For Writers

You have an idea for a story, but you've never written anything before. Don't worry, there's no such thing as an overnight success. Get ready to roll up your sleeves.

Even Liberace had to practice.
photo credit, palacepianos.com

Since future concerto pianists aren't expected to sound like a concerto pianist the first time they play the piano, writers should understand the first thing they put down on paper will not be a NYT's best seller...well, it might be after a lot of editing.

However, most things in life that are worth doing well, take practice, and writing is no exception.

I started writing three years ago, and I've come a long way. My first manuscript makes me cringe, but it's important to see how much I've learned.

Here are some sites that you may find uesful, too.

Querytracker is a great place for anyone who is getting ready to pitch their project to an agent. There's a huge selection of agent information, plus the Queryforum where you can post your query to get excellent feedback from other writers. It's worth joining, and best of all it's FREE.

Nathan Bransford's blog has writing tips from queries to plot outlines, plus he's pretty funny.

Kristin Nelson, of Nelson Literary Agency, has a blog that not only talks about trends in publishing, but her sidebar is a cornucopia of straight-up advice about everything from agents and contracts, to building an on-line presence.

YA author, Janice Hardy regularly posts excellent writing tips with examples that totally makes sense. You should also follow her on twitter.

In regards to books, these have been my bibles, Stephen King's On Writing, and E.B. White and William Strunk's Elements of Style.

Good luck with your writing and remember that every novel on the shelf of your local book store started out as someone's idea, and maybe yours is next!

Below I've linked some of my most popular posts about writing.

How To Outline Your Novel In 15 Sentences.

Prologue? The Best Place To Start Your Story.

How To Stop The Middle Of Your Story From Sagging.

How To Write A Nail Biting Climax.

How To Give Your Readers An Unforgettable Ending.

Three Rules To Successful World Building.

How To Write The Perfect Villain

How To Make Your Characters Jump Off The Page.

How To Write A Kissing Scene.

How To Write A Query Letter.

How To Write Detail Into A Scene.

How To Survive Submission.

The Essential Elements Every Scene Should Have.

How to Write a Synopsis

      
      My writing desk is actually an old sewing machine. As you can see, I like sticky notes.