This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Nuala Casey’s first novel Soho, 4am was published last month.
1. Write – It sounds obvious but it’s amazing how many would-be writers think they have to wait for some elusive muse to strike before they put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard. If you sit around waiting for inspiration to strike you’re in for a long wait.
2. Establish a routine – In an ideal world every aspiring writer would have a cool, airy study to work in, pots of money in the bank and a swathe of time to write their opus. The reality is far from that. Most writers have to juggle writing time between work, family and other commitments. I wrote most of Soho, 4am in snatched moments while my toddler was napping or late at night after everyone had gone to bed. So whether you have a whole day to write or just your lunch break to get a few scribbles down, make the most of the time you have and make every minute count. It will be worth it in the end, trust me.
3. Read – A good writer is first a good reader. Read each day, read books you wouldn’t normally read, stretch yourself, step outside your genre. If you’re a novelist don’t just read novels, explore short stories, poetry, plays. It will all help make you a better writer.
4. Observe – There’s only so much you can do sitting at a desk – the rest is out there on the street so get out there and do some people watching. Watch their mannerisms, their facial tics, their quirks and turns of phrase. This will help develop authentic voices, believable characters and convincing plots without relying on hackneyed phrases, clichés and cartoon scenarios.
5. Set deadlines – Knowing you have to deliver a chapter by a certain date really helps motivate you as you write. For me, it really helped to enrol on a Creative Writing MA course as not only did I have to work to a deadline but I also got the opportunity to workshop my work in progress with the other students and receive critical feedback on it which I found invaluable.