Thanks to Anthony James Barnett Author of 'Without Reproach' from The Writing Mafia on Linked in...
Novel Writing tips....
New writers sometimes have story ideas and leap to their laptoptops to start writing in the heat of the moment. If you're tempted to do this - don't. Stop! Take notes, jot down the ideas, then take some time to analyse just what the story idea is all about.
Write about things you know.
If you're not familiar with the background of what it is you want to write about, you sure as hell should find out BEFORE starting to write – get out and do your RESEARCH!
Writing in the white heat of excitement is great, but only if you have the facts at your fingertips. Writing isn't just about inspiration and art. Successful writing is 1% inspiration and 99% persperation.
Think hard about the subject matter before your story plot gets really out of hand. Is there sufficient storyline to see a whole book through or is there only enough for a short story?
Make sure you understand the setting where your story is to take place, because if you don't, neither will your readers.
Make sure of your facts - I once read a story where the author talked about the beautiful scent from bougainvillea – I have several bougainvillea plants in my garden – NONE OF THEM SMELL! I've never picked up anything by that author since.
If you’ve only ever lived in a village, forget about suburban machinations unless you have some means of getting to grips with it.
Make sure you’re familiar with the lives your characters lead.
Make sure you have knowledge of what’s involved in the careers your characters have.
Don’t let your hero be a lawyer unless you know about the legal profession. Don’t be persuaded to write about the Jet Set if you only have your information from watching shows or reading fiction. If you do, you take on board second-hand knowledge, and believe me; it WILL show.
First-hand knowledge
All authors eventually write about areas of life they are unfamiliar with. We have to, otherwise our writing becomes very
limited. However, as a newbie, if you need to write about stuff that you don’t have first-hand knowledge of, research the facts, not someone else's fiction. If you regurgitate someone else's fiction it will be obvious to someone who really does know - and Sod's Law says someone who knows, is bound to read it.....
You are unique
Don't be afraid to write about your own job, or your own locality. No matter how monotonous you imagine your life is, or how dull your job sounds, other people will find them intriguing – because your life is out of the ordinary compared to their
own.
Don’t ever forget that what you have, what you do, is unique. Celebrate in your uniqueness and write....
And, the Seventh Tip not included in this article is
Every Story must have a VILLIAN!
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