write my own book. It gets you excited to write!
J
About Joanna Penn
I’m an award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. I write non-fiction for authors as Joanna Penn, and thrillers, dark fantasy, horror and travel memoir as J.F. Penn.
I’ve hosted The Creative Penn Podcast since 2009, with interviews on writing, publishing, book marketing and making a living with your writing.
I have a Master’s degree in Death, Religion and Culture from the University of Winchester (2026) and a Master’s in Theology from the University of Oxford. I live in Bath, England.
Articles on writing a novel
Start with How to write fiction: 7 steps to write your novel and How to write the first draft of your novel, then dip into these.
- Plotting and outlining versus discovery writing
- How to research a novel, and when to stop
- How to write compelling characters
- Writing characters: 15 actionable tips for deep character
- What are you writing? Word count, stand-alone, series or serial
- How to find time to write
- How to dictate your book
- Self-doubt and imposter syndrome
- Editing, revisions and proofreading: what happens after the first draft?
- How to find and work with a professional editor
- My list of recommended editors and proofreaders
- Lessons learned from rewriting my first novel after more than a decade
- Tutorial: how I use Scrivener for fiction and non-fiction
- How to write thrillers, horror, mystery and crime fiction
- How to write horror
Podcast episodes about writing a novel
I talk about the craft of fiction every week on The Creative Penn Podcast. These episodes go deeper into topics from the book.
- Editing a novel: self-editing, and how to work with a professional editor (Joanna Penn)
- From page one to done: fast drafting your novel with Jessica Brody
- Organic writing and the power of the pivot in fiction with Steven James
- Writing emotion, discovery writing, and slow sustainable book marketing with Roz Morris
- Bad choices make good stories: character, critique and community with Erin Dionne
- Verb your enthusiasm: transform your writing with stronger verbs with Sarah Kaufman
- Strong verbs and hard truths: good writing with Anne Lamott and Neal Allen
- How ordinary drafts become extraordinary books with Kristopher Jansma
- Writing tips: craft, structure, and voice with Kristen Tate
- Intuitive discovery writing and serial fiction with KimBoo York
- Outlining tips with Jenna Moreci
- Writing a novel will change your life (the audiobook introduction)
More sample chapters from How to Write a Novel
Every chapter is on my store as an excerpt. Browse the full list, or start with these.
- Why are you writing a novel?
- What has stopped you from completing a novel before?
- Principles to keep in mind as you create
- How to find and capture ideas
- How to research your novel and when to stop
- Outlining (or plotting)
- Discovery writing (or pantsing)
- What are you writing? Genre
- What are you writing? Short story, novella, or novel
- What are you writing? Stand-alone, series, or serial
- Story structure
- Scenes and chapters
- Character: Who is the story about?
- Point of view
- Dialogue
- Plot: What happens in the story?
- Conflict
- Openings and endings
- Setting and world-building: Where does the story happen?
- Author voice
- Theme
- Book or story title
- Language versus story and tools versus art
- Attitude to the first draft
- How to write the first draft
- Dictate your book
- Write fast, cycle through, or write slow
- Writer’s block
- Writing tools and software
- When is the first draft finished?
Questions about writing a novel
Should I outline my novel or discovery write?
Either works, and the result is the same: a finished book. Outliners spend time up front and write faster drafts, which also helps co-writers. Discovery writers jump in and find the story as they go, then spend longer editing. I'm a discovery writer. Try both and keep what fits you.
How long should a novel be?
Novels are anything over 50,000 words, and genre sets the expectation: romance is often nearer 50,000, thrillers and crime 70,000 to 90,000, and epic fantasy well over 120,000. Novellas run 20,000 to 40,000 words and short stories 2,000 to 5,000. Check the page counts of books like yours and assume around 300 words a page.
How do I write the first draft of a novel?
Schedule writing blocks in your calendar and turn up for them. Write only in that time: no email, no social media. The words don't have to be good. You need to get black on white so you have something to edit. A café, a co-working room or a dictation walk all help.
When is the first draft finished?
When it is a coherent story from beginning to end, without notes like insert action scene here. The main story questions are answered, the character has changed, and the scenes are in order. It isn't perfect and nobody else sees it yet. Mark the moment, celebrate, then move to editing.
What is writer's block and how do I get past it?
Writer's block is not one thing. You might not know how to write a novel yet, you might be writing the wrong kind of book, or you might be tired, afraid or perfectionist. My own block lifted when I stopped trying to write a literary prize-winner and wrote the thrillers I loved to read.
How long does it take to write a novel?
There are too many variables to give one answer: how developed the story is, your experience, the genre, the length, and the hours you can give it. First novels often take years. Writing speeds up once you know the process, and a deadline, whether contractual or your own, makes a real difference.
Do I need a professional editor for my novel?
Yes, if you want to publish. Self-edit first, then work with an editor who knows your genre, and use beta readers or specialist readers where they help. The book covers the different kinds of editing, how to find and work with an editor, and the editing tools I use.
Next steps
Get the free Author Blueprint
Join my email list and I will send you my Author Blueprint, with the steps on the author journey from idea to published book and beyond, plus my newsletter with tips on writing, publishing and marketing.
Listen to The Creative Penn Podcast
New episodes every Wednesday, wherever you listen to podcasts: interviews and solo shows on writing, publishing, book marketing and making a living with your writing. Browse the podcast.
Watch on YouTube
Tutorials, interviews and full audiobooks of my non-fiction on The Creative Penn channel.
