This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Remember that dialogue reads far faster than narrative or description, so if your plot is getting slow or sticky, get your characters talking.
- Try to stop each writing session at a point that’s easy to pick up again, especially if it’s going to be several days before you return to it. If I finish on the end of a scene, I write the first few lines of the next scene just to give myself a key in.
- Research is hugely important to add authenticity and plot devices, but try not to cram every detail into the book just because you have taken the time to find it out – it will read like a technical manual not a story.
- For big cast, multiple plotline books, writing the first draft is the tough slog at the foundry, but editing is the true alchemy. Always set as much time aside as possible for the Three Rs: rereading, reviewing and rewriting. It will pay huge dividends.
- It is often repeated because it’s so true, that you should write what you love to read, and never stop reading and re-reading books to inspire and entertain you – although not necessarily at the same time; I avoid raunchy romantic comedies when I’m writing because I find I get muddled between my plots and theirs, but I always have a book on the go.
Fiona's latest book is The Love Letter. Read our full interview with Fiona here.