H.C.H. Ritz
I'm still an aspiring writer ;-)
But here's what I've learned so far:
Figure out how to fit writing into your life. Maybe this means finding the right daily routine for you that supports writing on a consistent basis (read the book Daily Rituals for some fantastic inspiration on that!). Or maybe it's something a little more unusual... I found that making a wager with a fellow writer was very helpful on my second book. Whatever works!
Read "how to" books about fiction structure and technique.
Join a supportive, knowledgeable critique group.
Have specific goals.
Take a patient, scientific approach to figuring out how *you* best get words on the page (every mind is different!). I need classical music, chocolate, and a highly structured approach.
If you struggle with paralysis or "writer's block," try the Snowflake method (by Randy Ingermanson) to develop a clear picture of your story before you write, then turn off your analytical brain, lower your expectations, and just write the story straight through. Trust your critique group to catch the resulting problems. Then do it again. Do this until your inner critic will leave you alone consistently and let you write.
Know that it gets easier. Writing my first book was like finding a lost polar bear in a blizzard in the Arctic with no map while suffering from vertigo. Writing the second book was like driving across the country on a deadline with an outdated map. I'm hoping that writing the third book will be more like hopping on a bus to my favorite coffeeshop ;-)
But here's what I've learned so far:
Figure out how to fit writing into your life. Maybe this means finding the right daily routine for you that supports writing on a consistent basis (read the book Daily Rituals for some fantastic inspiration on that!). Or maybe it's something a little more unusual... I found that making a wager with a fellow writer was very helpful on my second book. Whatever works!
Read "how to" books about fiction structure and technique.
Join a supportive, knowledgeable critique group.
Have specific goals.
Take a patient, scientific approach to figuring out how *you* best get words on the page (every mind is different!). I need classical music, chocolate, and a highly structured approach.
If you struggle with paralysis or "writer's block," try the Snowflake method (by Randy Ingermanson) to develop a clear picture of your story before you write, then turn off your analytical brain, lower your expectations, and just write the story straight through. Trust your critique group to catch the resulting problems. Then do it again. Do this until your inner critic will leave you alone consistently and let you write.
Know that it gets easier. Writing my first book was like finding a lost polar bear in a blizzard in the Arctic with no map while suffering from vertigo. Writing the second book was like driving across the country on a deadline with an outdated map. I'm hoping that writing the third book will be more like hopping on a bus to my favorite coffeeshop ;-)
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