When I started writing books, I used to get home from work, change out of my uniform, grab a coffee, and start work. I’d write for around two hours before powering down the computer and preparing dinner. I did this every weekday, and by the end of the month, I had a...
aspiring author
To Plot or Not to Plot
By the time I decided I wanted to write, I’d read romances for years and had unconsciously absorbed a lot about story structure and characterization. It never occurred to me to plot. I knew what I wanted to write and sat down and pounded out that sucker. After a...
Tips for Aspiring Authors: What do I write about?
If you’ve followed my advice about reading many books, you probably know what genre you want to write or at least have worked out the genres you enjoy most. Here is a post on choosing your next writing project and another post with suggestions on what to write. Some...
Tip For Aspiring Authors: Use Your Brain
This advice isn’t solely for aspiring authors but is excellent advice for everyone. If you join an online group, asking questions is usually fine. Other writers/group members are generous with advice and suggestions. They’re helpful and open to sharing their...
Where Do Writers Get Their Ideas?
This is the first question most people ask once they learn you’re a writer. “I don’t know how you do it,” they’ll say. Then, there will be the other smart arses who want to know if you write from real-life experience and waggle their eyebrows suggestively, knowing...
Thirteen Pieces of Advice for Aspiring Writers
I’ve been in a writing mood recently, which is great from my point of view. Today, I wrote “the end” on my current work in progress. Since my mind is in the groove, I thought I’d give some advice to aspiring authors. 1. Sit down and write every day. Make writing into...
Writer Tip: Shelley Munro
Read. You'll probably hear this from every published writer you meet. You'll probably hear it at every conference you attend too. It really is important to know how the romance genre works and the classic hooks that are popular with readers. Analyze each book you...
Writer Tip: Christina Phillips
Don't be afraid to experiment with your writing. So what does that even mean? For five years I targeted Harlequin Mills and Boon because that was the house I wanted to be published with. I did eventually progress from form rejections to personal ones and then onto...
Writer Tip: Anna Campbell
"My best advice if you're starting out is sit down and write a whole book from page one to the end. That will teach you more than anything else, wonderful as the resources available to a writer are. Don't listen to the siren call of a new idea when you hit the...