Guest Post // Top Ten Tips for Writers
As I work to create my own content for Eventide & Barley, I’ve enlisted help from some of my friends to fill the gaps. It’s just the nature of writers to ebb and flow when it comes to their writing. If you follow me on Twitter, you’ve probably seen my complaints towards my own writing recently. There’s nothing “easy” about writing, and we’re often times our biggest critic. That’s why today I have fellow author Annika Sharma, and her article highlighting the top ten tips for writers. Some things seem obvious, and they are, but every once in a while we need to be reminded of them and how to apply them to our own writing life.
Top Ten Tips for Writers
by Annika Sharma
10. Revise. Rewrite. Do it again. And again.
Your book will never be 100% perfect. It doesn’t hurt, however, to change anything and everything you can so it gets as close to flawless as can be in your hands. Does it suck cutting paragraphs that seem like works of art not seen since Michaelangelo? Yup. Get to it! If you love what you’ve written but have to part with the words, save them in a “Cut Material” document—who knows when it will come to use?
9. Trust yourself. Trust your story.
If that story about the penguin brigade who storms mid-western America with ladles full of jelly is speaking to you, write the hell out of it. It may be the one an agent or editor is looking for. Like Stephen King says, “Write with the door closed. Edit with the door open.” Write your best story on your own. Then open the door for edits, changes, and adjustments.
8. Learn!
I’m going to quote Taylor Swift here (yeah, I know, don’t judge me): If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room. Use Twitter, Facebook, Literaticat, Writers Digest and every other resource out there. They’re out there to help!
7. Make friends.
I know writers have a reputation for being secluded introverts who couldn’t talk themselves out of a paper cup, but reach out. Like I said, Twitter, Facebook and blogs are all awesome—and coming from someone who had NO IDEA where to go…you can make friends quickly. The writer community is incredibly supportive. You learn so much and it never hurts to have people on your side if things go south.
6. Make mistakes.
When I first queried, I thought my story was ready—but the pacing was still an issue until I finally rewrote the entire thing. The final version is a hell of a lot better than the first—and the story itself didn’t change that much. Be willing to admit when you’re wrong (it happens!)
5. Read it out loud.
Word search for “that” and “of” and cut any instances that don’t require them. Have a critique partner—whether that’s your best friend or someone with twelve books under their belt, someone else should point out what they love and don’t about your story. If that’s not the angle you’re going for, it’s a prime opportunity to change it. Spell check. Learn the rules of grammar. Find ways to tear apart your manuscript—because sometimes when you sew it back together, it flows smoothly.
4. Appreciate all forms of art.
When you’re ready to pitch your story in the trash or throw your laptop out the window, take a break. Go watch a sunset. Listen to music. See a movie. Visit an art exhibit. Do something to get your creative juices flowing that doesn’t involve your own work. The clarity it’ll provide will only help you.
3. If you aren’t invested in your characters, no one else will be.
That doesn’t mean they have to be likable, perfect, or even nice. It just means they have to be human in a way that makes people begs for more. And the only way to create that is to let yourself care about them, too.
2. You are a writer.
It took me forever to call myself one because I felt like a fraud—first when I didn’t have an agent, then when I didn’t have a publisher yet, then when I realized how many people have multiple books compared to my debut. We spend far too much time telling ourselves what we aren’t. Do you put words to paper? Congratulations, you are a writer! Don’t let anyone take that away. And while we’re at it…every great writer, actor, artist, scientist, doctor, lawyer, businessman, and laborer started when they were none of those things.
1. Have a healthy disregard for the naysayers.
We’ve all been there, right? “You write books? Like (insert name of the most criticized book you’ve ever heard of)?” or “You can’t make money doing that.” or the ever-popular “So you’re the next JK Rowling? You probably made a ton of money right?” No, actually, dude, I’m lucky I can afford a toothpick. But it doesn’t mean I’m going to stop trying to build a penthouse through realistic expectations and hard work. Come up with a plan and go—no one needs to be satisfied at the end of the day but you. If you have a dream, it’s yours and yours alone. Go chase it. I can’t wait to watch you do it.
About Annika
Annika Sharma was born in New Delhi and brought up in the United States, where she moved with her parents as a baby. A proud alum, she graduated from Penn State University with dual degrees in Biobehavioral Health and Neuro-Psychology, and minors in Biology and Human Development and Family Studies. She received her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education before pursuing her dreams of becoming a writer, landing her agent Stacey Donaghy of Donaghy Literary Group while daylighting as a preschool teacher. The Rearranged Life, her first novel, was written in the month before graduate school.
Annika, a Gryffindor and Scorpio, spends much of her time dreaming of adventure, working on her next book, going on Starbucks runs with family and friends, shopping online and watching superhero movies.
The Rearranged Life will hit shelves on May 15th, 2015, published by Curiosity Quills Press. It follows the love story of Nithya and James. Nithya, a type-A college student with ambitions of medical school, has never needed anything but the love of her family and her accomplishments. When she meets James St. Clair, her world is rocked. There’s just one problem: James is American and Nithya’s traditional Indian family has high hopes of an arranged marriage. Now, Nithya has a decision to make: become a doctor and a good Indian bride or step away from centuries of culture and forge her own path.
Find Her Online
Website // Facebook // Twitter // Goodreads
