Author Update: Seven Tips on the Craft of Writing
Since publishing my first novel, EMERGENCE, a mixed genre romance and thriller– heavy on romance per reviewers! – many have inquired about my writing habits. At work on my second novel, a paranormal thriller based in the Chicago suburb Naperville, I’ve employed the following techniques and recommend these craft books. To my readers, thank you for all the kindness you’ve bestowed upon my first-born book baby. To my writing tribe, Write on!
1) Read. Then read some more. Then read specifically in the genre you are writing.
The paranormal master is Stephen King; well, he’s just a master of everything truly, but definitely Paranormal. I am currently reading THE SHINING, and it is terrifying and exciting. Reading critically, pulling back the mastermind’s eyelids, is a much different experience than reading only for pleasure. Please do this in your genre, find the experts, and study them.
2) Cut your Darlings. Speaking of Stephen King, I highly recommend his book ON WRITING. A generous gift for the writing community, King inspires and educates while entertaining you. On page 211, he recommends printing your first draft, and putting it away for a minimum of six weeks. Focus on other work. When you pick it up again, with “six weeks worth of recuperation time,” you’ll be able to see any glaring holes in the plot or character development. Rediscovering my book allowed me the space I need to be more objective. I cut a lot of paragraphs and entire scenes that caused the tension to drag. I “killed my darlings” as it is known in the industry, and it made the book much more potent.
3) Take a seminar, or during the pandemic isolation, a Webinar. I recommend Writer’s Digest conferences and courses, as well as Master Class, especially if you love Margaret Atwood and The Handmaid’s Tale. Currently, I am attending (virtually) Writers Digest University’s DESCRIPTION AND SETTING by Roz Rozelle. Rozelle’s writing pearl: keep a journal nearby all the time. “What if one of your characters starts talking in your head? They do that, you know. Well, you’d best write it down because they more than likely won’t say it again.” Yup. Exactly.
4) Read a craft book in your genre. WRITING THE PARANORMAL NOVEL by Steven Harper is my current craft bible. Harper’s writing pearl: 1) You must know exactly what your supernatural character can do. 2) You must know exactly what your supernatural character’s limitations are. 3)If you bend or break Rule 1 or Rule 2, be sure it makes sense in the mythology you’ve created.
5) Learn to create tension in your writing. Steven James STORY TRUMPS STRUCTURE is page after page of writing pearls. On page 57, James gives you nine specific ways to escalate the tension in your story. Do these. Your readers will thank you.
6) Make the impossible real. As Donald Maass explains in THE BREAKOUT NOVELIST, “A breakout thriller must accomplish two mutually exclusive effects: 1) the plot events are utterly believable and 2) its plot events are utterly incredible.” His book will help you achieve just that.
7)Just start writing. Sentence by sentence, be kind and patient with yourself, and enjoy the journey. Anne Lamott’s BIRD BY BIRD is an iconic craft book for a reason. “Knowledge of your characters also emerges the way a Polaroid develops: it takes time for you to know them.”