Advice For Writers

A great exercise to become a better writer is to remove the adverbs from your sentences and make them more colorful. For example, if you have the sentence: I punched Kyle quickly in the face. You could delete the adverb quickly and add a better description like: I punched Kyle in the face so hard that his cheeks percussed like a drum. An adverb is a word that modifies the verb, usually ending in ly. Quickly was the adverb in our example. Try and eliminate as many adverbs in you writing as possible and replace them with better descriptions.

There are two types of writers that are commonly discussed: plotters and pantsers. Plotters will plot out the entire novel before they begin. The outline phase takes much longer but these books normally require much less editing because they are well thought out in advance of any writing. Pantsers are writers that just write by the seat of their pants and see where the story takes them. This type of writing usually requires a lot more editing after the first glance.

My style is evolving but is a hybrid of these two techniques. I basically wrote The Sparks by the seat of my pants. I knew what the premise of the book would be but didn’t know all the details until I started writing. But that book required several rounds of edits. For The Flames, I used a technique that I call signposts. I outlined all the major events in the book and used them as guides in writing the story, although I didn’t outline every detail of the book in advance. I find that the story often changes as I start writing, so I like this style as the guideposts keep me on track but give me the flexibility for the story to evolve.

A good tip for developing a character is to answer three questions in detail: What does that character want? What would they do to get it? What made them want it? The more detail you use to develop these answers will help you to fill out the details about your character. I also recommend reading up on The Hero’s Journey by Joseph Campbell. It can help with creating a concise plot that is easy to follow.

Writing good dialogue requires you to be a good listener and observer. Pay attention to people talking and what they say and how they say it. Watch tv, movies, and read scripts. Maybe try writing your own scripts. Read the dialogue out loud and see if it sounds like normal people talking. It just takes practice.

Now you have to begin the editing process. Publishers want a book to be nearly perfect when they receive it. First, get friends or other people you respect to read and edit the book. Then, I always hire a professional editor. It’s expensive but very few people will take the time to give you 15 pages of detailed notes on your book. That level of editing is priceless to me.

Next, you have to write a synopsis of the book of the book. There are good online resources that give advice on writing a great synopsis. This has to be exciting and well written as agents won’t read your manuscript if they don’t like the synopsis. Most writers hate to write the synopsis but it’s a necessary evil.

Now you have to write a great query letter. A query letter should introduce you and any publishing experience or expertise that you have on the subject matter; give the type of book and word count along with the elevator pitch about what your book is about and why you are the best person to tell this story. I hired an editor to critique my query letter. I’ve heard agents say that they receive an average of 200 queries a week and they may sign three new authors a year. So you can see why it is so difficult to get an agent. Again there is good information online about query letters to get you started. I like Mark Malatesta and his website Literary Agent Undercover. He provides a detailed list of agents by genre and their contact information. I recommend keeping a spreadsheet to keep track of what agents you have queried, their response and dates you sent them requested materials. I would query about 20 agents and then wait and see if you are getting requests for more information. If not, you need to revamp your query letter. Mark Malatesta has a great blog and lots of resources to help you. I hired him for a one-hour call to critique my query letter and I found it worthwhile.

Accept feedback from agents as opportunities to learn and improve your book. Sometimes agents will give you feedback and this is a gift as they are very busy and normally just send a standardized rejection form if they aren’t interested. If they take the time to give you feedback, thank them for their time and seriously consider their suggestions. Always act in a professional, unemotional manner. This is your career so you must approach it with a businesslike attitude. Despite all this, I was unable to find an agent until I went to a writer’s conference and met with agents face to face. Having a great query letter was helpful in these meetings. There is a lot of valuable information at writing conferences so I recommend attending one.

Getting an agent seems to be like winning the lottery. It is really difficult as a first time author, but it is definitely the goal. The only way to get traditionally published is with an agent who will represent you to the editors at the publishing houses.

To get an agent, you have to write a great query letter. There is a lot of information online about writing query letters that is helpful. I went to a writing conference that allowed me to pay an editor to critique my query letter in advance of the conference. Then at the conference I was able to pay a fee to meet for 10 minutes with several different agents. Being able to sell myself in person was key. That is how I got my agent. So I recommend attending writing conferences to make these types of connections.

Getting published was a journey that is still evolving. Initially, I applied to the New York Writer’s Pitch conference. I had to fill out an application and send a sample of my manuscript. I was accepted and I got to spend three days in New York working on my pitch and then I was able to pitch my book to three publishers: Random House, Penguin and McMillan Press. Each requested the manuscript (it was the most requested manuscript at the conference!), so I felt like I had a sound idea. The conference director advised me to use the publisher interest to try to get an agent.

So, I began the process of sending query letters. I got some good advice from the agents I talked to. One advised me to hire a well-respected editor, as publishers expect manuscripts to be perfect, so I did that. Then another agent took the time to really ask me about my goals. I wanted the book to be read by as many people as possible and I wanted to get it published in a timely manner. She explained that—if I were lucky—the publishing process would take 3-5 years. She recommended that I meet with a small, independent publisher with a good reputation. They could meet my timing needs and I would have more input in the process, ensuring that I could retain some creative control of the final product. I met with the publisher she recommended and we hit it off immediately. So that’s how I published The Sparks.

As a kid, I lived in a fantasy world. I was always writing stories and getting my friends to act them out. I was in a multi-age class from 1 st -3 rd grade. I was lucky that my teacher gave us 30 minutes a day to write in our journals. I filled stacks of notebooks until I had finished my first manuscript. Having the chance to write everyday for three years got me in the habit of writing consistently.

Like a lot of kids, I hated middle school. I didn’t fit in and I was bullied a lot. Very few kids will tell you they rocked seventh grade. I was short, fat and had a bowl haircut. Writing gave me a chance to create a world that I could control. I tried to write 500 words a day. By high school, my goal was to write 1,000 words a day. So yes, I guess I always knew I would be a writer because it is a creative outlet that I need in my life.

Like being any type of artist, you should only do it because you love it, not for the money. The fact is most authors have to have a day job to pay the bills. There are exceptions but more than likely it won’t support you on its own, so don’t write for the money.

Yes, never stop writing. Write, and write and write, until you’ve got something that you like. Don’t be afraid to have a very rough copy of something. The editing process is terrible and long and arduous, but it’s something you have to do. What matters is getting something on paper and then really shaping it into what you are looking for. I find having a daily writing goal is key. I try and write 1,000 words/day. Some days I write more and some less, but I try and and average 1000 words/day.

Also read a lot of different types of books. Read non-fiction, fiction, magazines, etc. If you read a lot of different genres and types of books it will help you to find your own voice. If you only read Stephen King, you will start to sound like a knock off version of Stephen King. You need your own voice so read a variety of different things.

I wish I could but unfortunately I have my own publishing deadlines and don’t have time to read other people’s work anymore. You need someone to read your book that has the time to give a thorough edit. I have a small circle of people that read my early drafts and then I always hire a professional editor as they are paid to spend the time to give a thorough evaluation that is priceless to me. Other writers, English teachers, and interested friends can be good choices for early readers.