Writing Tips
Read lots!!! However, do not burrow under the duvet and read so much that you don’t have any time left to actually write. (Although sometimes you will feel like doing exactly this – see below). Do not put it off. I spent years telling myself I would get round to writing when I was less busy, when EastEnders was cancelled, when the children were older (or when I stopped thinking of myself as a child for that matter). Time has a way of ticking on. This time next year, if you write a small amount every day, you will have written a book.
Be prepared for it to be hard work. Writing is not easy. I force myself to sit at the computer every day. I would much rather be reading Heat and / or watching TV. But, sad as it may be, watching another episode of Desperate Housewives / Lost / Cheaters will not make you a writer – (although I often try and convince myself it can be counted as research.) Find a quiet spot and get writing – even ten minutes a day will set you on the road and once you see the words startingto pile up you’ll be delighted. Then you can reward yourself by watching dreamy Dr. Shepherd on Grey’s Anatomy. Or give yourself a different motivator - a giant carton of Maltesers for every 1000 words written worked particularly well for me.
If you get stuck don’t give up. Just write about something else – it needn’t even be related to the novel. The more you write the easier it will become.
Once you have written the first few chapters and are happy with them, print them off, make sure they look presentable and do not have coffee stains or sticky marks on them, cross your fingers and send them off to a few publishers.
Do not be surprised if you don’t hear back for a horribly long time. Try not to attack the postman every time he calls. If you get a rejection letter, do not take it personally. Treat yourself to some consolation Maltesers, wipe your tears and move on. There are thousands of publishers out there– one of them will be perfect for you. Remember JK Rowling was turned down by many publishers – think how sick they must feel now!
While you are waiting, keep writing! It is too easy to fall into the trap of sitting at the front door waiting for the rejection slips and not actually doing any writing. It is also easy to fall into a manic depression if one publisher decides your book is not for them. Keep going. The words will add up.
If you do get offered a book deal – have lots of champagne and then get an agent. The Artists and Writers Handbook is an excellent source of information. A good agent will deal with all the boring official details – leaving you to get on with the fun stuff.