I am also writing my first novel, after being a professional writer/editor for over two decades. I still own my writing service but have gotten more involved with publishing as Senior Editor/Copartner for a publishing company. I have found it helpful to outline chapters with plot points and organize character sketches before writing. You should know your characters inside out and everything about them before beginning. My novel is based on the lives of my grandparents and begins when they are children. So, getting into the heads of my great-grandparents, to write dialogue, has been an amazing experience. I stare at their pictures and feel as if I know them now.

I have a rough draft of the first three chapters and, thanks to the outline, I know I plan on twelve in total. The character sketches force you to determine the characteristics and appearance of the characters. I have found www.writethatnovel.com particularly helpful.

I hope this information is useful to you. Keep writing.