This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
1. You don’t have to start at the beginning. Beginnings are the hardest. Start somewhere else. Just start.
2. Punctuation is important. Perhaps you have heard this before. Why? Because it’s true. Agents and publishers are professional readers and they don’t like a mess. Fix all your typos, grammatical and punctuation mistakes, clunker sentences, repeated words, etc. etc. before sending it out.
3. Read, read, read. The more you read, the more you will unconsciously absorb the techniques and cadences of polished writing.
4. Write book reviews. This serves three purposes. First, in evaluating other books, you discover what you prize in writing, and what you don’t. Two, the review itself is a short essay, a form which is an effective practice tool. You don’t have a lot of space to make a point and be interesting. Third, see the Tip #3.
5. If you get stuck, get out of your chair. Take a walk, do some stretches or, if you must, do some housecleaning and your story will begin moving again sooner than if you’d stared at the screen. Plus, it’s better for your health.
House Broken by Sonja Yoerg is out now.