As unqualified as I am to be giving tips, I’d like to share some observations I’ve made from my own experiences, which hopefully might prove helpful to others.
1. It seems almost too obvious to say, but the single most important thing to do is to sit down and write. Not think about it. Not talk about it. Not plan it. Do it. No writing journey can begin until that first step has been taken to put the words on the page.
2. Write your first draft as though just for yourself. Let the story come instinctively, from the heart. Getting the head too involved at this stage can stifle creativity.
3. When you’ve completed that first draft, give yourself a well-earned pat on the back, pour yourself a celebratory drink, then put the manuscript away and ignore it for as long as you can bear – a week, a month, three. The distance will allow you to tackle edits with a fresh pair of eyes and a clear mind.
4. Create a separate document for each draft. A good edit requires ruthless action and it makes it immeasurably easier to hit the delete button if you know you have the option to reinstate something from an earlier document.
5. Enjoy yourself! Remember just how amazing it is to be doing something you love.
Melting Ms Frost by Kat Black is out now.