I researched some writing tips - Enjoy !

Hello Everyone -

FINALLY getting some time to get some things done. I'm thinking that it's just a matter of taking and making the time. I suppose it's like that with everything - time just seems to be the one thing that we tend to not take more of. All this prompted me to research a few writing tips - I thought that they may help anyone who is thinking about writing a book.

Like most things - writing success boils down to hard work, imagination and passion—and then some more hard work. When I first started it was a challenge from my oldest daughter Sarah. Now three published books later, and one in the pot, here I am. For others it may be something that has been in you and it's finally time for you to get it out. Soooooooooooo try some of these ideas.

You can use these tips as an inspirational guide—or better yet, print a copy to put on your desk, home office, refrigerator door, or in my case, on the island that divides the kitchen from the living room. Just put them somewhere noticeable so you can be constantly reminded not to let your story ideas wither away by putting off your writing. And BTW - good luck!

Tip1: The first rule I found was to read everything you can lay hands on. I always thought that you should read everything that you can in the genre that you want to write. Some say that you should read everything that you can - no matter the genre. 

Tip 2: Protect the time and space in which you write. Keep everybody away from it, even the people who are most important to you. This can be very difficult but it has to be done. You've heard of people locking themselves away from the rest of the world just so that they can focus on the task at hand. Trust me - it works. Of course you don't want to do that to much or you'll end up losing your mind. 

Tip 3: Make a plan for your story - Introduce your main characters and themes in the first third of your novel. If you are writing a plot-driven genre novel make sure all your major themes/plot elements are introduced in the first third, which you can call the introduction. Develop your themes and characters in your second third, the development. Resolve your themes, mysteries and so on in the final third, the resolution

Tip 4: "In the planning stage of a book, don't plan the ending. It has to be earned by all that will go before it." — Rose Tremain

This I totally agree with! I always know how I want to the story to start and travel through the pages. It's the ending that takes me to time - and it should.

Tip 5: Always carry a note-book. And I mean always. The short-term memory only retains information for three minutes; unless it is committed to paper you can lose an idea for ever." — Will Self

I tend to use the notes app on my phone for that. It certainly helps me later on. 

Tip 6: "It's doubtful that anyone with an internet connection at his workplace is writing good fiction." — Jonathan Franzen

Meaning - put all the outside stuff away. Your phone, the ever interesting Facebook page - all of it. It should just be you with a pen and pad. If you write on your computer - turn on the wifi!

"Work on a computer that is disconnected from the internet." — Zadie Smith

See - I was right! =)

Tip 7: "Interesting verbs are seldom very interesting." — Jonathan Franzen

I like to write conversationally. Meaning that I like to write like I speak. Yes! I have some interesting ways of saying things and sometimes I have to explain that in the text - but it also makes me feel more comfortable. It's like l'm actually having a conversation with the reader. 

Tip 8: "Read it aloud to yourself because that's the only way to be sure the rhythms of the sentences are OK (prose rhythms are too complex and subtle to be thought out—they can be got right only by ear)." — Diana Athill

Interesting point - one that l will try! 

Tip 9: "Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass." – Anton Chekhov

THIS is what l love to do. I always think of Carol Channing and the way she would explain things or tell a story. It was always so imaginative and suggestive. Anyone can say that the moon is shining. 

Tip 10: "Listen to the criticisms and preferences of your trusted 'first readers.'" — Rose Tremain

My suggestion is that you give it to someone that you trust but also that you trust to give you an honest answer. Your spouse, child or best friend could possibly try to spare your feelings. I however have made a deal with David, Sarah and Patty that I want the honest truth. No sugar on this cookie.

Tip 11: "Fiction that isn't an author's personal adventure into the frightening or the unknown isn't worth writing for anything but money." — Jonathan Franzen

Basically, you're going to have to put some of yourself into the book. Don't be afraid - no one will know what part is really about you and which is made up. 

Tip 12: "Don't panic. Midway through writing a novel, I have regularly experienced moments of bowel-curdling terror, as I contemplate the drivel on the screen before me and see beyond it, in quick succession, the derisive reviews, the friends' embarrassment, the failing career, the dwindling income, the repossessed house, the divorce . . . Working doggedly on through crises like these, however, has always got me there in the end. Leaving the desk for a while can help. Talking the problem through can help me recall what I was trying to achieve before I got stuck. Going for a long walk almost always gets me thinking about my manuscript in a slightly new way. And if all else fails, there's prayer. St Francis de Sales, the patron saint of writers, has often helped me out in a crisis. If you want to spread your net more widely, you could try appealing to Calliope, the muse of epic poetry, too." — Sarah Waters

A walk on the beach always does me wonders!

Tip 13: "The writing life is essentially one of solitary confinement – if you can't deal with this you needn't apply." — Will Self

Pretty much mentioned above - I think you get the idea!

Tip 14: "Be your own editor/critic. Sympathetic but merciless!" — Joyce Carol Oates

Be merciless - it is for your own good!!!

Tip 15: "The reader is a friend, not an adversary, not a spectator." — Jonathan Franzen

Back to the conversational writing - I hope it comes across that way.

Tip 16: "Keep your exclamation points under control. You are allowed no more than two or three per 100,000 words of prose. If you have the knack of playing with exclaimers the way Tom Wolfe does, you can throw them in by the handful." — Elmore Leonard

I tend to disagree with that - I like exclamation points - to me - in dialogue, sometimes they are seriously needed. 

Tip 17: "Remember: when people tell you something's wrong or doesn't work for them, they are almost always right. When they tell you exactly what they think is wrong and how to fix it, they are almost always wrong." — Neil Gaiman

LOL - I suppose - like your own children - you know what's best for your own story.

Tip 18: "You know that sickening feeling of inadequacy and over-exposure you feel when you look upon your own empurpled prose? Relax into the awareness that this ghastly sensation will never, ever leave you, no matter how successful and publicly lauded you become. It is intrinsic to the real business of writing and should be cherished." — Will Self

Again - LOL - try not to lose your head!

Tip 19: "The main rule of writing is that if you do it with enough assurance and confidence, you're allowed to do whatever you like. (That may be a rule for life as well as for writing. But it's definitely true for writing.) So write your story as it needs to be written. Write it honestly, and tell it as best you can. I'm not sure that there are any other rules. Not ones that matter." — Neil Gaiman

This I love!!!!

Tip 20: "The nearest I have to a rule is a Post-it on the wall in front of my desk saying ‘Faire et se taire’ (Flaubert), which I translate for myself as ‘Shut up and get on with it.’" — Helen Simpson

And this too - we hesitate so often - just get on with it already. 

Even famous authors sometimes have a tough time with writing; they also go through periods of self-doubt. Despite this, they always manage to come up with the goods. So take a lesson from them and stop putting off your writing plans and get started on your publishing journey today.
There has never been a better time than now to realize your dream of becoming a published author. Let your voice be heard and let your story be told. Never let your passion for writing wane. I hope that these tips will help you achieve your ambitions.

Thanks for stopping by.

Be well,

Christopher

And as always, mention this post in the note section of your order and I'll give you an additional 10% off your book purchase.
www.christophereclawson.weebly.com