When I lived in Massachusetts, I would annually hike/climb several mountains starting with something small, like Mount Wachusett (it was close to home), then progressing to something like Mount Monadnock, and eventually take on something a bit larger—and no, I have not tried Mount Washington.
Standing at the car park, the hike looks like no big deal. With the dense trees ahead and gentle slope of the beginning trail, it all seems so merciful (cue the wicked laughter). Soon though the trail becomes rockier and more vertical. Hands are needed to climb, and sometimes your feet slip sending you back a few steps or worse, onto your bottom. Legs start to tire, and you just know they’ll be stiff and painful tomorrow. For a moment you doubt if you’ve got what it takes. So what does hiking have to do with writing tips for writers?
Writing is just like this.
At first, you’re killing it—easy peasy. Despite some setbacks, you keep pushing forward. And then you’re like, damn, this is hard. Can I actually do this?
Yes, you can. Just like the thousands of writers who came before you.
This blog will help you navigate the common pitfalls that new writers face, offering practical tips across three essential areas: Your Writing Skills, Your Writing Environment, and Your Writing Community. Drawing on insights from authors like Chuck Wendig—author of Gentle Writing Advice, Anne Lamott—author of Bird by Bird, and Stephen King—author of On Writing, these tips will provide the structure and encouragement you need to finish your book.
Writing Tips: Your Writing Skills
Creating a gripping novel relies heavily on learning the art of writing. Below are nine tips for writers to assist you in honing your writing abilities:
Write Every Day (or nearly so)
Tip: Consistency is key to developing your skills and making progress on your novel. Does that mean writing every day? Not necessarily, however I do recommend you either write or think about your work every day.
Stephen King writes every day, aiming for 1500-2,000 words. Honestly, for someone just starting out, that’s asking a lot. But a smaller goal, like 250-500 words a day is a solid start. One page of manuscript equals about 250 words. At that rate you’ll have a first draft in about a year.
Embrace the Messy First Draft
Tip: Don’t aim for perfection in your first draft. Allow yourself to write freely and get the story down. On my “free stuff” page, I’ve posted a 7-day writing prompt exercise called the 15-Minute Writer, where you learn to free-write for 15 minutes and then count your words. Do it every day for a week and see how you improve. Try it. Your creative brain is waiting for the chance to control your fingers in unexpected ways.
Anne Lamott famously advises writers to give themselves permission to write “shitty first drafts.” So let go and get it on the page.
Read Widely and Often
Tip: Reading a variety of genres and authors helps you understand different styles and techniques. It also helps you to understand that stories of all genres, while they may have certain tropes, are also fairly similar: they’re about a person, who wants a thing, who has to overcome obstacles, or else something unwanted might happen.
Stephen King recommends reading as much as you write to improve your writing skills. When you read something you particularly like, write it down (keep a notebook, spreadsheet, or word document with your favorite lines).
Outline Your Story
Tip: An outline provides a roadmap for your novel, helping you stay focused and organized. An outline will help you avoid “writer’s block” which usually stems from not knowing what your character needs to do next.
Chuck Wendig suggests creating a loose outline to guide your writing but remaining flexible to changes. I teach the blueprint method created by Jennie Nash.
Show, Don’t Tell
Tip: Engage readers by showing actions and emotions rather than simply telling them.
Instead of saying, “She was angry,” show her slamming the door and pacing the room. But it’s more than that. You also need to show why she’s slamming the door. Frankly, this is one of the harder concepts to execute well because many early writers I’ve encountered “show” plot, rather than “show” emotion plus why a character is doing something.
Develop Strong Characters
Tip: Spend time crafting well-rounded, believable characters with distinct voices and personalities.
Les Edgerton emphasizes the importance of deep character development in creating a compelling narrative. Here’s an article I wrote about character development which includes a link to a downloadable character profile planner.
Write Dialogue That Sounds Real
Tip: Ensure your dialogue reflects how people actually speak, with natural rhythms and tones, and include some variation between characters.
To ensure authenticity, read dialogue aloud but strive for brevity. The dialogue in a book should be an idealized form of real language, free from any ums and ahs. If characters know each other, cut greetings to conserve words. And only use dialogue that moves the story forward. (A topic for another day.)
Use Active Voice
Tip: Active voice makes your writing more dynamic and engaging. The Manuscript Academy recently had a three-day (self-paced) session on increasing interest in your book with a session on active voice and a few live sessions. Well worth the $49 price tag.
Active vs. passive: instead of “The ball was thrown by John,” write “John threw the ball.”
Edit Ruthlessly
Tip: Editing is where your novel truly takes shape. And true editing may not happen until your 3rd or 4th draft, because you first need to get your story on the page. Be prepared to cut unnecessary scenes and tighten your prose.
Stephen King advises, “Kill your darlings,” meaning you should remove elements that don’t serve the story, even if you love them. Conversely Chuck Wendig says that he has sometimes left his “darlings” on the page because he loved them so much…only to have an editor remove them later.
Writing Tips: Your Writing Environment
Creating the right environment for yourself is crucial for fostering productivity and creativity. Here are eight tips to optimize your writing environment:
Find Your Ideal Writing Space
Tip: Choose a quiet, comfortable place where you can write without distractions.
Virginia Woolf stressed the importance of having “a room of one’s own.” I find it satisfying to begin my writing sessions on my porch, where I write by hand, and then I transfer my work to into Word or Scrivener later. Many people choose to write at diners and coffee shops, despite the background noise. Your room might be your dining room after everyone else goes to bed. Find your spot and plant yourself there for at least 30 minutes at a time.
Set a Writing Schedule
Tip: Establish a regular writing routine that fits your lifestyle.
Many accomplished writers recommend setting aside specific times each day for writing. I actively implement this method by blocking my calendar for two hours each morning creating a dedicated time for writing my book. Outside of those two hours is dedicated to blogging, coaching, and reading.
Minimize Distractions
Tip: Turn off notifications on your phone and computer while writing.
You can use apps to accomplish this. I flip my phone, screen down so I don’t see messages popping up in my peripheral. And I never use a ring tone.
Keep Your Writing Tools Handy
Tip: Ensure you have everything you need before you start writing, such as notebooks, pens, or a fully charged laptop.
Create a checklist of essentials to keep your writing sessions smooth and uninterrupted. Know what you’re going to write before you start. If you need to do research, do it prior to your “writing time,” so you’re not distracted with online shenanigans. Read the last thing you wrote and check your outline before you begin to write.
Set the Mood
Tip: Create an environment that inspires you. This could include music, lighting, or even scents.
Some writers find that ambient noise or instrumental music helps them focus. I prefer none of these except for maybe a chai latte to sip as I write.
Use Writing Prompts
Tip: Writing prompts can help jumpstart your creativity and get you writing.
On his blog, Chuck Wendig frequently offers writing prompts as a source of inspiration for writers. During one of the writers’ groups, I attend monthly, we often engage in timed writing prompts followed by sharing our work. The pieces created from the same prompt are astonishingly different, highlighting the creativity and uniqueness of each individual.
Take Breaks
Tip: Regular breaks help maintain your focus and prevent burnout. I highly recommend incorporating timed writing sessions into your routine for improved efficiency and time management. I often set a time limit of thirty minutes for myself, and I’m always amazed at how much I can achieve in such a short span or that I lose track of time and surpass my goal.
Try the Pomodoro Technique – work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. You could also write for 45 minutes and take a 15-minute break every hour.
Stay Organized
Tip: Keep your notes, outlines, and drafts organized to streamline your writing process. I admit, I’m terrible at this!
Check out Scrivener or Evernote for organizing your writing materials. I use scrivener but struggle to keep up with the latest versions of my work, especially when I download it to Word for others to critique.
Writing Tips: Your Writing Community
Being part of a writing community allows you to bond with others who have similar goals. Check out these nine tips to connect with a writing community:
Join a Writers’ Group
Tip: This goes without saying, but being part of a writers’ group provides support, feedback, and accountability—all things you need to reach your goals.
Look for local writing groups or online communities like NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month—which is November). There are also local MeetUp groups all over the U.S. I’m a member of several writing organizations that all promote the writing community. My go-to is ParagraphNY, which has both a Tuesday and a Saturday online writing group. I also attend the weekly online “write-ins” held by the Sisters in Crime organization. If you’re interested in being part of a Second Act Book Coaching Writers’ Group, reach out to me via email at nancy@secondactbookcoaching.com.
Seek Feedback Early and Often
Tip: Don’t be afraid to share your work with trusted peers or mentors for constructive criticism. It may take time to find a group that fits your goals and with whom you click, so be patient.
Regular feedback can help you identify and fix issues before they become ingrained. But always remember it is your story. If a critique doesn’t feel right to you, don’t incorporate it. However, if several people make the same comment, then you should take a serious look at what they are saying.
Attend Writing Workshops and Conferences
Tip: Participate in events that offer learning opportunities and connect you with other writers.
Many workshops and conferences are available online, making them more affordable and accessible. If you choose to go to a conference, make sure to get the most for your money. Do introduce yourself to other participants. Don’t sit in your room between sessions. Get out and mingle and find writers just like you who want a writing partner.
Network with Other Writers
Tip: Building relationships with other writers can provide emotional support and professional connections. Writing is a lonely task. Find people who you can help you through the tough times.
Engage with writers on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. You may also find writers at your local library—libraries often run writer and/or book events where you can meet other writers.
Find a Writing Mentor
Tip: A mentor can offer guidance, support, and valuable insights based on their own experiences.
Look for mentors through writing organizations or literary events. Some organizations, like the Women’s Fiction Writers Association, have mentor matching services and lots of opportunities to meet, critique, and learn from other writers.
Share Your Goals
Tip: Sharing your writing goals with others can help keep you accountable.
Post your writing goals on social media or share them with your writing group. One caveat, make sure they are reasonable. For instance, writing your first book in under six months is generally an unrealistic goal.
Celebrate Milestones
Tip: Acknowledge and celebrate your writing milestones, no matter how small.
Reward yourself with something special after finishing a tough chapter or hitting a word count goal. There’s something I find particularly satisfying about reaching the end of a chapter. It’s important to pause after reaching a goal to recharge before resuming work.
Stay Positive
Tip: Writing a novel is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay positive and persistent, even when the going gets tough.
Staying positive is hard. There are good days and bad days. Just understand that everyone, and I mean everyone, has bad days. Just tell yourself to keep going. Anne Lamott, author of Bird by Bird advises to focus on one small task at a time.
Use Accountability Tools
Tip: Tools like word count trackers and writing journals can help you stay on track with your goals.
Find an app that works for you and create a list of tasks to get done each week. Here’s a link to my word count tracker for 2024. Fill in your work duration and word count each day to watch improvement over time. Remember to keep goals reasonable. And celebrate small victories.
Writing Tips: Final Thoughts
Writing a book is more like climbing Everest than the 3,000’ mountains mentioned above. It takes stamina, practice, and perseverance. When you write your first novel, get ready for a crazy adventure (but no altitude sickness) with plenty of obstacles and awesome payoffs if you stay positive and take time to breath now and then. To avoid the typical struggles new writers face, just focus on improving your writing skills, creating a good writing environment, and connecting with a supportive writing community. Remember, all the best authors were once beginners. So, don’t stop writing, don’t stop learning, and above all, don’t stop believing in your story.
No matter if you’re taking advice from Chuck Wendig, Anne Lamott, Stephen King, Les Edgerton, or me, these tips will give you the structure and encouragement to finish your book. If you’re having trouble getting your story written, think about getting a book coach. As a book coach, I’ve helped writers just like you turn their ideas into an outline and then turn their outline into pages. A book coach can keep you on track, give you positive feedback (on what’s working), and make sure you stay accountable to yourself and to the work.
In the comments below, what has helped you in writing your novel or memoir?
Happy writing!
Nancy Clements is a book coach for fiction, non-fiction, and memoir and founder of Second Act Book Coaching. She particularly likes to help analytical types tap into their creative side to write the book they’ve always wanted to write.