How NOT to Write a Novel [Don’t Do This Thing Everyone Does]

In this video, I'm going to show you how NOT to write a novel. I often see beginner authors write books following in the footsteps of acclaimed authors, but this is usually a mistake. I'll share with you my tips for how to write a novel that is unique and stands out from the crowd.

Write your best possible book and have fun doing it… whether you haven’t written a creative word since third grade or have an MFA in Creative Writing.

I’m Mary Adkins, 3x novelist with HarperCollins and novel-writing coach. I’m so glad you found me!

Find the resources I mention in my videos here:

+ Learn my Four Notebooks Method & get your free template:

+ Join my next free challenge & start your book with me:

+ For a limited time, get my FREE storyboard template for your novel here:

+ Ready to write your dream book? Apply for my program the Book Incubator:

Or check out my novels:

Privilege
When You Read This
Palm Beach

Video Breakdown
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0:00 How NOT to Write a Novel
1:31 Reading between the lines of lessons
2:12 Guidelines are diagnostic, not prescriptive
2:37 A quote from Ernest Hemingway
2:45 Analogy of online dating
4:48 Join my next FREE challenge!
5:14 What does it look like to live in the story
7:36 Get your FREE digital template!

Check Out Our Other Videos:
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Mary also has a popular podcast for aspiring authors:

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[rosieradcliffe]

It took me SO long to figure out that what I needed to do was just get a first draft down any way that worked, and only THEN comes the craft of shaping and revising it into something that works. I get it now but wish I'd heard it from you sooner!!

[flyfitfarm]

That makes absolute sense! Thank you for the reminder.

[laluenbaires]

Oh my God, I needed to hear this because I'm watching all this videos about how to do things and yeah, I definitely just have to get into the story first, not the structures and techniques. Thank you!

[EmmaBennetAuthor]

Writing is definitely not always a smooth process, even when it's going well!

[margarethutchens]

I don't see the 30, 000 words in 30 minutes link. I'm curious how you do that because I can't even talk that fast. I'm not even sure I talked that fast when I was on a debate team!