6 Tips for New Writers

6 Tips for New Writers, guest post by Annette Marie

6 Tips for New Writers, guest post by Annette Marie

1.      It isn’t just about writing. Getting that first draft done is only a small part of the job. I spend at least as much time or more on revisions—lots and lots of revisions! A painting isn’t one layer of paint, and a book takes many passes to reach a final product.

2.     Writing gets better, but it doesn’t get easier. I’ve learned so much since I began this journey, but no matter how many good days I have where the sentences flow like magic, sometimes every word is a struggle. Even after fifteen books, I still have bad days. The only thing to do is keep writing—push through the tough periods until you find the magic again.

3.     Publishing a book is terrifying. For my first book, I think I had more butterflies waiting for that first review to appear on Amazon than I did when I was about to walk down the aisle at my own wedding. But by the time the book is up for sale, its success is out of your hands. There’s nothing left to do, so channel that excess energy into writing the next book.

4.     Reader reviews can be awesome—or they can break your heart. One of the most rewarding experiences for an author is to hear how much readers loved their book. But no book is universally appealing and there will always be readers who don’t like it, or even hate it. Enjoy the good reviews, but don’t even read the bad ones. Save yourself the bullet holes.

5.     Other authors are your allies! Since I started publishing, I’ve discovered a whole community of talented, generous, and amazing authors. So many are delighted to help their fellow writers with everything from beta reading to sharing insider tips to offering much needed consolation when you have a bad day. Don’t be afraid to reach out.

6.     Be prepared to work harder than ever. I pour more hours into writing and publishing than I ever spent on a regular desk job. To make writing into a full-time career requires a huge commitment of time, effort, and energy—including emotional energy. It’s demanding, but absolutely worth it. 

6 Tips for New Writers, guest post by Annette Marie
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6 Tips for New Writers, guest post by Annette Marie
Annette Marie is the author of Amazon best-selling YA urban fantasy series Steel & Stone, its prequel trilogy Spell Weaver, and romantic fantasy trilogy Red Winter. Her first love is fantasy, but fast-paced adventures and tantalizing forbidden romances are her guilty pleasures. She lives in the frozen winter wasteland of Alberta, Canada (okay, it's not quite that bad) with her husband and their furry minion of darkness—sorry, cat—Caesar. When not writing, she can be found elbow-deep in one art project or another while blissfully ignoring all adult responsibilities.


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