© 2009 Susan Lohrer

Tips

Published authors offer tips for aspiring writers

Nikki Arana
Don’t personalize rejection: “A huge dose of hyperbolical slang, maudlin sentimentalism, and tragic-comic bubble and squeak.” —William Harrison Ainsworth, New Monthly Magazine, review of Moby Dick by Herman Melville (1851). Still not convinced? “Shakespeare's name, you may depend on it, will go down. He has no invention as to stories, none whatever.” —Lord Byron (1814) www.nikkiarana.com

Terry Burns
Easy, never give up. Eighty-five percent of all those who try their hand at writing never substantially publish, but I don't know of anybody the market has told to put down the pen and quit writing. They get discouraged, they give up, they stop learning and growing in their craft. They quit. Publishing is about getting the right product in front of the right person at the right place at exactly the right time. All of those pieces, and others, are not in place often, and it takes perseverance to make it happen. Yup, that's my advice, never give up. www.terryburns.net

Mary Connealy
1) Read and write. That's fundamental. The reading is the textbook, the writing is the homework. Read the masters, read how-to books, read for inspiration, read pulp fiction, read the newspaper, you're learning second. And write. Every day if possible. Just keep putting words on paper, you're learning and you're getting a book finished.
2) Rejection is just the name of the game. If you can't stand it, then get out! Don't pick this as your goal if you can't stand the rejection. What you need to do is, take all your rejection letters and mash them up with glue and use them to papier-mâché yourself a thick hide. You'll need it to survive as a writer. www.maryconnealy.com
 
Lena Nelson Dooley
The only authors who get published are the ones who keep submitting their work. www.lenanelsondooley.com

Sharon Dunn
While doing solid research is important, it does not automatically create a good story and should never become more important than the story. Invest as much time in character development and story structure as you spend on research. A reader may forgive the inaccuracy of a police procedure or historical fact, but she will not keep reading a book with characters she can’t relate to and a story that is stalled out. www.sharondunnbooks.com

Robert Elmer
Look for the places that are most desperate for words. They're out there—mainly in journalism. Day after day, newspapers NEED decent copy to fill their columns—so why not have someone like us who will do their job for them! In exchange, we as writers can sharpen our craft, learn to become friends with deadlines, thicken our editing skin (everybody needs a good editor) and collect a few bylines in the process. Write for a newspaper—I did! www.robertelmerbooks.com

Rhonda Gibson
Keep God First And Don't Give Up! www.rhondagibson.com

Maureen Lang
When you find yourself "dry" or suffering writer's block, pick up a really well-written book, one you're excited to be reading, one you can hardly put down and when you do you can't wait to get back to it. That's what gets me back on track, because I can't wait to try my own hand at writing something I don't want to put down. Inspiration seems to be contagious. www.maureenlang.com

Jude McCoy
The best tip that was ever given to me was to join a group that focused on a genre, not just a general writer's group. www.awriterstoolbox.com

Vickie McDonough
Network with other writers. Meet fellow writers in online writers' groups, critique groups, and at conferences. You'll be greatly encouraged by people who have voices in their heads, just like you. Also, you never know where networking will take you. I first got published as a result of networking and getting to know other writers; maybe you will too. www.vickiemcdonough.com

Amber Miller
Writer's block is something that affects every writer. When I get stuck in the middle of a chapter or can't get a scene to work out, I take a break and try again later. However, that doesn't always work. Sometimes, I have ideas for scenes that come later in the book. So I skip the parts that aren't working and write the ones that flow well. Then I go back and fill in the gaps. It's amazing how much easier it is to write a scene when you know where it's going. www.ambermiller.com

Nancy Moser
Be willing to edit your work—dramatically if necessary. (I once cut 74,000 words from a manuscript—forty-one percent!) Editors appreciate a writer who is willing to listen to suggestions—and implement them. Not that you have to change everything that is suggested, but you do have to offer an open mind in order to make the book its best. That is the ultimate goal. This trait is so important to editors that a writer can increase his or her career through willing cooperation, while the career of an uncooperative writer can be ended. Listen, labor—and learn. www.nancymoser.com

Camy Tang
As a writer, if you take care of your body, the writing comes easier. It's hard when you've been chasing kids and/or working a full-time job, but a couple of small changes can help fuel your creativity. Take a ten-minute stretch or walking break every hour. Another option is to stand as you work, whether with your laptop or elevating your monitor and keyboard at your desk. Drink lots of water. Keep a water bottle by your desk. Just a few small changes can help your writing tenfold! www.camytang.com

MaryLu Tyndall
Be humble, willing to learn, and take advice/correction from knowledgeable sources. Learn all the rules of writing: point of view, character development, plot, structure, action, dialogue, setting, etc., and then when you sit down to write, forget them all! Jump headfirst into your scene as if you were really there, plug in some inspiring music, close your eyes, and visualize the characters, their expressions, the surroundings, the smells, the tastes, the sounds, the sensations, and write your heart out. Then go back and apply all the rules later. And most of all, have fun! Because if you’re not having fun, neither will your readers. www.mltyndall.com

Mark Twain
Substitute damn every time you’re inclined to write very ; your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be. (Contributed by Nikki Arana.)