10 Pieces of Writing Wisdom

I thought I'd share some of the things I've learned firsthand from authors and some pieces of advice passed on from other authors.

1.) "Write what you read. You'll already be aware of the parameters of a certain type of story." - I've been told this by too many writers to attribute it to just one person.  For example in cozy mysteries, the murder always occurs off stage. In the case of romance novels, the story will always have a happily ever after ending.

2.) "Be prepared to work long and hard, perhaps for no compensation beyond experience." - Claire Delacroix.  One always hears of the author who makes the best seller list(s) with the very first manuscript they ever wrote. While this does happen, it's definitely not the norm.

3.) "Set regular times during the week when you must write." - Gil Sanderson.  I've found this to be true. When I follow a regular writing schedule, I accomplish so much more than when I just try to squeeze it when I can.

4.) "You have to grab your reader's attention right away so your first sentence, first paragraph, even the first page are of utmost importance." - I've been told this by many writers as well.

5.) "Beginnings set up the dominoes. By the end of chapter 3, every key element of the story should be in place." - Ruthie Knox.  This goes along with #4.

6.) "Try to end each chapter with a cliff hanger. This will keep the reader turning the pages. The last thing you want is for the reader to set the book down and not pick it back up again." - Lorna Barrett

7.) "Your cast of supporting characters should reflect what your protagonist needs." - Hallie Ephron

8.)  "Know the rules of writing, but don't be afraid to break those rules to write the story you need to." -  Debra Dixon

9.) "Make your main character(s) likable. Readers sympathize with the characters. If your main character acts like a jerk for half the book, don't expect too many readers to like him/her." - Ruthie Knox

10.) "In the end, either you have the cojones to write and keep writing, or you don't. No amount of good advice will make a damn bit of difference. It's like exercise. There are health experts everywhere who will tell you what you need to do, but unless you have the discipline to make yourself sweat, it doesn't matter in the least." - Mark Jenkins

This I know for sure...

School started this week for my school district. Wednesday was the first day. Isn't it strange how you can get out of a 10 month routine in a few weeks? And then trying to get back into that routine seems like something you've never done before and that it takes more effort than it should? That's been this week.

I'm going to make a few changes next week to hopefully make the transition from the freedom of summer back to the school routine smoother. If you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them. :o)

What's Up Wednesday

This week...

My current WIP (work in progress): I finished going through the comments and suggestions from my critique partner on the first third of the book. Onward to finish the first round of revisions.

Quote of the week: "If you can't stop thinking about it, don't stop working for it." ~ Unknown

What I'm reading: Second Chance Summer by Jill Shalvis.  This is the first book in her Cedar Ridge series. Unfortunately, her Lucky Harbor series has come to an end.

Random things:  I went to visit my nephew over the weekend. He lives about an hour and 45 minutes away with his fiancee. They live in a thriving college community, but to get to their town, you have to drive through miles and miles of open farm land. As I wasn't driving, I was able to enjoy the scenery. It did make me miss not having a yard where I could grow vegetables. I do have a small patch of grass in our "backyard." It's about 3 feet by 4 feet. While I love living in our townhouse where I don't have to worry about mowing the lawn or shoveling snow, I do miss being able to garden. I've tried container gardening with little to no success.

Random Photo of the Week:

This car was parked a few houses down on our street. It's such an unusual color. It reminded me of a shade of nail polish. 

Happy Labor Day

                       I hope you and your family enjoy the last holiday of the summer.

This I know for sure...

Laundry has never been one of my favorite things to do. And now I have another reason to not like it. Wednesday night I was carrying a laundry basket full of linens downstairs when slipped down the last two stairs. I thought I was on the last stair, however there was still one left. I was able to catch myself by letting go of the laundry basket and grabbing the newel post, but I did end up twisting my ankle. Or so I thought.

By Thursday morning it was so swollen and painful to walk on, I decided I'd better be seen by the doctor. I have a Grade 3 sprain which I'm told is the most severe type of sprain and I also fractured one of the bones in my ankle. My foot will spend the next several weeks like this:

What's Up Wednesday

This week...

My current WIP (work in progress): I'm finishing up the changes/suggestions my critique partner made and then taking the next few days off for the Labor Day holiday.

Quote of the week: “Good writing is rewriting.” ~Truman Capote  I thought this was appropriate since I've been working for revisions.

What I'm reading: I just finished Fatal Deception by Marie Force this morning before work. I tried to finish it last night as I only had about 20 pages left, but I kept falling asleep. I'm going to start The Liar by Nora Roberts later this evening. My sister just finished it and raved over it.

Random things:  I received a wonderful compliment from an unexpected source. This person read both Impetuous and An Unexpected Gift. He is very alpha male and has never read a romance novel before. An extended family member told him I had written the books so he read them out of curiosity. He said I was a very good writer. 

Random Photo of the Week:

                                                   Dash using me as a pillow.