This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
1. Shut yourself away from all distractions – the internet, your phone, friends, family, the kettle and the biscuit tin – and just write.
2. After you’ve shut yourself away for hours on end, take a complete break. Do something that brings you back to the real world – take a walk, do some yoga, spend time with friends and family, hit the switch on the kettle and prise the lid off the biscuit tin. You’ve earned a break and you’ll work much better if you don’t get stale. Just like those biscuits.
3. Re-read, re-work, re-edit and then do it again. And again. And again…
4. Cultivate patience and allow time to let things simmer. Thinking time is as important as writing time.
5. Be like a barnacle! Writers need to develop a thick shell, but still maintain a soft core of sensitivity. And they need to be incredibly tenacious. Yes, barnacles definitely make the best writers. Although admittedly their keyboard skills leave a little to be desired.
The French for Christmas by Fiona Valpy is out now.