This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Victoria Connelly has published dozens of novels and short stories – her latest, A Summer to Remember, is out now – so is pretty well placed to offer a writing tip or two. Here, the author shares five with the hope of inspiring her fellow writers.
1. Write lots. A novel doesn’t write itself and you will need to be totally committed if you want to complete a full-length work of fiction.
2. Read lots. Read the books in the genre you want to write in and read them for pleasure as well as with a critical eye – what do you like or dislike about them? How does the author move the story forward? What would you have done differently? Also, read other genres too – I enjoy a jolly good thriller after a dose of rom com, and I love autobiographies too.
3. Love what you’re doing. Writing a novel is a long process so don’t do it unless you absolutely love it!
4. Join a group to meet other writers. If you write romances, the Romantic Novelists’ Association is brilliant. They have meetings all over the country and their parties are legendary!
5. Never give up. If you really want to write and be published, you have to put the hours in and keep going even when the rejections come thick and fast. Learn your craft, write more and don’t stop.