Novel Writing Guide – Writing a Book From Concept to Completion

Today I'm sharing with you my basic guide to writing a novel from start to finish. We'll be talking about everything from brainstorming and outlining, to working with beta readers, hiring an editor, and preparing to self-publish your book! If you've always dreamed of writing a novel, but didn't know where to start, this is the video for you! I'll be sharing some of my favorite writing tips and author resources that I've discovered during my own writing process, as I've written multiple novels in a handful of genres.

Links mentioned:
My Novel Outline Planner:
Save the Cat Writes a Novel:
Romancing the Beat:
My Writing Planner:
2026 Writing Planner (color edition):
2026 Writing Planner (black and white edition):
2026 Writing Planner (printable):

Video Links:
My self-editing process:
How I work with beta readers:
Developmental editing checklist:
Do you need to hire an editor:
My proofreading process:
Self-Publishing Guide Playlist: –

In this video:
0:00 – Intro
1:16 – Brainstorming & Outline
3:25 – First Draft
6:10 – Self-Edits
7:26 – Beta Readers
9:44 – Final Self-Edits
10:30 – Professional Edits
11:48 – Proofreading
13:04 – Publish the Book

→Book Cover Design Courses:
→Book Formatting Course (print & ebook formatting):
→Writing Stickers:
→Merch & signed books:
→Newsletter:

PLANNERS – – – – – – – – – –
→My Writing Planner:
→My Novel Outline Planner:
→My Book Launch Planner:
→2025 Writing Planner (paperback):
→2025 Writing Planner (printable):

NON-FICTION BOOKS – – – – – – – – – –
→How Your Book Sells Itself:
→Grow Your Author Platform:
→Book Sales That Multiply:
→Secrets to Selling Books on Social Media:
→Plan a Profitable Book Launch:

FICTION BOOKS – – – – – – – – – –
→Read a free book, Change of Flight:
→Meet Me at the Summit:
→Let the Rubble Fall:
→The Trail to You & Me:
→Essence:
→I am Mercy:
→She's Not Here:
→Mr. Moon's Big Move:

FIND ME ONLINE- – – – – – – – – –
Content for writers: @mandilynnwrites
Content for readers: @authormandilynnbell

MY FAVORITE TOOLS- – – – – – – – – –
→Find KDP keywords and categories, PublisherRocket:
→eBook Formatting, Kotobee Author:
→Social media graphics, Canva:
→Music in videos, Epidemic Sound:
→Email software, Kit:

Mandi Lynn published her first novel when she was seventeen. The author of multiple books, Mandi spends her days continuing to write and creating YouTube videos to help other writers achieve their dreams of seeing their books published. Mandi is the owner of Stone Ridge Books, a company that works to help authors bring their books to life through cover design and digital book marketing. She is also the creator of The Book Launch Planner, a planner designed to help authors publish and market their books. When she’s not creating, you can find Mandi exploring her backyard or getting lost in the woods.

DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links. By purchasing a linked product or service, Mandi Lynn will receive a small commission at no additional fee to you.

Title:
Novel Writing Guide – From Concept to Completion
Search terms: novel writing guide, how to write a novel, how to write a book