All my life as a writer, I seem to have collected bits of advice from experienced authors.  Many of them are cliches, but nevertheless some of them just might serve as an inspiration for you.  Off the top of my head, here are a few of them:

 

Write a book you’d like to read.  If you wouldn’t read it, why would anyone else?

Make yourself a place to write , no matter how small – a quiet space where it’s just you, your pen and a notebook or laptop/computer.

Agatha Christie wrote that the best time for planning a book was while you were doing the dishes.

Trust your reader. Not everything needs to be explained. If you know something, and breathe life into it, they’ll know it too.

Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader – not the fact that it’s raining, but the feeling of being rained upon. (E.L. Doctorow)

Don’t hold on to poor work. If it was bad when it went into the drawer,  it will be just as bad whet comes out.

Even great writers admit to poor first drafts – so you’re in good company.

Try to read your own work as a stranger would read it, or even better, as an enemy would.

The less conscious one is of being ‘a writer’ the better the writing.

And my favourite:  Forget all the rules.  Forget about being published.  Write for yourself, and celebrate writing.

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I’m always happy to hear your comments, and to help with any writing problems.  My latest novel (no. 14)  is “Searching for Sarah” and is available from me direct at discount. I also have copies of “In A Good Pasture” and “Esther” available. You can contact me at:

dwaysman@gmail.com.   Happy writing.