Alice Darwin
1. READ
If you want to write well you have to read a lot. This Stephen King quote says it perfectly: “If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”
2. WRITE
Don’t just talk about writing, you need to make time and be dedicated enough to actually do it. Your writing will improve the more you do it, like anything you just need to practice and you’ll find it gets easier. Write until it becomes as natural as breathing, write until not writing makes you feel anxious.
3. CARRY A NOTEBOOK EVERYWHERE
I have ideas all of the time, I might be on a train or waking the dog, or very often in bed, just before I fall asleep. If you write it all down, in a notebook, or in several dotted about the place, then you’ll be well equipped when it comes to writing your story. I email myself and text myself ideas all the time too. It’s amazing how helpful it is to look through them when you get stuck.
4. BE YOURSELF
You should write the book that you want to read. Don’t try to write like someone else, be yourself. Don’t try and copy other authors and don’t jump on the bandwagon of the latest popular trend. Write about something you are passionate about, create characters that you would want to read about. People spend too long trying to predict what the next big thing is, don’t be afraid of being different or original, maybe you are the next big thing.
5. NEVER GIVE UP
Don’t give up the day dream. Expect the first draft of anything to be rubbish and develop a thick skin – you are going to get rejection letters from agents and you are going to get some negative reviews – you can’t please all of the people all of the time! Every author is gets rejections, you just have to keep going. Here are a few you might have heard of:
JK Rowling (Harry Potter) 12 rejections
Stephenie Meyer (Twilight) 14 rejections
The Diary of Anne Frank 15 rejections
So never, ever give up!
1. READ
If you want to write well you have to read a lot. This Stephen King quote says it perfectly: “If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”
2. WRITE
Don’t just talk about writing, you need to make time and be dedicated enough to actually do it. Your writing will improve the more you do it, like anything you just need to practice and you’ll find it gets easier. Write until it becomes as natural as breathing, write until not writing makes you feel anxious.
3. CARRY A NOTEBOOK EVERYWHERE
I have ideas all of the time, I might be on a train or waking the dog, or very often in bed, just before I fall asleep. If you write it all down, in a notebook, or in several dotted about the place, then you’ll be well equipped when it comes to writing your story. I email myself and text myself ideas all the time too. It’s amazing how helpful it is to look through them when you get stuck.
4. BE YOURSELF
You should write the book that you want to read. Don’t try to write like someone else, be yourself. Don’t try and copy other authors and don’t jump on the bandwagon of the latest popular trend. Write about something you are passionate about, create characters that you would want to read about. People spend too long trying to predict what the next big thing is, don’t be afraid of being different or original, maybe you are the next big thing.
5. NEVER GIVE UP
Don’t give up the day dream. Expect the first draft of anything to be rubbish and develop a thick skin – you are going to get rejection letters from agents and you are going to get some negative reviews – you can’t please all of the people all of the time! Every author is gets rejections, you just have to keep going. Here are a few you might have heard of:
JK Rowling (Harry Potter) 12 rejections
Stephenie Meyer (Twilight) 14 rejections
The Diary of Anne Frank 15 rejections
So never, ever give up!
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