Writing Tips
I'm not a perfect writer by any means, but I've learned some things along the way and I've gotten publishing contracts on my own. Allow me to share them here.
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As with any advice, if this doesn't resonate with you, then please, don't take it. Always do what feels right for you and your story. Trust in that writer's intuition! And remember - there are many paths to getting an agent and getting published, all of them valid. This advice is what worked for me but might not work for you. It's by no means perfect.
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First, let's start with your manuscript.
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Before you even think about getting an agent or getting published, you MUST finish your manuscript and make sure it’s polished and top-notch. That means writing THE END and doing your own edits on it. I also recommend using FREE websites like Grammarly and HemingwayEditor. They will point out grammatical errors and issues in your manuscript.
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Make sure your manuscript also looks professional. The standard font is Times New Roman, 12 pt. Put your full name, book title, and page numbers in the margins, as well as a plain cover page with the book title and your name. Double-space your paragraphs and use the "blank page" feature to separate your chapters. Keep it simple and don't try to use pretty fonts or decorate your manuscript. That comes later when your book has been sold. Make sure to use proper indentation for paragraphs in Microsoft Word (don't just indent with your spacebar). Agents and publishers both prefer Microsoft Word documents, something you should learn all the features of. You should compile your whole manuscript into one document using the formatting information above.
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I recommend getting someone to look over your manuscript. You may decide to hire an editor for this. (You can find editors on Indeed, Upwork, Fiverr, and Twitter. Make sure they're experienced, reputable, and have good reviews.) But since they cost anywhere from $700 to $1,000 dollars to edit your full manuscript, you may choose not to. (Why do they charge so much? They’re combing through your whole manuscript, line by line – and that’s no small feat.) It may be worth it to hire an editor, but if you can’t, no worries. I didn’t have one.
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If you can’t afford an editor, you could get a friend or family member to read it and get their honest opinion. They MUST be impartial and not afraid to tell you the truth. You could also look for a beta reader. What’s a beta reader? Someone who will read your manuscript for you for FREE and give their honest opinion. You can find them through Twitter and online message boards.
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The same goes for critique partners. They're usually writers who look over your manuscript and give their opinion. You can offer to do the same for them. Writers can't always see their own mistakes, so it's important to have honest, outside opinions.
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No one can tell you what or how to write. That’s all up to you. I really recommend reading a lot of books (or consuming other forms of fiction, like video games, movies, TV shows, and comic books) in your chosen genre to understand what the market is like. I read 80 books in 2020. Now, you don’t need to read THAT many, but you get my point. Make sure to read RECENT novels in your chosen genre to see what publishers and agents are looking for. Writing styles change as the years go by.
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On that note, DON’T write for a trend. It will most likely take you YEARS to get published, and trends change. Make sure to LOVE what you’re writing – always.
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Once you’ve done that, you need to decide what genre your book is. Science fiction? Mystery? What’s the subgenre? Romance fantasy? Mystery horror? Google is your friend when it comes to understanding genres. Then figure out the age group.
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Picture books are for young children. You DON’T need an illustrator for it when you query. The publisher will connect you with one if they want your picture book. (If you're looking for more information on writing picture books and understanding their layout, author Tara Lazar has a great blog post about it: here. Just click for the link.) Middle grade is for children usually 8 to 12, young adult is for 13 to 18, and adult is for, well, adults. Make sure to research the appropriate word count.
Those are the most popular age groups, but little age groups exist between them, too - upper and lower YA, as well as upper and lower MG. There's also a New Adult age category, as well as chapter books. (As always, please research the heck out of your chosen genre and age group. Knowledge is very important as a writer. Sometimes it's okay to break the rules, but you should know them first!)
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Adult is usually 80k to 90k words. That’s the sweet spot. Same goes for young adult (also called YA). Middle grade (or MG) would be 50k to 70k-ish, while picture books are kept under 500 words. Novellas are usually 10k to 40k, but I aim for 30k. (Novella word counts depend a lot on publishers and their submission guidelines.) When you're drafting, don't worry about a word count. Just focus on getting the story down and writing a satisfying conclusion. In the editing process, you'll most likely cut words, anyway. I've definitely known exceptions to occur with word counts (either higher or lower) if the story calls for it.
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Depending on the age group and word count I'm aiming for, I usually write 2500 words to 3500 words in a chapter. My books normally consist of anywhere from 25 to 30 chapters. Writing chapters that are too long can be a turn-off to many readers and agents, so make sure to do it right and keep it entertaining if you have long chapters. It comes down to individual author style and preference when deciding to make your chapters long or short.
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Should you write prologues and epilogues? I did for my first six books. However, most agents and publishers have built up a strong DISLIKE for prologues, so you may want to exclude it. After all, why can't the prologue be part of chapter one? Some readers will skip prologues. Epilogues may be okay - I sometimes use them to tie up loose ends in a book. Exercise caution here with both of them.
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Do you need a degree to write? No, absolutely not. An English or Creative Writing degree CAN be helpful, but it’s not required. I’ve never been asked about it by anyone. Instead, you should be dedicated to self-improvement. There are many free exercises online to help improve your writing. I don't have a degree. YouTube and Google will help you, and it's what I've used for years.
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Is there an age limit to being a writer? Nope - though, you should be 18 at least, I'd say. Contracts will be involved and you need to be a legal adult. You can get an agent at age 80, so don't despair if you're older than me!
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Do you need to be an English genius or have perfect grammar to be a writer? Nope! That's what spellcheck is for. Nora Roberts has famously said she isn't a good speller!
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Does your book have to be perfect to get an agent or publisher? Also no! Both agents and publishers understand that every book benefits from editing, and when they're reading your manuscript - if they like it and are seriously considering signing you - often keep edit notes for you later on. I've seen many traditionally published books with typos and plot holes! Writers are human, and humans are imperfect. Still, you should try to make your plot and book as clean and straightforward as possible.
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Some quick tips on finishing your first draft that worked for me:
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Don't edit until your manuscript is completely finished.
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As an exercise, try to condense your novel into a logline - one line of what it's about. If you can't, the main plot may be convoluted. As Albert Einstein said, "if you can't explain something simply, you don't understand it well enough." Good writing is coherent and makes sense. Even fantasy and sci-fi can be easily understood if the main plot is strong. In fact, agents may ask for a logline!
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A logline should explain the setting, protagonist, problem, antagonist, conflict/problem, and goal. Look at the logline for STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE: "A spirited farmboy joins a rebellion to save a princess from a sinister imperial enforcer - and the galaxy from a planet-destroying weapon." Sounds simple, right? It is!
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A novel doesn't have to be completely original to be good. After all, as Mark Twain said, "all ideas are secondhand. Nothing is original." We've been telling stories for thousands of years, and it's true that everything has been done before. So don't focus on being completely original with your story - just focus on telling a good one that makes sense and has compelling characters and motivations from start to finish, no matter the genre or age group.
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Where do I get my ideas from? Everywhere! From movies, TV shows, books, dreams, conversations I overhear, and my own fantasies. Story ideas are bursting around you wherever you go, all the time. Great writers always have their eyes peeled for good ideas and inspiration. I recommend carrying a notebook wherever you go so you don't forget a good idea when it hits you!
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Don't write without a basic outline. You should know how the story starts and ends, who the main characters, side characters, heroes, and villains are, what they want, and the main plot and subplots. You should also know the age group (and what's appropriate for it, especially if you're writing for kids), the genre, and overall message of the book.
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A first draft doesn't need to be perfect. It just needs to be written. The polishing comes later.
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Focus on one project at a time. I'm someone with hundreds of ideas buzzing around in my head, but even I only write one novel at once. Wait until you're finished before moving on to something else - or you'll never get anything done!
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How many drafts should you do? That depends on how much your book needs. I keep a journal as I write my first draft to write down edits I need to do later. I typically do four edits before sending it off to my agent. She and I do two edits, then you'll work with an editor at your publisher to do two or three more. Then it goes to copyediting where, you guessed it, even more edits happen.
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So make sure you love your book! You'll be editing it a gazillion times. Literally. But even great books benefit from editing, so it's worth it.
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Don't write anything offensive or too graphic. Readers are diverse, and you have to write with respect and finesse.
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Always finish what you start. A lot of writers give up after writing a few chapters - they either lose interest, haven't properly planned out the story and don't know what else to write, or can't stay focused. Remember - you can't get an agent or sell a book that's half-finished, so if you've started a novel, please keep going with it! Do everything you can to make it to THE END.
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Don't worry about the title until you've finished the book. Many authors decide on the title at the very end, and use a placeholder in the meantime. A good title reflects the most important part of the story.
When you finish your first draft, put it away for a month. This will help you come back to it with fresh eyes.
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Some writers wait for inspiration. In my opinion, this is a BAD IDEA. As Neil Gaiman said, "inspiration is good for short story writers and poets, but not novelists." Why not? Novels are BIG things - often 80k words. It can take months to write a first draft. You're not always going to be inspired - I know I'm not. Sometimes, you have to force yourself to sit down and write. As they say, "the water doesn't flow until the facet is turned on." My inspiration comes DURING a writing session, not before!
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Find a routine that works for you and stick to it. I write every morning, 7 days a week. You don't have to be THAT dedicated, but you should be writing very often. (Unfortunately, books don't write themselves. Yet.)
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How long should it take to write a book? That depends on how much time you have to put into it. I take a month to write a book, but some professional authors take 3 months to a year. Again, it depends on your schedule, free time, and writing speed. I happen to be a fast writer, but it's not necessary. Even slow writers get agents and sell books! Always make sure your routine works for you.
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Make sure to back up your work! I recommend using USB drives, Google Drive (which is free storage), Dropbox (more free document storage), AND email your work to yourself as a Word Document. Print it off if you have to. Trust me, you don't want to lose your work. Glitches and viruses happen, so make sure to back it up somewhere. You should also have a strong anti-virus protection software on your laptop or computer. I use BitDefender, and it brings me peace of mind.
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What makes you a great writer? Writing – a lot. That's how you learn and get better. You need to be extremely dedicated. But it's true that even a great writer needs a little luck when it comes to getting an agent.
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