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| Pamela S. Thibodeaux |
When Dora invited me to write a post for Seriously Write, I
wondered what on earth could I say that you haven’t already heard or, for that
matter, something I haven’t already said and/or written about. So I thought I’d
just recap some of my most valuable writing advice. Here goes….
Read. Read
extensively in your genre and out. Take note of phrases & descriptions that
capture your imagination or make your heart sing and mind race. I’ve yet to meet a
writer who isn’t an avid reader!
Write. Doesn’t
matter if it’s daily, weekly, or 2-3 days a month, just make time to write
consistently. Don’t worry if it’s dribble to begin with just write. Whether
you’re at a desk, the kitchen table, the library, or a coffee shop, get in the
habit of sitting in your writing space and putting words on paper (or computer,
or notebook, or i-pad)…You get my drift. Forget the rules and write the book you
want to read! You can always check for publisher guidelines and edit/revise
your project to fit, but those first drafts can be whatever you want them to
be!
Edit. Most projects need a minimum
of 3 edits…. Initial where you layer in descriptions, the five senses, etc. Second
pass where you check for plot holes and pacing. Third round where you check for
grammar, punctuation, etc. Make sure you take at least two weeks to a month
between edits! If you don’t, chances are you’ll miss mistakes that could cost you
a contract or precious time in edits after the contract. While you’re letting
this one cool, start another! Keep several projects in the works at all times
so you don’t worry this one to death.
Query/Submit. At some
point you’ve got to turn that baby loose. Even if your initial submission is to
a critique partner or group, don’t let fear stop you from getting the feedback
necessary to help you grow as a writer and produce the best work you can. Read
the last two sentences above – they apply here too. Keep writing while you wait
to hear back from your submission.
Revise,
Re-submit, Resale. This applies mostly to articles and essays but
sometimes you can even revise/rewrite a story and sell it elsewhere. Make sure
you abide by any current or previous contract limitations and if someone
doesn’t normally take reprints, be sure to let them know the extent of changes
you’ve made that add a whole new twist to the version you’re querying about or
submitting to them.
Promote. Okay
you’ve sold a book or two or a dozen articles. There will be no (or very few)
sales, reviews, or new opportunities, if you don’t let people know! Set up a
website, Facebook, Twitter, and Amazon Author Page. Spend a few hours a week
building your fan base and readership. When you do a book signing or speaking
engagement, ask for the name and address (email too) of everyone who buys a book!
This is your readership. Ask to add them to your mailing/newsletter list. Don’t
bombard them but keep in touch on a regular basis, whether that is monthly,
quarterly or even annually.
These
tips and hints apply to the craft of writing but here are a few more….
Keep good records. Writing is a business and even unpublished
authors can claim business expenses such as office supplies, ink, business
cards, etc. Check with a CPA or tax preparer and don’t miss out on these
valuable deductions especially when you begin to make money!
Take Care of Yourself. Sometimes life throws us a curve ball or hand grenade and we
have a hard time focusing on writing. Don’t worry about your career at this
point. Take the time you need to recover and/or regroup and start over. Real
writers never quit. We may take an extended leave of absence but at some point,
we always return to our passion.
Don’t Quit! Writing is a gift and a talent given to you by
God. Don’t hide your gift or bury your talent.
Dora here. If you could offer one morsel of valuable advice for new writers, what would it be?
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| Purchase Link |
Purchase Links:
Kindle http://amzn.to/18Zptxm
Nook http://bit.ly/13HR0xX
Smashwords http://bit.ly/1h4vmLr
Kindle http://amzn.to/18Zptxm
Nook http://bit.ly/13HR0xX
Smashwords http://bit.ly/1h4vmLr
Bio:
Award-winning author, Pamela S. Thibodeaux is the Co-Founder and a Lifetime
Member of Bayou Writers Group.
Multi-published in romantic fiction as well as creative non-fiction, her
writing has been tagged as, “Inspirational with an Edge!”™ and reviewed
as “steamier and grittier than the
typical Christian novel without
decreasing the message.”
Twitter: @psthib
