I have read a lot of blogs lately providing invaluable advice on how to get a novel down on paper and infront of a publisher. There are, it seems, reams of important rules you must follow, things you must never do, cliches you must never ever use. It is a tough world with millions of talented writers all fighting for the spotlight. Only the best will succeed. So, I thought I'd add my little bit of wisdom to the pot.
My advice would be this: Have fun with your writing. If you don't enjoy every stage of the process then find another job/hobby. There is no point in becoming an author if you don't love the solitude, the frustration, the failure, the criticism and the very small pay cheque.
Never listen to people who say you are doing it 'wrong.' We all have different methods and if you want to develop a writing style that is unique, which is I presume something we are all striving for, you are not going to suceed if you tie yourself in knots trying to write just like your favourite author. Your story must be yours and your voice unique and to stand out from the crowd you sometimes have to break rules!
Stressing about rules at this stage will stifle your creativity. Every writer's first draft, whether they admit it or not, is full of cliches, typo's, over writing, errors in continuity etc. etc. etc. These things are easily ironed out later on in the writing process. If you develop a unique writing style and a strong voice, it can make even a rubbish plot sound good. So relax, pour a glass of wine, open some chocolate and have a good time with it, let your imagination run away with you. If an author enjoys writing the book then it will invariably be an entertaining read.
When you have a completed manuscript, put it away and don't look at it for at least a month; write something else, begin your next novel, write some shorts or do some blogging. If you think your novel is ready to send off to a publisher or agent, then it probably isn't ... yet.
Once the month is up re-read your work and smooth out the gaffs that will by now be very apparent. Then, get a friend to read it and highlight anything they notice, act on any improvements they may suggest. My husband is invaluable for this task and has learned not to tell me that everything I write is 'wonderful.' He has developed an objective, critical eye and I cannot thank him enough for that.
After making those corrections, leave it another couple of weeks before going through the whole editing process again. I stress that you cannot edit enough, it is a process that crafts your rough diamond into a flawless jewel.
Overwriting is the worst mistake a would-be writer makes, long flowery passages of description that take up space on the page, detract from the plot and bore your poor reader to death. Be concise, be punchy and above all, be
interesting.
Just because your friends love your story doesn't mean it is any good. Think youself lucky to have such loving and supportive friends but don't let their praise go to your head; every writer in the world needs outside help. Get yourelf a critique partner, someone who you haven't known since infant school is preferable. Show it to a stranger, post it on a writers' website and ask for critiques, then brace yourself for the onslaught.
Even constructive criticism hurts like hell but it is usually correct. Read the comments objectively and take on board anything you agree with (it may take a week or so to see that the reader is actually right). Once you know what changes to make, you will find that good editing improves your piece no end.
If you don't agree (and be honest with yourself, now) then ignore the advice, the story is yours, you should write to please yourself and you will not, and cannot, please everybody.
I read alot of amateur work and talent is always visible, even in the early stages when I have to trawl through oceans of misplaced commas and flowery phrases. Formatting problems are common too but computer skills are necessary to an author and are easily learnt. So, if formatting is your weakness, book yourself a course and learn to do it properly.
The things I cannot tolerate (and not just in the work of newbies) is bad grammar and incorrect spelling and that is because both of those errors are avoidable. I had one manuscript that persistently used the symbol & instead of 'and.' I had to stop reading it; it was unacceptable. Every reader should check and re-check their work, hire an editor if need be, although small errors will still slip through. If all else fails use your spell checker.
Every one of us is learning to be the best that we can. I am not the best, most intellectual writer in the world and neither am I in the best seller lists but I am a reader who has read widely and I do know good work when I see it and, in my experience, the independent and unpublished writers usually knock the socks off many of the big names. The shame is that mainstream publishers don't seem to be able to see us, probably because they all have their heads somewhere where it is very, very dark.
