Professional book editor in the UK provides 5 quick fiction writing tips for aspiring authors!
While writing your manuscript, it can be so easy to get lost along the way due to stress, self-doubt and reading your story over and over again. That's normal, and I promise it'll pass with perseverance, but it might really help to keep these 5 quick fiction writing tips in mind to stop you from completely falling off track.
Comment below to tell me which of the five helps you the most!
1. Reduce the Pressure on Yourself
Do you struggle with procrastination or motivation when it comes to writing your novel, even if you have a passion for writing?
Try this - I learnt it today and had to share it with you! 👇
Many writers wake up and think: "Right, I'm going to sit down for two hours and write 4000 words", but that's not realistic for someone who has trouble with motivation. So instead, simply just plan to sit down and pick up a pen (or your laptop) without any pressure.
The rest will naturally follow, trust me.
2. Stop Writing in the Right Place
If only it could be easier to jump back into writing your novel after spending some time away from it...
Well, actually...there's a super easy way!
Instead of always finishing at the end of a chapter or scene, put your novel down for the night in the middle of a sentence or line of dialogue. Not only will you know exactly what to write when you return, but this trick will also help to fend off writer's block in the long run!
3. Experience Isn't Always Needed
A great man called Russell T Davies taught me that us writers shouldn't feel bullied into thinking we can't write about certain topics or themes if we haven't experienced it first-hand.
All it takes is research, expanding on the areas we have experienced, and using our imagination.
Why shouldn't authors be free to write anything they wish if there's tons of effort and respect behind it? 🤷🏽♀️
4. Stop Relying on Classic Literature!
A controversial question, but why are you still desperately trying to learn how to write a bestseller by reading classic literature?!
Indeed, classic authors such as Charles Dickens, Jane Austen and Edgar Allan Poe, earned their status for a reason, but many classics wouldn't be as accepted in today's literary market due to a difference in the time period, literary style, and themes, so the best way to learn how to become a better writer is to read more modern novels and simply just enjoy the classics.
You really shouldn't be trying to emulate classic authors if you want to see your novel in a book shop!
5. To Prologue or Not to Prologue
Many writers have no idea whether to include a prologue in their manuscripts, and others often face the common battle of whether to convert their first chapter into a prologue or leave as is.
Well, here's a tip...
If you find yourself giving a lot of backstory and context in the first chapter of your book to "set the scene", consider turning it into a prologue. But if readers can jump into the story without additional information at the beginning, leave chapter one as it is.
The first chapter should be about getting to the point and hooking your readers from the off, so keep the exposition out!
Oh, and if you truly want to master to art of fiction writing, click here for more exciting tips like these!
Good luck!
Chelsea x
ABOUT CHELSEA
Hey! I'm Chelsea and I'm a professional book editor at Stand Corrected Editing, my independent editorial business in the UK. If you would like to have your manuscript thoroughly edited by myself, please get in touch!
With my book editing and proofreading services, I hope to spread my knowledge and expertise on how to make your novel a success, and be a mentor to others who desperately want to pursue a fruitful career as an author!