Writing Tips: How to start a new writing project

It can be daunting trying to start a new writing project, so here are some writing tips to help you get started crafting characters and plotlines.

To kick off the new year, I'm starting 2026 with a new writing project for my undergraduate degree. As a Creative Writing student, I often find myself with multiple stories and creative pieces on the go.

However, this year marks the start of a new project. I'm very excited to delve into my new work-in-progress, but at the same time, it is rather daunting.

I'm not an established author, and I'm no expert. But I thought I'd share some of my tips for starting a new writing project in case any budding writers are reading this blog post.

Use a fresh notebook

One of the best tools for starting a new writing project is having a fresh, empty notebook. Not one that you've already started but only used a few pages of, but a clean, new notebook.

This way, you'll have a dedicated space to jot down notes, write out any thoughts that pop into your head, and somewhere to brainstorm. It means all your ideas will be in one place and, therefore, will be easier to navigate.

I find that if I write the working title of the project on the front page, it sets me up nicely to fill the rest of the notebook. It doesn't have to be the neatest or most organised notebook, so long as you can make sense of what you write.

Choose what excites you

There is nothing worse than having to write something that just does not interest or excite you. If you're not passionate about what you are working on, it shows in the work you produce.

So, remember to choose what excites you. It can be fiction or non-fiction or poetry; if you're writing a novel, choose a genre that interests you, not one you think others will want to read.

By writing something that you are passionate about, you will have more fun writing it, and the easier the story will come to life for you.

Create a research list

For my current work-in-progress, I'm having to do a lot of research (for writing purposes, but also for a critical review). Because of this, I've got a whole new notebook for research notes, and have made a list of different novels and websites I want to read.

Having a list of topics I need to research and what sources I can use for my research is making it so much easier, so when it comes to it, I'm not left floundering and trying to search for ages on Google.

Instead, I have what I need and can spend my time actually researching and taking notes.

So, if you've got particular things you need to look up, then making a list on a post-it note can help specify your research and make the most of your time.

Craft character profiles

If you're writing fiction, characters are the lifeblood of the story. They inhabit the world you create, journey through the plot you've imagined and immerse the reader in the story.

When you are starting a new writing project, if you do not know your characters or if you do not understand them fully, it will make it more difficult for you to progress naturally and consistently.

One tip I find helpful for tackling this is to craft character profiles of the protagonists. Now, I'm not just talking about their name, age, what they look like and a bit about their personality.

I mean, going in-depth to fully flesh out who they are as people. What was their childhood like? Do they have any secrets or regrets? How do they walk, talk and interact with others? What are their goals and ambitions?

Having a character profile can make it easier when you're writing, especially if it's a first-person narrative, because it allows you to get inside the character's head and bring them to life more easily.

Draft all aspects

'Draft all aspects' follows on nicely from character profiles. What I mean by this tip is that in preparation for starting to write, if you draft all aspects, you'll have an easier time letting the story flow from your fingertips onto the page.

The things you can draft include character profiles, a plot outline, key events in the story, notable interactions between characters and descriptions of settings in your world.

By having a rough outline of all these things, it'll make it more fun to get into the crux of your story and begin writing.

Write, write, write

My final tip is one I've learnt over the past year of studying and writing, and it's one that I sometimes do struggle with still.

Write, write, write, means what it says.

It does you no good if you sit and procrastinate. It also doesn't help if you write a bit, then edit, then write another section and edit.

To start a new writing project, you have to be willing to sit down and write, write, write. Don't try to edit as you go because I guarantee it'll take you longer to get to a finished product.

Sure, you can edit if you've noticed a word spelt wrong, or if there's a slight description you actually think would be better if you changed it. But save the big amounts of editing for when you've reached a full draft.

These tips are all ones that helped me get to the end of my manuscript last year. I set aside time each week and just wrote as much as I could, following my plot outline and character profiles, and by the end of the year, I had 100,000 words of a complete novel (without editing).

So, if you're looking to start a new writing project, I hope these tips can help you kickstart it. If you're a writer or have any tips of your own, feel free to share them below.

Until next time...