1. Don’t be in a hurry. Take your time to read, dream, think, plot, plan. Let the idea for your story compost. Create a space for your story.
2. Don’t just write what you know – write what you want to explore and discover.
3. Remember that writing is the most important thing in your day and therefore requires top priority. Even above social media and emails. And eating. And especially housework.
4. Write spontaneously and edit ruthlessly. Cut, cut, cut. Less is more.
5. Never give up.
The Saffron Trail by Rosanna Ley is out now.