Last week we started 'frequently asked questions writers are asked.' An interview-type question-and-answer game designed to give you an insight into the daily life of a writer and hopefully a little inspiration. As it was so well received last week, I have decided to bring you part two, as seen below.
Q) What advice would you give to a new writer starting their first novel? I'll give you some advice spoken by James Paterson I learned from his Masterclass. Make time to write every day. Becoming a writer is as much about making writing a habit as it is about anything else.
Most days, you are not going to feel like it, but it's so crucial that you sit down and do it anything. That you set aside the time in your schedule, even if what you write doesn't end up going used in your final draft. It's the process of sitting down and actively dedicating time to your book that really makes the difference.
If you haven't already, I highly recommend watching the complete Masterclass. They have some fantastic world-renowned writers on there, including Neil Gaima's class and Marget Antwood, which I would personally recommend.
Here are a few writting exercises for you to try:
Set yourself a realistic writting goal whether that's writing 500 words a day or spending an hour writting your manuscript and then logging your progress.
Having a plan can save you a lot of heartaches later on, but not every method works for everybody. Try a few different techniques and see which one works best for you. For example, you can try the snowflake method (my personal favourite) or the hero's journey/three-act structure.
Set a dedicated workspace you go to when you write and remove all distractions and try different methods to get yourself into the mindset of that scene even before you start writting. For example, try putting headphones on and listening to atmospheric music (preferably without vocals), closing your eyes and picturing yourself as the main character in the scene. What can you see, hear, touch and smell? What is the temperature like? Have you dressed appropriately? Are you alone or with others?
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