new to writing, struggling with word choices , any advice?

Hi everyone,

I’m completely new to writing and I’ve decided to try my hand at writing a novel for the first time. Honestly, it’s been both exciting and really challenging! One of the hardest parts for me is picking the right words. I often find myself staring at sentences, not knowing what to add next. Sometimes I spend hours just on a single paragraph.

I just finished my first chapter today, which feels amazing, but it was also incredibly difficult. It took way longer than I expected, and I keep worrying that my word choices aren’t good enough. I love the process and the creativity involved, but sometimes it feels overwhelming.

I’d really appreciate any advice, how do you figure out what to add next? How do you keep momentum going while still making your writing feel polished?