Rachel Harris
Tip #1: Read often and widely. Read within your favorite genre so you know what is out there, especially if you want to write in it, see what the expectations are, and then expand your world by pulling inspiration from way outside your genre.
• Write or love YA contemporary? Maybe try also reading adult (such as my sweet small town romances) and/or historicals.
• Write historical? Give fantasy and suspense a shot.
• You never know what will inspire you...or even where your voice truly is...until you try.
Tip #2: But don't stop at reading, either. Pay attention.
• What made you smile at that passage? What had you skimming those pages? What spoke to you, what did you hate, what had you fuming at your book yet determined to find out what happens?
• These are all clues to helping you find your unique voice and style.
Tip #3: When you do start writing, don't forget to Use Your Senses. What is your character Smelling, Tasting, Touching, Hearing? Seeing is obvious and normally one no one really misses.
• In each scene, try to include at least 3 of your senses. It brings the pages and story to life and jumps off the page.
Tip #4: DON’T GIVE UP. Don’t stop after your first book. You will always get better, there will always be more stories to tell, and there’s always a chance that book can come back out later.
• Write or love YA contemporary? Maybe try also reading adult (such as my sweet small town romances) and/or historicals.
• Write historical? Give fantasy and suspense a shot.
• You never know what will inspire you...or even where your voice truly is...until you try.
Tip #2: But don't stop at reading, either. Pay attention.
• What made you smile at that passage? What had you skimming those pages? What spoke to you, what did you hate, what had you fuming at your book yet determined to find out what happens?
• These are all clues to helping you find your unique voice and style.
Tip #3: When you do start writing, don't forget to Use Your Senses. What is your character Smelling, Tasting, Touching, Hearing? Seeing is obvious and normally one no one really misses.
• In each scene, try to include at least 3 of your senses. It brings the pages and story to life and jumps off the page.
Tip #4: DON’T GIVE UP. Don’t stop after your first book. You will always get better, there will always be more stories to tell, and there’s always a chance that book can come back out later.
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