3rd Installment: Writing Tips

Here's another list of tips that you may or may not find usefull. It really depends on what you already know about writing. Again, there's more helpful tips about the writing career including editing tips on my website at http://writingforall.com

• Ideas are a dime a dozen and you can't "own" an idea. Because everyone is different with their own experiences, each idea will be shared differently. With that said, if someone else has the same idea, don't let it bother you. Tell your story to the best of your ability. There is no bad idea. You're not going to please everyone. As long as you enjoy telling your story, someone else will too. Keep that positive attitude and keep writing.
• Don't ever let anyone tell you, you're not good enough to write your story. There's always going to be obstacles that will stop you from writing. Push through them. You will become a better writer but you have to keep moving forward.
• Find "your" place to write in. Everyone has their own personal space where they write better. If your imagination flows better in the tub while soaking in bubbles, go for it. If you write better in a bar with someone singing karaoke in the corner, go for it. If you need complete silence, that's great too. Find your own space and stick to it. By keeping a "writing only" space, others will see you're busy while you're there and there may be less chances of you being bothered.
• The same goes for time. If you truly want to be a writer, you have to make time. Keeping a schedule may help. Only do "writing" things on the time you have set for that time. That includes research, sending out query letters, editing, and even reading. Don't make excuses why you can't write because there's "no time". Even five minutes a day is better than nothing. You can actually get a lot of writing done in five minutes. I've done it many times.
• There's always going to be someone who can write better. Improve your writing by writing. Take courses, join writing groups, meet other writers. Its time to begin acting like a professional because once you're published, you are a professional. Each book you write, will be better than the last one you wrote and many readers know that. Experience is the key so make your experience and keep writing.

Remember this, you are a writer. Whether you chose it, or it chose you; that's who you are. No matter how long it takes to get that book published, its worth the pain when you meet your fans! Keep that with you while you write, edit, and slave over your work to make it the best you can make it. It will happen only if you believe in yourself.

Amber Rigby Grosjean

http://www.argrosjean.com