These are great tips from people who have actually written books. They have all experienced the many challenges that come from writing a novel and have come out the other side …smiling and proudly clutching their beloved book. Sigh!
So, here are 20 writing tips from the first 20 authors interviewed as part of my blog series – Author Interviews.
- Helen Treharne. Write for you. Stick at it. Listen to advice but write to a schedule that suits you.
- Kelsey Horton. Start a blog. Share yourself boldly, over and over again.
- Tom Hocknell. Read novels. Lots of them. Be in love with the joy and potential of picking up a novel in a shop and buying it.
- Tony Riches. Write everyday and enjoy the challenge.
- Helen Jones. Start writing. Once you start writing you are no longer aspiring.
- Geoff Le Pard. Don’t over analyse and don’t compare. It doesn’t matter if the first thing is rubbish. Diamonds are shit until cut!
- Don Massenzio. Keep writing and don’t be afraid to let others read your work. Find someone you trust to read it early on.
- Nicholas Rossis. Be patient and don’t quit your day job just yet. I know a lot of aspiring authors (myself a lifetime ago included) dream of the day we can write full-time, but it might take longer than you hope. If you start with an unrealistic goal, you will only get disappointed and quit. As I constantly say, it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
- S.K. Nicholls. Let most of the advice you hear on writing run through a filter or you’ll go insane!
- Anita Dawes. Keep it real. Don’t copy or imitate anything. Find out what works for you.
- Rachael Ritchey. Have a plan, learn to brand yourself and your work.
- Chris Mentzer. Put together your Writer’s Platform long before your first book is finished. Get the fans interested in you.
- Shelley Wilson. Write! Stop waiting for the ideal time, for that week’s holiday or for your partner to clear the spare room out. Just write!
- Sue Coletta. Never give up. Persistence really pays off.
- Tracy Krimmer. Invest in an awesome critique partner.
- Isabelle Andover. Write on a regular basis. The important thing is to get those words down on the page.
- Kimberly Wenzler. Write and read a lot!
- Terry Tyler. Check out her post ‘Dos & Don’ts For First Time Novelists’
- Icy Sedgwick. Watch films not necessarily for the structure but because they can do things book can’t since they are a visual medium. They are great for getting insight on character arcs and dialogue.
- Aila Stephens. Join a local writing group. I found and joined a writing group that meets once a month, and while I don’t make it to every meeting, going and soaking up the energy from other writers and having that kind of support from people who know your struggles is priceless.
Some great tips from a fab bunch of authors! Get writing all 🙂
Reblogged this on meatdoesntgrowinmygarden and commented:
In a nutshell….just write
Very insightful. Getting pen & paper right now!!
Yay! Best of luck!
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog.
a neat range of ideas, Lucy. Which one resonated with you the most?
The one about diamonds 🙂
I should have said other than me you sweetie
Mr Rossis! His tip was good as well…
The man is quality as they say on football punditry.
Aw, you two! *blush*
Reblogged this on poetry, photos and musings oh my!.
Great collection.. thanks Lucy…
Thank you 🙂 happy Weekend!
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Worth reading and thanks to Chris The Story Reading Ape for sharing so that I caught.. Lucy at Blonde Write More with some great tips from writers including Nicholas Rossis, Geoff Le Pard, Sue Colleta, Don Massenzio and many others.. Head over to the original and read the full list and share..
Fab post and some great ideas expressed – thanks for sharing 🙂
Hey thx Polly 🙂
Reblogged this on Coffee n' Notes and commented:
Great tips for writers 🙂
Thanking you kindly Galit 🙂
😀 Loved the post hun 🙂
Wow…all great tips. Geoff’s diamond/shit comment…priceless ! ☺
Love Geoff! He should write a book full of these priceless tips 🙂
Very good series!
My favorite – #10 Keep it real! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for this 🙂
All of these are GREAT tips. 🙂
They are fab! Thank you for dropping by 🙂
I’m going to share this on Facebook.
Great advice, thank you for sharing!!!
Reblogged this on The Aila Stephens Blog.
Reblogged this on Kim's Author Support Blog.
A lovely round up of information, Lucy! Very pleased to be included on the list xx
Reblogged this on Don Massenzio's Blog.
Thank you Don 🙂
You’re welcome. Great post.
I had some fab contributors 🙂
Reblogged this on I Suck at Writing.
OH, I completely love the way you’ve compiled all the interviews, including writing tips with each of the links. Brilliant. ❤ Excellent post.
One day you will sit in my chair lemon shark 🙂
Bloody hell, I hope so. And soon. ❤
Yes crack on!!
Reblogged this on Journey To Ambeth and commented:
Lucy over at BlondeWriteMore does a wonderful weekly Author Interview. This week, she’s put together a compilation of writing tips taken from those interviews, including some words from yours truly! Thanks for including me, Lucy – this is a great list of writing tips 🙂
Yay!!! Love being on Journey to Ambeth 🙂
Yay! You’re welcome to visit any time 🙂 And I love being on BlondeWriteMore too!
All excellent advice!
Nice one Lucy! Great tips.
An authors fashion post? You mean writers write wearing other clothes than pjamas??? I thought pyjamas were uniform?
Ali – thank you! There are some really interesting fashion choices for writing.
When are you going to sit in my chair?
Interesting post, Lucy. I enjoyed it. There were good ideas. 🙂 — Suzanne
Thank you for this 🙂
I saw this post while I was away and didn’t have a chance to comment. Great compilation of tips!
Thx Sue – watch out tomorrow it’s the ’20 Authors reveal what they wear whilst writing!’ post 🙂
LOL Will do!
Very happy to be featured here, thank you – I have 18 more crucial tips here:
https://tomhocknell.wordpress.com/2015/01/16/writing/
most of which are serious.
Great tips, especially 6 and 9!
Can’t wait for the post on what writers wear when writing. Be interesting to see how often pyjamas and boxer shorts show up… No? Just me?
Hey Graeme – it went out on Saturday and it was AMAZING! Check it out 🙂
I’m obviously well behind with my reading. Still, first glance tells me that I’m gifted with foresight – or maybe looking like a slob is part of a writer’s CV (present company excepted, of course)
Great insight, thanks for posting these! 🙂
Excellent tips! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thx for reading Heena 🙂
Pleasure 🙂
Good stuff, Lucy!
Thank you Dionne 🙂
Yup, great advice from all. As an author (and blogger) I’ve also found it helpful to TEACH creative writing to adults. We all inspire each other, and I get to pick exercises and prompts that keep us all motivated and, most important…. WRITING.
Reblogged this on Still Another Writer's Blog.