Do You Have Any Writing Advice?

One of the questions I get asked regularly (other than when are you going to pay me that ten bucks you promised for buying your book…) is “Do you have any writing advice?”  I've been getting this question a lot lately, so I thought I would dole out some writing info now.

Question 1: I can't ever seem to finish a story. Do you have any suggestions?
Not only do I have a suggestion, but I have two important words for you: You're. Normal.

For years and years I thought I had to have a complete story in my head. And so I waited for it. And it never came. The story idea stork might not come to your house either. So don't be a schmuck and just wait around for it. You're losing time. Every writer is different. Some will have the complete plot figured out and know EXACTLY what they're going to write every day. Some will be the opposite–like me–and have no idea. I usually have chapter one figured out. And that's about it. Like I went for a massage a few days ago, and I wrote a new chapter one in my head. I have no plot, no book outline, no storyline idea at all. Just a chapter one. I'm thinking if I go back for a massage 40 more times and get a chapter every time, I should be able to write those visits off for Mr. IRS.

When I sit down to write my books, I have a vague idea of the big idea of the story. But when I sit down to write each individual chapter, I have no CLUE what is going to happen. It's like standing in front of a taxi–I know I can go somewhere, but I have  no idea where. But the important thing is that I'm standing there with expectation, right?

Question 2: Do you have any advice for teens who want to get published?

My advice for anyone who wants to get published is to read, read, read. If you're a teen, I would especially read some of the teen authors who made it. Amelia Atwater-Rhodes and Christopher Paolini come to mind. What makes them publish-worthy? I dunno. Read them and see for yourself. Publisher's Weekly reported last month that a teenager got a major pub deal, so it happens! If you are a teen wanting to break into the biz, don't write too far out of your field of experience. Books that won't make it would include : The Trials of Being Wife Number Three, How to Survive the Midlife Crisis, or Depends: How Bladder Protection Saved My Life.

Question 3: No seriously, do you have any advice for someone who wants to get published?

A student recently had me go over his writing. He's in a creative writing class, and he has lots of potential. But there were some elements missing that  were “must haves.” I gave him some pointers, then directed him to some common books that are usually recommended. Often when I recommend these books, I know the person won't even bother checking into them–especially if it's a teenager. But this student had two of the books within 48 hours. Not only had purchased them, but had read one of them enough to discuss it with me and edit his writing. That totally impressed  me. That kid's going places. The books I recommend are:

1. Self-Editing for Fiction Writers. This is my favorite for all, but it's the easiest read for teens too. Basic stuff here, but often stuff we don't do. When you read it, you'll be like, “Duh!” VERY HELPFUL. When I got my first book deal, the first thing the editor said to me was, “Go buy this book and read it.”

2. Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass.  Mr. Maass is a big time literary agent in NYC and gives conferences. If you ever get the chance to go, do so. I struggle reading his books, but live and in person? Highly recommended.

3. The First Five Pages by Noah Lukeman

4. Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell, and maybe his new one The Art of War. Honestly I haven't read either one yet, but I hear raves about both, but especially the classic Plot and Structure.

5. There's always Writer's Digest, but I think I got it just to “feel” like a writer and like I was doing something writerly. Like, “Look at me–I'm really putting in some effort on this getting published business. I've ordered a magazine. About writing. See, there's my name. On the label.”  Sadly, your mailman doesn't care.  A few years ago, I was accidentally sent a free subscription to Maxim. It took three months to get them to stop sending it to me. My mailman didn't care about that either.

My other advice along these lines for anyone wanting to get published or wanting to be a better writer, is to attend writer's conferences. I wouldn't be published if I hadn't gone to one.  (And if I hadn't told the editor I'd pay her kid's college tuition. )If you're interested in writing Christian fiction, definitely check out ACFW. I'll even be teaching a few classes there this September on YA and humor. Chip MacGregor addresses the conference issue from time to time, so search his archives at his informative blog.  As for secular lit, check the ads in Writer's Digest. You know, that magazine you're going to order but never read.

Speaking of the MacGregor, he also has some great conferences of his own, along with acclaimed authors like Susan Meissner, Lisa Samson, Susan May Warren, and Jim Rubart. I've had a handful of writing friends go to these Master's Series and RAVE.  You can check that out HERE.

Conferences can be expensive, especially if you have your eye on more than one. My favorite thing to do is to buy the mp3 of the major ones I can't attend. You can hear most of the classes, but not have to give American Airlines 25 dollars to bring a suitcase. RWA and ACFW have mp3s of previous conferences. They're not cheap, but about 1/10th the cost of a conference.  If any of you have a morning commute, you'll love this idea. Or you can workout to the sessions on your iPod. Just kidding. They're not THAT good.

One last thing that I'll mention is get yourself in semi-decent shape and clean up the ol' diet (says the girl who inhaled a pint of Ben and Jerry's this weekend, thankyouverymuch).  If there is anything that makes me sad about writing professionally, aside from bad reviews (Mom, you can back off any time now!) it's how sedentary the job is. And being sedentary is HARD on your body. I would rather do P90 and write than just sit and sit and sit and write. We are not created to sit. Writer's Butt is alive. And real. And it's coming to get you.

You have been warned.

That's it for now. I've left off a lot of advice, so feel free to chime in with your own.

JEN