This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
1. Don’t Panic. Except, to be honest, I do. All the time. I’m forever fretting that the funny lines won’t come, or that I’ll get to the end of the day and decide to consign the 3000 words I’ve just toiled over straight to the recycle bin. I’ve decided to accept the stress, the fear and the comfort eating of biscuits.
2. If it feels right, then write from the heart, not the textbook. Creative writing teachers, look away now. I’m afraid I don’t plot my story out beforehand, I don’t draw up a framework, I don’t write several drafts … I just sit down and let the book reveal itself as my fingers fly over the keyboard (getting faster with each large cup of high grade caffeine).
3. Have at least one character that you could fall in love with. Not only does this give the characters more depth, but it’s great motivation for getting to the desk every morning. It also makes the sexy scenes far more interesting. Nothing beats spending the day dreaming up raunchy things to do with a 6ft lovable, finely formed, well-endowed Adonis.
4. Bribe your children and find great friends who will bring you food and moral support. My teenagers don’t know anything different than a life with a mum as a writer. Long ago, we worked out a mutually beneficial deal – other than bringing me regular cups of tea, they don’t disturb me when I’m writing and in return I spend several hours a day being their cook, social secretary and unpaid taxi service. My pals also drop by daily when I’m on deadline, delivering food, laughs and counselling services when I’m having a panic / drama / writing a sad bit.
5. Don’t take rejection to heart. It’s really difficult not to let rejection upset you but you really do have to develop the skin of a self-assured rhino. Even now, 15 years in, rejection still stings, but there’s nothing else for it than to keep going and hope something great is just around the corner. It usually is!
The Moment of Truth by Shari Low is out now.