This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Elizabeth Maxwell’s latest novel, Happily Ever After, is about a 40-something erotic novelist who meets the fictional hero of her most recent book in real life. Here, Elizabeth shares her top five writing tips including one she stole from iconic women’s fiction author, Nora Roberts.
1. Get outside your comfort zone. Do something (rock climbing, hang gliding, reading Proust?) you’ve never done and watch as amazing creative channels open for you.
2. Read. Read. Read. Extensively. Across genres. Good things will happen to your writing when you do.
3. Ass in the chair. I’m stealing this from Nora Roberts because there is simply no better way to put it.
4. Don’t be afraid of imperfection. You can edit later.
5. Accept your style. If you’re a planner, make an outline. If outlines make you nervous, don’t beat yourself up. Just write Chapter One on the top of the page and get going.