You can learn to write novels, or if it requires a special gift? The core issue is about the ability against ability - skills can be learned, skills are innate. Probably, the writing is a skill. However, the quality of your work will depend on the capacity.
Here are my personal guidelines to help you make a book to start writing. Many writers will tell you to go on courses in creative writing will help. Maybe. I learned most of them the hard way.
Read widely in your genre - you must know the competition, especially the best writers. This is a good place to start learning to write novels, because you see what sells (but remember that a good marketing can sell the work of poor quality).
Many successful writers start with a plan for a book: beginning, middle and end, with the top hanging on a wall. Then you add character profiles, and the meat out. It is much easier to do if you have a plot in mind. I just can not write books this way even if I have a good storyline to begin. I like to write a book to be a journey of discovery for me, as the reader. Find the method works for you.
