7 Simple Writing Tips
Here are a few words of advice (and encouragement) that I have learned over the past decade that may help you on your writing journey:
1.) Always be professional in your responses to agents, publishers, your readers - anyone for that matter. You will come across as someone who would be easy to work with and a pleasure to know. There is no room for rudeness or sloppy, poorly written correspondences.
2.) Never, and I mean never, vent to an agent, editor, or publisher who passes on your submission. Your work my not fit in with their current focus, but that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t fit in at a different time or with another publication/agency. Don’t burn possible bridges for your future. You know agents talk to each other, right?
3.) DO NOT give up! The writing world can have many side roads, detours, and hazards along the way, but hang in there. If you continue to do the work, you WILL gain some traction in publishing. Keep going!
4.) Celebrate your victories. Any time you have something published, especially your first short form piece or book, make sure you acknowledge your accomplishments. They will keep you moving forward. Also make sure you note them in your author’s bio.
5.) Submit your work to the proper agent, editor, publisher, etc. Take the time to thoroughly research where your submission fits. If you have a Young Adult graphic novel, please do not send it to an agent who is only looking for cookbooks or interior design coffee table books. You will get a no (or more likely no response). Read through each agent’s bio to see who would best represent your work. The same goes for magazine articles, blogs, or publishers. Make sure your submission is what they are looking for. Rejections will happen, but at least give yourself a fighting chance by delivering something they are currently looking for.
6.) Read, read, read. I cannot say this enough. Reading other people’s work in your genre, and not in your genre, will open your mind to experiencing other writer’s voices, styles, and personalities. The more you read, the more your own work will take on depth and new life - trust me on this.
7.) Practice, practice, practice. Did I mention practice? Like any other skill, writing requires you to sit down and work at it. The more you develop a devotion to your writing, the better your skills will become. If you write novels, why not try flash fiction? If you write poetry, why not create a short story? Push yourself to move beyond only what is comfortable for you. Open yourself up to the beautiful world of the written word.
