By Team Azuni
Writing and publishing your own book is a dream come true. As a new author, you have probably been excited and enthusiastic about writing and publishing your own book. But as you start the process, you may realize that it’s much more difficult than you thought. There are many common obstacles that new authors often face; some are expected, while others may come as a surprise. In this blog post, we’ll talk about the 7 things that new authors usually struggle with and how to overcome them.
- Finding the right idea
Finding the perfect idea for a novel is one of the most critical steps in the writing process. But where do you get inspiration? Many new authors struggle with this issue. Most ideas come from everyday life or personal experience. You can even get inspiration from conversations or social situations. It’s essential to be open to these moments to let your creative side take over.
- Managing your time
Another major issue that new authors face is managing their time. Writing a book requires a considerable amount of time, and it can be tough to balance your writing with other commitments, such as a job or school. The best approach is to schedule specific times out of each day to focus solely on writing. This could mean waking up earlier or writing during lunch breaks—whatever works best for you.
- Writing a strong opening
The opening of your book is incredibly important, as it’s the first impression your reader will have. As a result, a lot of new authors struggle with crafting a strong opening that hooks the reader. Some tips to make your opener strong include starting with a hook or using vivid imagery to draw your reader in.
- Avoiding over-editing
It’s natural to want a perfect manuscript, but it’s also easy to fall into the trap of over-editing. Over-editing can lead to constantly second-guessing yourself and changing the storyline, which ultimately leads to a finished product that may not be as strong. The solution is to give yourself deadlines and stick to them, so that you don’t spend too much time obsessing over sentences that you’ve already written.
- Creating a strong character arc
Characters are the driving force behind most stories, so creating a strong character arc can be a daunting task. It’s essential to give your character a clear motivation, and to create an arc that shows how they grow and change throughout the story. Ensure that they are developed and change realistically as the story unfolds.
- Determining the best POV
The point of view of your story, or POV, can determine how your reader views the story. A lot of new authors struggle with finding the right perspective or tone. One essential tip is to experiment with different POV’s or narrative positions and see which one best fits your story.
- Finding an agent/publisher
Getting your book published is a significant challenge that new authors face. The best way to get it done is to research and compile a list of literary agents suitable for your work. Make sure to hone your pitch materials and submit only to agents who represent your genre. To get noticed, ensure your query letter and your manuscript are well-written and follow the submission guidelines.