The idea of writing a novel can be intimidating, especially if you've never done it before. This is why most people who have a desire to write a novel never actually take the plunge and do it ... the effort simply appears too overwhelming.

However, it doesn't need to be overwhelming. You just need to take it one step at a time. And the first step is agreeing to allow yourself to make mistakes and be imperfect. One of the great advantages of novel writing is that no one has to see it until you're ready for them to see it. So begin your journey with the understanding that it's going to be an adventure, that you're going to make mistakes, and that it's all right to make mistakes because you can always clean things up later.

So how do you get started?

If you don't already have a story in mind, then the first step is to develop a foundational concept for your novel. Ideas are everywhere. If you're really starting from scratch, try reading newspapers, novels by your favorite authors, short stories, science magazines, etc. Most novel ideas spring from other ideas. You'll find as you're reading that questions begin to spring to mind. These are usually WHAT IF questions, and they indicate that you're both interested in the topic you're reading and you can see the possibility of exploring it in a different manner.

Your goal in seeking out a basic premise for your novel is to find something that excites you and that you can easily state in a single sentence. For example:

A young, self-centered woman with an addictive personality must find a way to adapt when she becomes parent to her nine-year-old niece.

An ordinary, nerdy, often picked-on high school student wakes up one morning to discover he can move objects with his mind.

A super-mom, who dedicates every waking moment of her life to her five children, discovers that her husband has lost all their money gambling and she must suddenly find a way to support the children as well as nurture them.

So when you encounter an article or a sentence or a story that suddenly has you getting jazzed with enthusiasm, run with it. Start writing down everything that comes to mind. Possible characters. Possible scenes. Possible endings. Whatever springs into your head. Simply allow yourself to freely explore the concept.

You aren't committing to anything at this point. Your enthusiasm may burn out after you spend a few minutes in the process. If so, toss it out and keep looking. Or you may discover that the story idea simply doesn't go anyway. That's okay, too. There is no shortage of ideas. Be as picky as you want (as long as you don't use it as an excuse to never start writing).

Keep going through this process until you're able to refine your idea into a simple sentence that has you excited about the potential of your story idea.