Hello Reader,

For the month of February, I've decided to do tow newsletters a week for my subscribers. My Tuesday emails will focus on writing tips for authors, and my Thursday emails will stay much the same.

This guide is meant for the writers or would-be writers subscribed to this newsletter. Maybe you've been writing for a while and you feel burnt out, or maybe you're scared to start that book you've had on your mind for a while. Whatever the case, I'm going to do my best to help you, by answering four questions of my own.

WHERE do I find inspiration for writing?

READING! This is key not only to finding inspiration, but to become a better writer. If you don't believe me, check out these words from a real expert:

I would add to this by reminding you to read in the genre you plan to write in. If you don't love your genre, pick one you do love. The first book I ever wrote was a science fiction novel, and after writing those 100K+ words, I realized I was not in love with the genre enough to search for a sufficient comparative title. That's probably why no agent wanted that book because without a comp title, it's really hard to pitch any book.

You should also read what is selling now. If you're still in school, your teachers and professors should make sure you're well versed in the classics. If you want to publish in today's market, you need to know what sells in today's market.

Most importantly, read what you love, and let it inspire you.

When I touched on this advice in a presentation I was giving, I had a person in the audience ask, "If you read too much, how will you be able to come up with something original?" First of all, there is no such thing as reading too much. I think I'll let another expert speak on why that is:

Where else can you get ideas? Television. That's right! Good television with good dialogue can inform your writing. Most film uses specific storyline patterns that you will learn to recognize. It will help inform your knowledge of what draws an audience into a story.

But to really make use of your TV viewing, take time to analyze what you like about a show or a book, and you’ll have started thinking like a writer.

I recently asked this same question to a group of writers online. The most liked answer I received was, “From conversations I overhear in the grocery store.” So, unplug from social media, and spend time in the real world. Pay attention to your surroundings, to how people interact. It will inform your writing.

HOW do I get started writing?

MORNING PAGES: first thing in the morning, free write three pages in a journal or notebook. What you write doesn’t have to make sense, and it certainly doesn’t have to be good. You just get the words on the page. I call this my "brain dump," and it works better than a cup of coffee. I got this idea from The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron if that interests anyone.

As a freshman writing professor, there are two writing assignments I give my students that I think are essential:

• The Memoir
  • In 1,000 words or less, write about a moment that changed your life.
• The Profile
  • Interview a person of interest, and writing a profile about that person.

Both of these short pieces of writing help students focus on what is important to them. You never know, you might pull your first theme from writing your memoir.

If all else fails, and the creative well has run dry, set a timer, pick a writing prompt, and write for five minutes. You can find thousands of writing prompts on Pinterest, but there are also relatively cheap prompt books available on Amazon.

WHAT is a writing routine that works for me?

When I was looking for advice on my own writing, I found that most successful authors had one thing to say: make it a routine. This is important, but what is more important is finding a routine that works for you. Maybe you like to get up at five in the morning and write 1000 words or more. I'm not a morning person, so I would hate that plan. To find a plan that works for you, answer the following questions:

• How much time can I spend writing each day? (If you only have 15 minutes, that's fine.)
• What (reasonable) goals do I have as a writer? (Can you write 500 words in a day? 1200 words?)
• Am I a plotter or a pantser or something in between? (Do you plan your novel or do you make it up as you go?)
• Do I have people I can count on to keep me dedicated to my work? (More on this in a minute.)

My routine for those who are interested:

• When I have a work in progress:
  • Fill out my beat sheet
  • Fill out my detailed outline for my agent
  • Write 1000 words a day until the book is done.
• When I don’t have a work in progress:
  • Work with critique partners on edits.
  • Do morning pages and start researching the next idea. (I'm researching through a Great Courses+ on Vampires right now)

HOW do I improve my writing?

1. Find a critique group/critique partner.
2. Read craft books.
3. Every editor will encourage you to INCREASE YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF GRAMMAR.
   1. I strongly recommend Beth Burch’s Grammar for Writers to all my students who are serious about writing. It actually goes over adding literary devices to your writing to make it more interesting.

Recommended Reads

Frontier Vengeance Danny Coogan is now working as a US Marshal, and he is within weeks of becoming a father for the first time. During a takedown of a fugitive, he makes a grisly discovery: a body, and it's the son of someone he knows and works with. Free Sample!

Bookstore Mischief Kent has to find out who the culprit is when things are amiss... Free Sample!

Pixie Pranks Cameron Blaze owes a demon a favor and what better way to pay off a debt than to have a girl’s night out? The plan was simple. Find a killer pair of heels, go to a great bar, and party into the early hours of the morning. Free Sample!

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