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AI Novel Writing for Beginners (2025): How to Utilize AI to Write Your First Book

AI Novel Writing for Beginners (2025): How to Utilize AI to Write Your First Book
July 6, 2025
25 min read
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Midgen.ai

How to Use AI to Make Creative Writing More Powerful

Imagine a world where AI is not just a plotting device, but your writing partner, Helping you to bring your ideas to life. This vision is becoming a reality for both new and experienced writers in 2025. AI book writing is revolutionizing the way people write novels, from sparking ideas to editing and world-building. An AI book writer could be your new best friend, especially if you've ever struggled to start your first book, felt daunted by the scale of a novel, or wished for a partner who could brainstorm on demand.

The Benefits of Using AI Tools for New Writers

AI Makes You More Creative

AI isn't meant to take the place of your imagination; it's intended to make it stronger. Modern AI writing tools can quickly combine, rephrase, and suggest new creative ideas by analyzing patterns and stories from vast digital literary collections. Reedsy conducted a poll in 2024 and found that 62% of writers who used AI tools to write novels reported that they were more creative and could break away from tired clichés than when they wrote without AI assistance.

Better Writing Speed

Even writers who are passionate about their work often struggle with managing their time. AI platforms have significantly boosted productivity rates. While a regular person can write 300 to 500 words per hour, the best tools can produce 2,000 to 3,000 words per hour. Thanks to a combination of human work and AI drafting, 71% of AI-assisted writers were able to complete the 50,000-word challenge for National Novel Writing Month on schedule (Source: NaNoWriMo Community Survey, 2024).

Get Over Writer's Block

Writer's block is a well-known obstacle that causes 80% of aspiring authors to abandon their writing. A 2023 Writer's Digest poll found that 59% of participants started using AI to help them overcome creative blocks. AI book writing software provides prompts, dialogue seeds, and chapter continuations, making it easier to continue your work without fear.

Original Ideas and Strong World-building

AI generates entirely original world-building and concept development by comparing data from diverse cultures, genres, and historical narratives. This variety can make your narrative stand out in a congested literary market, making it a handy tool for fantasy and science fiction writers.

Strong Research Skills

AI novel writing tools can quickly gather and combine useful information from large databases. This makes it easy for writers to add accurate details, historical context, or scientific data to their work without having to spend hours conducting research manually.

Chatting with characters and plots

As an author, you can build the environment in the editor. By creating characters, elements, and the plot at any critical moment, you can talk with your characters, like how your hero is feeling about the problem. Only a few tools have already implemented it, and a few more are developing this chat feature. It's fun as an author to be able to talk with your characters.

Assist with writing that is customized to you.

Many AI platforms identify a writer's style and preferences, providing personalized ideas that enhance flow and clarity while maintaining their unique voice.

Translation for a Global Audience

AI can assist authors in equating their work or composing in more than one language, making it easier for them to connect with people worldwide and tell stories that transcend cultures.

Collaborative Idea Generation

AI is one of the most valuable sources for finding a partner to collaborate with in your brainstorming process, reviewing characterizations, or creating dialogue. In cases where a human company is out of reach, such a companion can provide a new direction of thought.

Accelerated Skill Development

Writers can be actively involved in using AI-generated feedback and suggestions to occasionally learn new things, such as improving their grammar and delving deeper into their storytelling skills. Therefore, the transition to a successful author's status is accomplished much faster than through any other means.

Streamlined Formatting and Publishing

AI tools can be invaluable in reducing the time spent on formatting manuscripts to a level that meets industry standards or preparing files for self-publishing platforms, making them an excellent idea for new authors about to embark on the publication journey.

A Comprehensive Guide to Crafting Your Debut Novel with the Help of AI

Are you ready to take your idea from concept to manuscript? This is a simple plan for writing a novel with AI:

Step 1: Figure out what kind of story you want to tell and what your goal is.

Being clear is very important. Pick a genre, like romance, sci-fi, thriller, or historical fiction, and then create a target that you can measure, like "Finish a 70,000-word fantasy novel in four months." Specificity helps you stay on track and gives the AI ideas.

Step 2: Pick the AI writing platform you want to use

Since 2020, the market for AI-generated fiction authors has experienced significant growth. Select a platform that aligns with your genre and workflow. Most major tools, such as midgen.ai, allow you to try them out for free and see what they can do.

Step 3: Enter Your Story Ideas

Your prompts affect what AI does. Give a premise, a first scene, or essential characters. For example, "A botanist who travels through time solves a big mystery in Renaissance Florence." Rich, particular inputs lead to interesting, customized results.

Step 4: Make and organize content

Let AI write scenes, plot twists, or conversations. Choose what works, change what almost works, and throw away what doesn't fit. Think of AI as your creative partner, not the primary author.

Step 5: Add more, modify as needed, and continually improve.

You can switch between entering your prompts and reviewing the AI-generated content. You can also utilize built-in editing tools to add your style, adjust the pacing, and make it truly shine.

Step 6: Add characters and elements to the story.

Some tools support the characters and elements system in the novel writer editor. While growing your plot, also create the elements and characters. The benefits of this are that when you ask AI to continue your story, it will have a better understanding of that topic and environment. It will help you to get better results.

Step 7: Ask People for Their Thoughts

AI can't provide you with the same level of detail as a human beta reader or editor. Once you've finished your draft, gather comments from friends, critique groups, or professional editors to help you refine it into its best possible form.

The Best AI Tools and Platforms for Budding Novelists

1. Scrivener

Website: literatureandlatte.com

Description: A powerful writing tool designed for long-form writing, introducing document organization, research integration, and disturbance-free modes. It is a tool favored mainly by novelists and screenwriters.

Rating: 3/5

Writing Experience: 2/5

Pros:

Unlimited Organization: The most prominent feature of Scrivener is its ability to divide your manuscript into smaller, easily manageable pieces. You can effortlessly take scenes, chapters, or even entire parts and relocate them, making the work of restructuring a breeze.

Complete Research Integration: Your research, including websites, images, PDFs, and notes, can be integrated alongside your manuscript. This is highly beneficial for deep and broad descriptions of the world or novels built from thorough research.

Personalized Interface: Scrivener is a highly customizable tool that allows you to tailor the workspace to your personal needs and habits.

One-time Purchase: Scrivener is a one-time purchase product, unlike most new apps, and is an investment for an extended period.

2. NovelPad

Website: novelpad.co

Description: A chapter-oriented modern writing tool with character tracking, timeline management, and progress analytics. Intended for rapid drafting and organization.

Rating: 4/5

Writing Experience: 2/5

Pros:

Clear and Contemporary Design: NovelPad boasts a new and intuitive interface that offers writers a comfortable writing environment.

Chapter-derived Focus: If your primary aim is to present your work traditionally, NovelPad's framework is an asset for you.

Features for monitoring, such as inventory tracking, managing the timeline, and keeping track of progress, can all help you stay on top of your story's elements and writing goals.

Cloud-based: You will automatically save online, and it's easier for you to access it from anywhere.

3. Campfire Write

Website: campfirewriting.com

Description: World-building and novel-writing software with characters, plotlines, magic systems, etc., in the form of modules. Recommended primarily for writers of fantasy and/or sci-fi types of books.

Rating: 4.5/5 (Based on user reviews)

Writing Experience: 4/5 (Intuitive and transparent system for complex stories)

Pros:

Outstanding World Building: Campfire Write presents a diverse range of perspectives on creating superstructured worlds in literary texts. The presence of a module platform enables a massive amount of detail in various fields, including characters, locations, magic systems, species, cultures, items, and many other aspects.

Features for a Collaborative Process: Co-authors and critique partners can leverage the collaboration.

Reasonable Prices: Buying separate modules or even just the cases of a full suite subscription can enable flexible and straightforward payments, ensuring that customers pay only for what they need.

Online and Offline Access: The functional facility is provided in both online and offline conditions without any hassles.

Graphical Plotting: This tool's features include timelines and a relationship manager, which are highly recommended for their visual design.

4. Dabble

Website: dabblewriter.com

Description: A cloud-based writing software that uses the plot's grid, story's notes, and guarantees efficiency and cost savings through the use of the automatic backup system is employed.

Rating: 4.5/5 (Highly recommended for its ease of use)

Writing Experience: 4.5/5 (Appreciated due to its minimalist platform)

Pros:

User-Friendly & Intuitive: People love Dabble because it implements and maintains a clear and uncluttered environment, lowering the learning threshold to a minimum.

Excellent Plot Grid: The setup of plots is a wonderful medium for handling the story structure of a show or movie.

Automatic Cloud Backup: All your work is stored in the cloud, and it's available in real-time, so you don't even have to think about saving it. In this way, you can forget about the fear of losing your files and access them from your electronic gadgets whenever you want.

Distraction-Free Mode: This is characterized by elements such as "focus mode" that assist the writer in staying focused on their words without deviating from them.

Built-in Goal Setting: It motivates writers by highlighting the benefits of tracking the words written and the progress made toward project completion.

5. LivingWriter

Website: livingwriter.com

Description: It is a writing app that allows for more structured writing and comes with pre-designed story templates (such as Hero's Journey, Snowflake Method) as well as the ability to collaborate in real-time.

Rating: 3.5/5 (A combination of reviews, some of which refer to bugs)

Writing Experience: 3.5/5 (The software is popular due to guided templates, but the high number of bug reports reported affects the impression)

Pros:

Pre-Built Story Templates: This feature is also popular among writers who prefer to follow already established storylines. The program is capable of guiding the writer by providing a set structure, and this has become one of the best-selling.

Real-time Collaboration: Writers working together are the primary beneficiaries of the real-time collaboration feature, and they can receive instant feedback from editors who are simultaneously working on their script.

Cloud-Based with Auto-Save: This feature guarantees that writers' work is safe and always available on any device.

Good Interface: A clean layout usually refers to an uncluttered, easy-to-use, and user-friendly interface.

Elements of the Story Functionality: The feature film stored keeps you informed of the people, locations, and the chronology of your work.

6. Atticus

Website: atticus.io

Description: A writing and formatting tool for authors that works on all platforms and can be used to write, format, and publish books (Vellum's competitor).

Rating: 4.5/5 (The program is highly recommended for its formatting abilities)

Writing Experience: 4/5 (The tool is suitable for writing and excellent for formatting)

Pros:

Integrated Writing & Formatting: Atticus is an effective marketing tool as it combines both author and professional book formatting into one platform, making it a direct competitor to Vellum.

Cross-Platform: Available for multiple operating systems (Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS), and being cloud-based is a significant advantage.

User-Friendly Formatting: It is built in such a way that you can do professional book formatting even if you are not a designer.

One-time Purchase: Offers a chance to buy a lifelong license, eliminating subscription costs.

Goal Tracking & Habits: Among its features are those that monitor your writing habits and allow you to set goals.

7. Bibisco

Website: bibisco.com

Description: A software to create novels that is open-source and includes the tools for building characters, the clarity of chapter organization, and the development of characters and chapters of the story through various analytical tools.

Rating: 3.5/5 (Great to be open-source; however, it was still kind of rough around the edges)

Writing Experience: 3/5 (Practical approach, but the complete feel of a paid app might be missing)

Pros:

Completely Free and Open-Source: The primary advantage of this software is that it is free and continually updated by a dedicated team.

Character Development Focus: A good set of tools for creating convincing heroes and villains.

Chapter Organization: A step-by-step approach to lay out the content of your book.

Privacy: With data stored on your computer through the use of local software, you can be assured that your data is secure and accessible only to you, thereby ensuring confidentiality.

8. Ulysses

Website: ulysses.app

Description: A writer-focused, Markdown-friendly app with a stylish and attractive UI that comes with excellent document management and no distracting features for both Mac and iOS users.

Rating: 4/5 (Apple's user rating is very high)

Writing Experience: 4.5/5 (The best you can have for focused, free-of-any-distraction, and enjoyable writing)

Pros:

Beautiful and Minimalist Design: Ulysses has become a well-known brand for its simple, graceful, and uncluttered interface, which helps authors focus on the task at hand.

Markdown Support: The best fit for those who are experts in the Markdown language and who need an easy way to format quickly.

Seamless Syncing (Apple Ecosystem): A great system that allows you to easily move your data from Mac to iPad and iPhone, all of which use iCloud.

Powerful Document Management: It offers plenty of shelves, so to speak, to keep all your writing projects well-organized and without you needing to remember where every piece is.

Export Options: This feature enables you to perform traditional document export tasks in various digital formats, including PDF, ePUB, HTML, and more.

9. ProWritingAid

Website: prowritingaid.com

Description: An advanced writing tool that is also compatible with some writing software for more comprehensive grammar verification, style improvement recommendations, and reading precision evaluation.

Rating: 4.5/5 (Really very effective as a tool for editing)

Writing Experience: Grammarly is not strictly a writing app, but it makes the editing phase considerably easier.

Pros:

Complex Grammar & Style Checks: Grammarly is a powerful tool that focuses not only on basic grammar rules but also addresses other aspects, such as the passive voice, phrases that have become clichés, and the coherence of the text.

Readability Reports: It makes readable prose easy to analyze, which is crucial for capturing the attention of a broader audience.

Integrations: Partnerships with all major writing programs like Scrivener, Google Docs, and MS Word to enable easy and quick interaction.

Genre-Specific Suggestions: The system is designed in such a way that it can suggest to you the modifications that would fit best in your writing style by careful studying of your chosen genre's features.

10. Plottr

Website: plottr.com

Description: A visualization tool that represents the plot for the authors through the timeline, scene formation, and the story characters and plotline development.

Rating: 4.5/5 (Very good in the visual plot category)

Writing Experience: N/A (Only for plotting and not for writing)

Pros:

Highly Visual Plotting: Its main feature is an intuitive graphic interface that ensures the story, characters, and timelines are visually mastered in an instant.

Intuitive Drag-and-Drop: Scenes, chapters, and plot points can be easily rearranged using a drag-and-drop method.

Character and Location Integration: For a comprehensive view, it enables the connection of plot elements to characters and locations.

Pre-Built Templates: It has a list of templates based on the most famous story structures to guide your plotting.

Syncs with Scrivener: You can use Plottr to plot your story and then write in Scrivener; this way, it syncs with Scrivener.

11. Squibler

Website: squibler.io

Description: AI-powered writing app equipped with goal tracking, full-screen working mode, and project compartmentalisation for writers of novels.

Rating: 3/5 (Enhanced with AI technology; user reviews are mixed.)

Writing Experience: 3.5/5 (The AI feature can be advantageous to one group and at the same time, a weakness to another.)

Pros:

AI-Assisted Writing: Provides tools that can be helpful with tasks such as generating initial ideas, brainstorming topics, and even writing parts of the text (text editing is often required in these instances).

Goal Tracking: Assists writers in finding inspiration and encourages them to meet their word count goals.

Distraction-Free Mode: Supplying a simple writing setting for more concentration.

Project Organization: Elementary tools for arranging your novel's elements.

How to Get Past Common Problems When Writing Novels with AI

AI makes writing easier and more creative, but it also brings its own set of problems:

Keeping Your Voice and Originality

AI typically uses patterns it has learnt, which might lead to phrases that are too general or too similar. Always add your point of view and rewrite parts to make them sound more relatable to real life.

Repeating Content

AI might accidentally repeat the same things or reuse the same ideas. Check your outputs often and use the "regenerate" or "remix" functions to add variety.

Limits on Long-Term Story Arcs

AI is typically most effective for shorter pieces. Use mind maps, beat sheets, or visual charting tools to keep track of big-picture arcs and foreshadowing. Some tools provide a plot canvas, where you can drag and drop the plot to better understand where your story is now and what will come next.

Possible Data Bias

AI utilises previous media to revive outdated concepts and perpetuate biased stereotypes. Always carefully review AI-generated content, especially if it concerns culture or ethics.

Too much reliance

AI is a great helper, but you have to be innovative to grow. Use AI to help you write, but don't forget to have people read your work and improve your writing skills.

Preservation of Emotional Depth

An AI often lacks the strong emotional content and emotional subtlety that human-generated text possesses. To make your writing more emotional, consider incorporating personal revelations and reflections that resonate with your audience. It is also possible to enhance AI-generated output so that it becomes more emotionally engaging, and the relationships between characters become more profound.

Controlling Character Consistency

As a result of its ability to create unintended changes, the influence of AI on the actions and dialogue of characters in various scenes is evident. Creating detailed profiles for characters and consulting them regularly is a good way to maintain consistency in the characters' behavior throughout your book or novel.

Avoiding Generic or Over-Polished Language

AI-generated text can often feel generic or too polished, losing the distinct quirks of your composing style. Deliberately include flaws, stylistic choices, and distinct phrasing to preserve credibility.

Handling Complex or Unusual Plot Aspects

AI might fight with non-traditional or extremely complex narrative structures. However, break down larger plot points into smaller portions and assist the AI with clear prompts to better align outputs with your goals.

When using AI-generated content, be mindful of copyright and intellectual property issues. Verify originality and avoid unintentional plagiarism by cross-checking AI suggestions against existing works.

How to Get the Most Out of AI in Your Writing Process?

Are you ready to do your finest work? Use these innovative ideas:

Don't think of AI as an authority; think of it as a co-author.

Use AI suggestions as starting points for your thoughts, rather than relying on ready-made answers. Ask questions, consider "what if" scenarios, and more.

Use More Than One AI Tool

Utilise multiple platforms for distinct stages of the writing process: one for brainstorming, another for drafting, and a third for editing. This will help you maximize your strengths and address your weaknesses.

Accept the Rewrite

Don't be scared to make significant changes to AI-generated results. Combining AI drafts with your significant changes or rearrangements often leads to the best passages.

Make Your Prompts Personal

Make prompts that are clear and specific. Instead of "Start a romance scene," say, "Write a tense first meeting between a rebellious pastry chef and a by-the-book health inspector in a Paris bakery."

Stay up-to-date with the latest developments.

The world of AI changes quickly. Sign up for platforms like midgen.ai to get updates, new features, and information about the writing community.

AI novels are making waves in the real world.

The AI-powered fiction movement isn't just a theory; it's changing the way we write today:

Jennifer Lepp utilized Sudowrite to write cozy mysteries in 2022, and her writing speed went up by 40%.

By the end of 2023, players of "AI Dungeon" had written more than 350,000 serial stories together. This demonstrates the power of community-driven, AI-generated fiction.

Critics loved Robin Sloan's 2023 sci-fi novel "Moonbound," which he wrote with OpenAI, for its unique mix of human and AI writing.

Increasingly, major publishing companies and self-publishers are utilizing AI to assist them in writing fiction, making it easier for anyone to enter the field of writing.

Questions People Ask About Writing a Novel Using AI

Is writing a story with AI "cheating" or less real?

AI is a tool, just like a thesaurus or spell checker. Your distinctive voice, point of view, and choices give fiction its authenticity. AI can assist you in generating ideas, but you remain in charge of the creative process.

Can novels written by AI be published or win awards?

Of course. Several commercially released books that use AI have received considerable attention for their uniqueness and originality. Readers, publishers, and award committees will always appreciate human creativity and oversight.

How can I find the right AI writing tool for me?

Choosing the right AI writing tool depends on your specific needs and preferences. Consider factors like the type of writing you do, the features you need (such as grammar checking, idea generation, or world-building), and your budget. It may be helpful to try out a few different platforms to see which one resonates with your writing style.

Can AI completely write my novel for me?

While AI can assist significantly in brainstorming, drafting, and editing, it’s crucial to remember that your voice and creativity are irreplaceable. AI can be a collaborative partner, but the unique essence of your story must come from you.

What should I do if I feel my writing becomes too reliant on AI?

It’s essential to strike a balance between using AI tools and developing your writing skills. Try using AI as a support system rather than a crutch. Set aside time to write without assistance to maintain your voice and creative instincts.

How does AI help with writer's block?

AI can provide prompts, complete sentences, or offer alternative directions for your narrative, helping to inspire creativity and push through blocks. By offering suggestions, it can reignite your creative flow and provide new perspectives on your plot or character development.

Are there any ethical concerns with using AI in writing?**

There are discussions around the originality of content generated by AI and potential copyright issues. It's important to use AI as a tool for inspiration and drafting while ensuring that the final work reflects your creativity and uniqueness.

How can AI assist with research for my novel?

AI can process vast amounts of information quickly, helping you find relevant research, accurate details, and context for your story. By providing precise data and summaries, AI can save you time and enhance the quality of your writing.

Can AI help with formatting my manuscript for publication?

Yes, many AI tools include features to help format your manuscript according to industry standards. This can save you time and ensure your work is ready for submission to publishers or self-publishing platforms.

Is it possible to use AI for collaborative writing projects?

Absolutely! AI can serve as a collaborator by generating ideas, suggesting new plotlines, or even developing dialogue. This can be especially useful in co-writing scenarios where collaboration is key.

How do I ensure my writing style remains unique when using AI?

AI tools often learn from your previous works and writing style, tailoring suggestions to fit your voice. Make sure to review and edit any AI-generated content to infuse your personal touch into the narrative.

What are some potential drawbacks to using AI for writing?

While AI can be a powerful tool, it may sometimes generate content that lacks emotional depth or nuance. Moreover, over-reliance on AI might hinder your development as a writer. Finding a proper balance is essential.

How do I stay motivated while using AI for my writing projects?

Set clear writing goals and use AI to help achieve them. Incorporate regular writing sessions without AI as well to maintain your creativity. Regularly revisiting your purpose and passion for writing can also keep you motivated throughout the process.

The law on copyright is changing. In general, works made by people, even those made with the help of AI

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