This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
1. Write what you like to read. It sounds simple, but it’s common to try to write what you think others want to read, rather than what you enjoy to read yourself. You have to write for yourself first.
2. Don’t hold back. You can’t be worried about what your family or friends will think. You have to be true to yourself and the work, and don’t worry about offending people. In fact, if you offend people that’s a good sign you’re doing something right.
3. When you finish your first book, write your second book. Too many new authors finish their novel and think their work is done, and stop writing while they search for an agent. The reality is that writers are always working, have new deadlines, so you have to get into this rhythm.
4. Get used to rejection. There isn’t just rejection from agents—there’s rejection at every level. I’m sure Lee Child still feels a sting when he gets a bad review, so build up that thick skin now.
5. Be persistent. My past as a telemarketer has telemarketer has helped me with this one. I believe if you have a good product, somebody will eventually buy it. If there is a great unpublished masterpiece sitting in a drawer right now it’s not because a publisher didn’t want to publish it—it’s because the writer gave up. If your book is good, and you try hard enough, I guarantee you’ll have success.
Savage Lane: A Dark Suburban Thriller by Jason Starr is out now!