Introduction
Writing a novel is an exciting journey that can sometimes feel overwhelming. Whether you’re embarking on your first book or you’re a seasoned author, having a structured approach can help transform your creative vision into reality. This comprehensive checklist serves as your roadmap through the entire novel-writing process, from initial concept to final publication.
How to Use This Checklist
This guide is designed to be flexible and adaptable to your unique writing process. You don’t need to complete every item in strict order – instead, think of it as a master reference to ensure you’re not missing any crucial steps. Here’s how to make the most of it:
- Start Where You Need It: While the checklist follows a logical progression, feel free to jump to the section most relevant to your current stage.
- Customize Your Process: Not every item will apply to every project. Use what works for you and adapt the rest to fit your needs.
- Track Your Progress: Consider copying this checklist to your preferred project management tool and checking off items as you complete them.
- Choose Your Tools Wisely: We’ve included links to various tools and resources for each stage. Don’t feel pressured to use them all – pick the ones that enhance your writing process rather than complicate it.
- Return as Needed: Keep this checklist handy throughout your writing journey. Different sections will become relevant at different times.
Remember: Writing a novel is a marathon, not a sprint. This checklist is here to support your journey, not to add pressure or rigid structure to your creative process.
Pre-Writing Phase
Story Foundation
- Define your core story idea/premise
- Identify the main conflict or central problem
- Determine the genre and target audience
- Establish the story’s theme(s)
- Choose the point of view (POV) and tense
- Decide on the overall tone and mood
Helpful Tools:
- Brainstorming Software
- Mindmeister: https://www.mindmeister.com
- XMind: https://www.xmind.net
- Miro: https://miro.com
- Story Structure
- Save the Cat! Novel Writing Software: https://savethecat.com/novel-writing-software
- One Stop for Writers: https://onestopforwriters.com
- Writing Prompts
- Reddit Writing Prompts: https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts
- Reedsy Prompts: https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts
World Building
- Create the story’s setting and time period
- Define the rules of your world (especially for fantasy/sci-fi)
- Map out important locations
- Establish societal structures and customs
- Research necessary historical or technical details
Helpful Tools:
- World Building Platforms
- World Anvil: https://www.worldanvil.com
- Campfire Blaze: https://www.campfirewriting.com/write
- Map Creation
- Inkarnate: https://inkarnate.com
- Wonderdraft: https://www.wonderdraft.net
- Research Resources
- Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com
- JSTOR: https://www.jstor.org
- Internet Archive: https://archive.org
- Timeline Creation
- Aeon Timeline: https://timeline.app
- TimelineMaker: https://www.timelinemaker.com
Character Development
- Create detailed profiles for main characters
- Physical appearance
- Personality traits
- Background/history
- Goals and motivations
- Fears and weaknesses
- Develop character arcs
- Define relationships between characters
- Create profiles for supporting characters
- Design antagonist(s) with clear motivations
Helpful Tools:
- Character Creation
- Charahub: https://charahub.com
- Artbreeder: https://www.artbreeder.com
- One Stop for Writers’ Character Builder: https://onestopforwriters.com
- Name Generation
- Behind the Name: https://www.behindthename.com
- Fantasy Name Generators: https://www.fantasynamegenerators.com
- Relationship Mapping
- Twine: https://twinery.org
- Draw.io: https://app.diagrams.net
Plot Planning
- Outline the basic plot structure
- Identify major plot points
- Inciting incident
- Key conflicts
- Climax
- Resolution
- Plan subplots and how they connect
- Create a timeline of events
- Identify potential plot holes
- Plan chapter breakdown
Helpful Tools:
- Plotting Software
- Plottr: https://plottr.com
- Scrivener: https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener
- Outlining Tools
- Workflowy: https://workflowy.com
- OmniOutliner: https://www.omnigroup.com/omnioutliner
- Visual Planning
- Trello: https://trello.com
- Notion: https://www.notion.so
Writing Phase
First Draft
- Set up a writing schedule
- Create a comfortable writing space
- Set daily/weekly word count goals
- Write the opening chapter
- Complete rough draft without heavy editing
- Keep a style guide for consistency
- Track plot threads and character arcs
- Note areas needing research or revision
Helpful Tools:
- Writing Software
- Scrivener: https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener
- Ulysses: https://ulysses.app
- Distraction Blockers
- Freedom: https://freedom.to
- Cold Turkey: https://getcoldturkey.com
- Progress Tracking
- NaNoWriMo Word Counter: https://nanowrimo.org
- Pacemaker: https://pacemaker.press
- Cloud Backup
- Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com
- Google Drive: https://drive.google.com
Technical Elements
- Maintain consistent POV
- Balance dialogue and narrative
- Include sensory details
- Vary sentence structure
- Use strong verbs
- Show don’t tell where appropriate
- Maintain consistent tense
- Check pacing
Helpful Tools:
- Style and Grammar Checkers
- ProWritingAid: https://prowritingaid.com
- Hemingway Editor: https://hemingwayapp.com
- Grammarly Premium: https://www.grammarly.com
- Reference Tools
- Power Thesaurus: https://www.powerthesaurus.org
- Wordnik: https://www.wordnik.com
- Readability Analysis
- Readable: https://readable.com
Revision Phase
First Pass
- Let manuscript rest before editing
- Read entire manuscript
- Check plot consistency
- Verify character consistency
- Ensure proper story structure
- Address plot holes
- Strengthen character arcs
- Check pacing issues
Helpful Tools:
- Editing Software
- AutoCrit: https://www.autocrit.com
- Fictionary: https://fictionary.co
- Note-Taking
- Evernote: https://evernote.com
- OneNote: https://www.onenote.com
- Text-to-Speech
- Natural Reader: https://www.naturalreaders.com
- Voice Dream Reader: https://www.voicedream.com
Second Pass & Technical Edit
- Tighten prose
- Remove unnecessary scenes
- Strengthen dialogue
- Add/enhance descriptions
- Check transitions
- Verify timeline consistency
- Check grammar and punctuation
- Format properly
Helpful Tools:
- Editing Tools
- PerfectIt: https://intelligentediting.com
- EditMinion: http://editminion.com
- Word Analysis
- WriteWords: http://www.writewords.org.uk
- Formatting
- Vellum: https://vellum.pub
- Style Guides
- Chicago Manual of Style: https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org
Final Preparation & Publishing
Beta Reading & Polish
- Select beta readers
- Collect and analyze feedback
- Make final revisions
- Write synopsis and blurb
- Prepare query materials (if traditional publishing)
Helpful Tools:
- Beta Reading Platforms
- BetaBooks: https://betabooks.co
- Critique Circle: https://www.critiquecircle.com
- Query Resources
- QueryTracker: https://querytracker.net
- Manuscript Wishlist: https://www.manuscriptwishlist.com
Professional Services & Publication
- Find editors and proofreaders
- Get cover design
- Format for publication
- Choose publishing path
- Set up marketing plan
Helpful Tools:
- Professional Services
- Reedsy: https://reedsy.com
- Editorial Freelancers Association: https://www.the-efa.org
- Publishing Platforms
- KDP: https://kdp.amazon.com
- IngramSpark: https://www.ingramspark.com
- Draft2Digital: https://draft2digital.com
- Marketing
- BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com
- Book Funnel: https://bookfunnel.com
- MailerLite: https://www.mailerlite.com