I'm participating in a spring blog hop with the CHOCOLATE BOX WRITERS! So For a little change of pace this week, we have more than one blog. This morning's is friend, Barbara Wallace, Seven Tips for Aspiring Writers
If you're looking for my Monday blog on digging deeper...just scroll down.
Enjoy!
Seven Tips for
Aspiring Writers
Don’t chase trends. Ignore talk about what’s hot and what’s
selling. Chances are, by the time you
perfect your manuscript, the trends will have shifted. Focus on writing a good book, not a
marketable one.
Hone your voice. So often I read unpublished manuscripts where
the writer attempted to emulate her favorite author. As a result, the manuscript is often
technically perfect, but lacking spark.
As much as you might love their books, there can only be one Kristan Higgins
or Ruthie Knox. Be yourself. Don’t be an imitation of someone else.
Finish your book. Sigh.
If I had a nickel for all the times writers drop a story because they
got bored halfway through. Or spent
their energy honing the first three chapters as though writing a proposal. I’ve got one word for you. STOP!
The only sure way to publish a book is to have an entire book. Similarly,
Understand the
difference between a finished manuscript and a publishable manuscript. The dark side of self-publishing is that it’s
led some authors to believe that simply writing a book qualifies them for
publication. Not every book deserves to
be in print. I know – I have a half
dozen books on my computer that will never EVER see the light of day. Nor should they. Be ruthless about your craft, and be honest
with yourself.
Accept rejection and
failure as inevitable. Everyone
stumbles. Falling down is part of the
learning process. What falling down
isn’t, however, is a judgment on you as a writer or as a person. Learn from your mistakes, and grow.
Never stop learning
your craft. Too often, I go to
writers conferences only to find the hallways filled with new authors
networking. Meanwhile, there are
bestselling authors sitting in the front row of the craft sessions taking
notes. The best writers know that
learning never ends. Strive to be one of
those writers.
Barbara Wallace
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Barbara Wallace
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2 comments:
I loved those tips, Barbara. I always laugh when I'm giving a workshop and the front rows are filled with published authors. There really always is something to learn!
I also loved finished doesn't mean publishable. I wrote 6 books before I sold. Of those six books I think I rewrote 1 and sold it. The other five got a proper burial! LOL
Thanks for the tips and for sharing them with us today!
susan
This is excellent advice. Networking is great, but isn't that what breaks and evenings are for?
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