Writing Tips

Remember your story is important. Only you can tell the story you're writing. And underneath the crap is a shinning jewel waiting to emerge.

Make a list of all your projects. This will help you organize and prioritize your work.

Have more than one pen on you. There is nothing worse than jotting down the most amazing thought and your pen runs out and you don't have another one.

A great thing I learned early on was to carry a notebook with me to jot down ideas. That little gem has saved me so many times.

Submit short stories and essays- for example to Magazines. It's an avenue to getting published. Book editors like to see that you're published somewhere or scheduled to be published. It feels really good to put that on your query or cover letter.

Join or form a critique group. Not only will it help your writing, you will also be able to help others improve theirs while establishing your own writing community.

Never send a manuscript out after one revision. You always miss something, and you will probably miss it several times.

Spell Check is your best friend.

It is OK to walk away from your manuscript to get a new perspective. Remember great ideas don't always come on schedule.

Read writing magazines, read the comics, just read something you didn't write today.

Go to a writer’s events and network.

Write something every day. It will keep you focused on your work. The worst thing a writer can do is not write.

NaNoWriMo Tips
Do not beat yourself up. Do not criticize your writing as lousy, inadequate, stupid or other evil things that you are heaping on yourself. Bashing yourself is not useful. When your mind turns on you, stand up for yourself, stamp it down and keep on writing.

If you're not happy with how your story is going, turn off the screen and keep on typing. Don't turn it back on until the crisis is over.

Don't check word count more often than ever 15 minutes.

Short words count just as much as long ones.

When you run out of plot ideas, write out setting and what each character is wearing, in wonderful wordy detail.

Remember the infinite monkey theory: Endless key strokes will eventually produce Shakespeare or at least words and maybe a story.

Never Edit.

Never Ever go Back.

Write everyday. Even if you only get 100 words down. That is 100 words you didn't have when you started.

Don't think of the 50,000 in the first two weeks. Think in 1,000's. Your brain can easily spill out 1,000 words. Once you're there you could easily get a few hundred more.

Don't edit while you write. Keep on plugging along. There will be plenty of time to make it pretty in December.

Don't spell check your work. This is your opportunity to be sloppy about your writing. Don't worry the writing community will forgive you.

Write with a group either in person or online. Your group will keep you accountable and motivated.

Write a beginning, middle, and end. If you're not careful you could hit 50,000 words and only be half way done.

Expect ups and downs. You'll be flying high for the first couple of days. Then you may fall behind in word count and start doubting you can finish. Don't give up and you will finish.