Dear Everyone,
A number of readers have contacted me, asking if I have any suggestions for aspiring writers. I’m putting together a series of posts in order to do this and I invite your questions in the comments below.
But to begin, I have four suggestions for writers.
First, write daily.
Second, find someone you trust who will offer constructive criticism of your writing.
Third, be organized.
Fourth, save the space.
1. Write daily
Whether writing is your hobby or your job, it’s important to write daily. Writing daily enables you to develop the habit of writing. It also encourages discipline, perseverance, and time management.
Writer’s block can be a serious problem for this discipline and so I’ll address that in a subsequent post. But my first piece of advice to aspiring writers is to write and to write something every day.
2. Find someone you trust who will offer constructive criticism of your writing
Every writer needs an editor. Every writer can improve. If you disagree with these two statements, I think you’ll find the practice of writing (and having your words read) difficult. But if you can accept the fact that we’re all human and we can all improve our writing, then hopefully, you’ll be open to receiving constructive criticism.
It’s important that you choose someone who you respect and trust to give you criticism. Then you’ll be more likely to accept their advice.
When you receive feedback on your writing, you will hear things you don’t want to hear. It’s possible you’ll disagree with your reader. But if your goal is to be the best writer you can be, then you have to be open to suggestions for improvement. You may have to make changes in your writing – such as getting rid of bad habits, learning proper grammar, spelling, and style, and avoiding cliches. You may have to adjust the way you write in order to make things clearer for your reader. Over time, if you’re open to criticism, I think you’ll find that your writing will improve.
3. Be organized
Writing a book is a large project. For any large project, you need to be organized. Start a file or a series of files in which you can put your notes, outlines, research, and character descriptions. Then when you need to look something up, you’ll know where to find it.
Be sure to back up your work consistently. Some writers do this by printing a hard copy of the manuscript and storing it off site, or by saving the files to a flash drive and storing it somewhere else. No matter how you do it, you want to be sure to have an extra copy of your manuscript somewhere safe. If something happens to your computer or your home, you’ll still have your manuscript.
4. Save the space
Depending on your situation, you might not be able to have a space that is designated solely for writing. But even if you’re writing at the kitchen table, try to make your space as comfortable as possible. Keep the area organized and tidy so that you aren’t distracted. If listening to music helps you shut out noise and interruptions, do it. Keep your research and notes in your writing space so that if you need them, they’re available. Don’t forget to include inspirational items such as paintings or artwork in your space. It’s amazing how beauty breeds beauty.
In the next few posts, I’ll answer some of your writing related questions. You can post those in the comments below.
In closing, I wish you all the best in your writing and good luck.
Thanks for reading,
SR
www.sylvainreynard.com
I am honoured to have had all three of my novels appear on the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller lists. I was a Semifinalist for Best Author in the 2011 and 2012 Goodreads Choice Awards. {
Thanks for these super tips. I’m starting to live in this world of writers and I confess that I practice some of the tips you use. As always, you are an amazing person, and when you shares tips, I want to evolve a lot in my writing and be just like you. Thanks.. <3
Yeah, I do agree with your tips.. but in number two…it’s just hard to find someone that can give me constructive criticism without being nosy about why I write this “genre” of story. Hoping to find one someday.
Anyways, I so love your books, I read each book with just a span of one and a half week. I wish I could be like you, Oh well, thanks for sharing this!
Thank you SR, like always.
Thank you, SR for taking the time out of your busy day to share your expertise with us. I didn’t take up writing until after I retired. After joining writing groups, I found it confusing to listen to 20 different opinions on one chapter, so I took your advice and found someone I could trust. She reviews books and does editing. It has made a big difference. I look forward to reading more of your helpful posts. Your books have inspired me in so many ways, and I look forward to your new series with much anticipation. Thanks again for sharing. xo
Very helpful, Ellie. I’ve hesitated joining a writer’s group, for various reasons. Vulnerability is only one of them.
Merci beaucoup pour vos précieux conseils, je prend note 馃檪
L’organisation et la discipline hummm, à travailler (oui j’ai un peu de mal ^^)
Hâte de lire vos prochains posts
Thanks, SR. I will consider everything you say. I have met with a fiction-writing coach several times, and have found her advice most helpful. But I have yet to find someone trusted who will read everything. I appreciate Ellie’s point of view: I don’t think I want 20 different opinions, either.
I am finding one of the most difficult parts in my novel is switching between the modern characters and the ones who are living in the past; which to have when, etc. There are so many possibilities for organization. Perhaps one just has to accept that there is not one “perfect” plan, and just be open to the possibilities of different presentations of the plot and characters.
I appreciate the time you dedicate to us, even taking some time of your next success! 馃檪
I believe your writing time organization is excellent! You’re teaching me, “Professor”! 馃槈
I dedicate myself to draw, paint and play music. I love it, I breathe it!
Stopped writing as a teenager, blocked … because I wrote a small text for school, something that fascinated everyone, even most of the teachers and my family, but they didn’t believe I had this other ability … never told anyone before… I didn’t want to be the center of attention in this respect, painting and music I shared with everyone, but writing was intimate, I was very reserved about what I’ve created… I was so sad!
But now I’m in a place in life I really enjoy, reading more, getting consumed by it, I feel awake and maybe I’ll start to write again!
One question:
Starting the file in which you can put your notes, outlines, research, and character descriptions, yes that’s a good way to start, but what if in the middle of the story you begin to hate your biggest character behavior, even if it’s true to the description you wanted? A lot of work there 馃檪
Sorry about my English, I’m Portuguese and I live in Portugal too, so … but I read yes I need to read everything I put my hands on in English, or the author’s native tongue, I feel close to their minds and heart, I guess… I’m so weird!
Maybe I’ll start to write anonymous and in English, my minds drifts off in English nowadays!
Thank you SR!
Your friendly fan,
Monica Sofia
Pardon me, Monica for stepping in, but I’m impressed by your letter to SR. Never give up on your dream because it’s God’s gift to you.
Thank you!
Another question, SR. I am finding that I sometimes have what I think are wonderful ideas for my plot, and then several days later they seem less than appropriate (these wonderful ideas seem more likely to appear at 3 or 4 a.m.). I find it is a struggle, sometimes, to release these ideas. Perhaps the writer needs to build a graveyard for these “orphans” where they can rest easily, or be resurrected for future stories. The outtakes you share with us are different: they are related to your story, but perhaps were excised for reasons of length and focus.
Excellent post, SR. Every point is spot on. You have to find what works for you and as in nearly every other thing in life, what works for one does not necessarily work for all. As someone who works with and edits for different writers regularly, I’m going to paraphrase one of my favorite writers, Diana Gabaldon. She is fond of saying, ‘ballerinas weren’t born on toe shoes.’ Learning to dance takes a lot of practice, so does writing.
And one of the absolutely hardest things is that we ( writers) are always comparing our in-progress work to the finished work of others. It is an endlessly humbling experience.
Hello from Venezuela… I love your advices, I’ll try to follow them. I write like a hobby but I love it. Actually, I have a blog (mipuntodevistafelino.blogspot.com) and I write in Spanish, although I have one written in English. My favorite way to write it have to be with music and that’s help me when I write something full of feelings or funny or angry moments in the story. I would like to read more about The Professor and Julianne, I hope you give us a 4th book… Kisses and hugs toeverybody here, from Venezuela. Xoxo.
Perling Lagarde
Hello from Venezuela… I love your advices, I’ll try to follow them. I write like a hobby but I love it. Actually, I have a blog and I write in spanish, although I have one written in english. My favorite way to write it have to be with music and that’s help me when I write something full of feelings or funny or angry moments in the story. I would like to read more about The Professor and Julianne, I hope you give us a 4th book… Kisses and hugs to everybody here, from Venezuela. Xoxo.
Perling Lagarde
Dear SR:
Thank you for your wonderful suggestions and I look forward to reading more of your tips as well as your art on paper.
Thank you.
Sara R. Rice
I´ll keep all your words in mind. Thanks, SR