What works for me is to simply sit down and write. Get that first draft done all the way through without giving up on it. It sounds obvious, but that really is the first step. After that it’s being humble enough to know you’ve not written the perfect novel. Anyone who sits back after their first draft is done and thinks, “this is ready for publication” is kidding themselves, or simply not a true author. Stephen King, J.K. even Hemingway all wrote and rewrote again and again. And probably could go through one of their printed novels and STILL find things they’d like to change.

So, write it, and then rewrite it. That’s my advice. Pretty basic stuff I guess.