Writing Tips

Whew! The holidays are over. Hope you enjoyed your family as much as I did mine. Now back to writing and all the possibilities that 2014 will bring. And to get you started, here is a post by Brian Klems on the Writer’s Digest blog listing “62 of the top writing articles from 2013 (that can help you in 2014).” Listed are articles on grammar, writing better fiction, writing better characters, query letters, freelance writing, inspiration for writers, publishing, and many, many more. Be sure to take a look at some of these. 

 

Already my schedule is filling up with school visits, author panels, and presentations. Plus SCBWI writers’ conferences and workshops in San Antonio, Austin, Houston, and Dallas, are just around the corner. But the most important thing is to focus and make time for writing.

 

I went through some of my notes from the 2013 summer SCBWI conference in Los Angeles. Here are some reminders. I wish you the best in 2014! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Write every single day.
Kill the committee (boogy man).
Writing is rewriting.
Less is more.
Short is good. (5-8 pages on first chapter)
Be vulnerable – willing to go there.
Go to PAIN.
Don’t think about your writing – JUST WRITE!
Have fun!

“Good writing is clear thinking made visible.” – Bill Wheeler

Writing Tips

I know. I know. You might say this is very basic info. But for those who might just be starting on a writing career, you might want to check out former literary agent and now author Nathan Bransford’s post as to how to format an e-mail query letter. And while you’re at it, here’s another link on the same blog on how to format your manuscript before you submit.
    

For more writing tips, go to: The 4 Traits of Successful Children’s Book Writers by Laura Backes on the Children’s Fiction Factor blog. I especially like the section where she writes: “Well-published authors don't limit themselves to one genre. They'll write picture books, novels, short stories for magazines, poetry, nonfiction, and material for adult markets such as parenting magazines or writing newsletters."

 

I’ve written and had published picture books, short stories, magazine articles, newsletters, and poetry. I am presently working on some middle-grade novels as well so I hope I’m on my way. So embrace your writing, believe in yourself, and keep writing!  

Texas Highway

 

Genre: Refers either to a general classification of writing, such as the novel or the poem, or to the categories within those classifications, such as the romance novel or the sonnet.--Writer's Digest Weekly Planner