The Step Up Method: How I Became an Author Without Writing a Novel First

One of the most common pieces of writing advice is simple:

“Just write a novel.”

I disagree.

Not because writing a novel is a bad goal. Most writers dream of publishing one. The problem is that a novel requires a huge collection of skills that many new writers have never had a chance to develop.

Imagine deciding you want to run a marathon tomorrow despite never running a mile. It is technically possible, but it probably will not end well.

Writing works the same way.

When I started writing, I did not begin with a novel. I started small and gradually increased the scope of my projects. Looking back, I call this approach The Step Up Method.

Step One: Write Short Stories

Short stories teach the fundamentals of storytelling.

You learn how to create characters, establish conflict, build tension, and reach a satisfying conclusion. Most importantly, you learn how to finish what you start.

That last skill is often overlooked.

Many aspiring writers have dozens of unfinished novels on their computers. Finishing a story, even a short one, teaches discipline and gives you experience with the complete writing process.

A 2,000-word story may not seem impressive, but a finished story teaches more than 50 pages of an unfinished novel.

Step Two: Move to Longer Works

Once you can consistently complete short stories, increase the challenge.

Write longer stories. Experiment with connected plots. Try managing larger casts of characters and more complicated settings.

For me, this eventually led to writing a novella.

A novella introduces many of the challenges of novel writing without requiring a 100,000-word commitment. You begin learning pacing, character development, and plot structure on a larger scale while keeping the project manageable.

Step Three: Write a Novel

By the time I wrote The Infinite Man, I had already completed numerous short stories and a novella.

I was not learning how to write from scratch anymore.

I was applying skills I had already practiced.

I understood how to finish projects. I understood story structure. I understood revision and editing. The novel was still challenging, but it was not overwhelming.

Instead of climbing a mountain on my first day, I had spent years hiking increasingly difficult trails.

Why The Step Up Method Works

The Step Up Method focuses on skill development instead of ambition.

Many writers measure progress by word count. I think a better measure is completed projects.

Every finished story teaches something.

Every completed manuscript reveals weaknesses you can improve.

Every revision makes you a stronger writer.

The goal is not to avoid writing a novel forever. The goal is to prepare yourself so that when you finally write one, you have the tools needed to succeed.

My Journey

My own path looked something like this:

Short Stories → Curious Tales of a Warped Reality → June Day → The Infinite Man

Each project taught me something new.

Each project was slightly more ambitious than the one before it.

Most importantly, each project was completed.

That is the heart of The Step Up Method.

Do not focus on writing the biggest thing you can imagine.

Focus on writing the next thing you can finish.

Then step up.