Top tips of 2013
Every week, I share a tip with writers, a trick you forget to use in your own manuscript, but makes a big difference in the rhythm and feel of a novel. Some, you can
make use of immediately. Others, file away for that cranky day when your writing limps along and you don’t know why.
Here are the Top Ten according to my readers:
- 17 Tips on How to Market Your Books Online
- Writers Tip #5: Beware the gerund
- How do you get readers to trust you?
- 10 Tips Guaranteed to Rescue Your Story
- Writer’s Tip #95: 8 Tips from Janet Burroway
- 12 ways Twitter Makes You a Better Writer (and Person)
- 4 Tips for Writing Humor
- The 15 Biggest Writing Blunders (And How To Avoid Them)
- 6 Things I Wish I’d Known When I Started Blogging
- 10 Tips from David Gerrold
Please share: If you were asked to give a new writer one tip, what would that be?
Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. She is webmaster for six blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice book reviewer, a columnist for Examiner.com and TeachHUB, Editorial Review Board member for Journal for Computing Teachers, a freelance journalist on tech ed topics, and a monthly contributor to Today’s Author. In her free time, she is editor of a K-8 technology curriculum and technology training books for how to integrate technology in education. Currently, she’s editing a thriller that should be out to publishers next summer. Contact Jacqui at her writing office or her tech lab, Ask a Tech Teacher.
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Great list here, and so convenient having it all in one easy place.
As for my one tip: Find or create a writing community. Much easier said than done, especially as finding the right community is difficult. Still, a writer must be read by one who is willing to give useful feedback.
Other than that, write your heart out. No sincerity, no story worth reading.
Ah, 2 tips!
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To me, the writer community is as much about humility as help. I learn that I am not the great communicator, that my passion isn’t everyone else’s. Then, I have to decide what to do about that.
Sincerity–you’re right. that’s the key. Even if I disagree with someone, I love reading how they develop their argument with heart and brain.
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I’m so glad you put links to these top ten in one place. I’ve found so many great tips here, and I’ve highlighted and saved a bunch to my Evernote notebooks, but having the links all in one place is the best yet. Between you, James Scott Bell, and Ninie Hammon, I should eventually become one of the best writers out there. LOL
As for my one tip for new writers: Be willing to rewrite, and use a professional editor to know how. I am strong on editing and critiques, and yet I find my own bad writing over and over again. I just found a picture on my Facebook page where I had written “from left to write” instead of “from left to right,” and I put that up over a year ago. It’s so embarrassing even though it was probably due to where my mind was and not to poor writing skills. Still…we ALL need editors, even the editors. 🙂
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I think editing is one of the fun parts of writing. I throw my ideas out there and then refine them until I’m saying what I really mean. Sure, some writers can do that in one draft, but I can’t and I’m OK with that.
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That’s a perfect description of why I like the edit and rewrite process too. That’s why I like writing for communication as well. Talking doesn’t give you as much time to think first, and it doesn’t give you any editing tinge until after what you’ve said is misinterpreted. I think the hardest part is feeling like something is “perfect” enough for a publisher.
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How do you get readers to trust you? Is one of my favourites I need some time to go over the others. Thanks Jacqui your site will be really helpful this year. trying to finish novel from nano.
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Let me know if/when you publish your children’s book. I want to buy it just so I can say I helped!
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when I eventually publish the picture book, you my friend would get a free copy…as would all my beta readers….illustrations are painfully slow and need doing over and over….fifteen minutes a day…usually goes into longer time…just starting helps. Thanks Jacqui.
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Pingback: [Reblog] Top 10 Tips for Writers. | Daniel Ionson
An excellent compilation. Reblogging this.
Daniel
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Aren’t you nice, Daniel.
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Reblogged this on Charles Ray's Ramblings.
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Thanks for the reblog, Charlie.
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This is a wonderful list. I hate the gerund the most. 😀
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Gerunds always come up in my writing group–they’re so darn passive, they stick out like– well, can’t say it in polite company, but there’s a great simile that has to do with sticking out and showing up.
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My brain is in ruins. Can’t think of the simile. 😦
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It’s got to do with blue pigs and that’s all I’m going to say.
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Brilliant !!!
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Thanks! Glad you could stop by. I enjoyed your blog.
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: ) thanks Jacqui, and I yours.
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Awesome bunch of tips! Will definitely look into them. Thanks!
http://ravitejatadimalla.wordpress.com/2014/01/05/why-sometimes-it-is-good-to-be-deaf/
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Thanks, Ravi. I notice you and I are both at 0% on our reading goals. That’s gonna change, innit!
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Haha yes 😛 Will definitely notify you when mine changes 😛 🙂
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My tip would be to start following Jacqui. I’m feeling smarter now.
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Aww…I need a sis like you.
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