Step 1: Lay the foundation for your novel
Now it gets unpleasant:
Lower your expectations.
Yes, you read that right.
Accept that your first book will not be a masterpiece. It might even be terrible. The main thing is that you finish it. Because then you know that you can write a book and that the next book will bring you closer to the masterpiece.
Writing novels is not a rocket launch, but a algeria telegram screening mountain hike.
George RR Martin wrote “Game of Thrones” at the age of 48. Before that, he had more than 20 years of writing experience.
20 years!
This makes one thing clear: writing novels is not a sprint. It is a lifestyle.
And as Hemingway said:
“The first draft always sucks.”
That doesn't mean you should deliberately write crap. But you should accept that it won't work on the first try.