WriteWorks

I get asked for advice about being a writer from time to time, and I will say upfront I wouldn’t consider myself an expert on how to do it. I have learned a lot from experience, so if you wamt to give it a try, please read on.

I have some book recommendations farther down as well.

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Writing Advice

• Write something everyday. It doesn’t matter what it is, but it will help. Any skill you don’t use becomes rusty, so try to write whatever it is, but do so properly using correct grammar and punctuation. I see so much writing out there with typos, or written like a text message. I still have typos from time to time, but the practice goes a long way.
• Make it easy to capture ideas. I’ve woken up in the middle of the night, remembering a part of a dream that could be a good idea. I’ll grab my phone and jot a note, or I won’t remember it come morning. Are all the ideas good, no, but some are. Inspiration can come from so many places if you let yourself look. One of things I’ve found that helps is listening to instrumental music when I write. It allows something in the background that doesn’t distract.
• Read something everyday. This helps keep you in touch with what’s popular, and it exposes you to several writing styles. I don’t suggest this as a means to steal ideas, but you’ll be exposed to new vocabulary, and new mechanisms to bring a story idea to life. Many writers, myself included, give readers an opportunity to get the first volume of series for free. Signing up at bookbub.com with your preferences is an easy way to access these free books.
• Check for local or online writing groups and forums. There are a lot of options out there where you can get help and answers from other writers. Fictionary is one such forum (link on acknowledgements page). It’s a great group of people that will answer questions and help. Most larger cities will have some type of voluntary writing group that meets from time to time, allowing your work to be discussed, and you to help others the same way.
• Get feedback from someone you don’t know. This could mean paying for an editor, or finding a fellow reader that’s worried about your craft instead of your feelings. It can be hard tp hear that something isn’t very good, or needs work, but those moments offer a lot of learning. You learn how to get up, dust yourself all, and press on by falling down first.

Book Recommendations

As I mentioned, I read pretty much everyday. I’ve discovered a few authors that I really enjoyed over the years, and this is not an all-inclusive list.

Dean Koontz – he has so many that are good, I can’t list them all here. My two favorites are “Watchers” and “Lightning”

“Dragons of Deceit” by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman – first of a new trilogy taking the reader back to Krynn.

“Fire of the Sorceress” by Krista Walsh – first in a series

“Grave Cargo” by Jami Gray – first in a series

“Agent Zero” by Jack Mars – first in a series

“Dark Descent” by Nicole R. Taylor – first in a series

“Flight of the Kingfisher” by Chloe Garner

Currently Reading

“Sky Haven” by Melanie Bokstad Horev – this won’t be released until August 10, 2024, but I was lucky enough to get an ARC (advance reader copy).

I’m only to chapter eight, and the setting alone is worth five stars! It’s like Mortal Engines meets Bioshock Infinite and had a steampunk baby. It feels like your there, and I’ve had trouble putting it down. The author gives you just enough to ask questions that you want answered, and skillfully reveals the plot points you need to know in a way that keeps you hooked!

Until next time,