Guest Post: 5 Uncommon Writing Tips for Beginners

The world is awash in a sea of writing tips and advice. Every writer has their own approach to the craft and, as a result, their own opinions.

The good thing for you as a budding author is that you have a wealth of information to learn from. It’s up to you to work out which is useful and which isn’t, and you do that by trying things out.

In this guide, you’ll hopefully walk away with a few more things to try as we cover some more uncommon writing tips for beginners.

Let’s dive in.

1. Think About Character Development

If you’re writing a novel and you have your cast of characters all ready to go, it helps to think about the journey that those individuals are going to go on. This isn’t just a physical journey, getting from point A to point B, but an emotional journey. How do they respond to the great events you put them through? How does that shape them as people?

Our stories and characters are subject to The Butterfly Effect too. Every action has a consequence and how a character responds usually corresponds with how they develop in the story.

For example, Frodo Baggins from Lord of the Rings on his quest to Mount Doom runs into obstacle after obstacle. Yet he carries on, it doesn’t let it break him. And this helps him grow as a character.

2. An Important Writing Tip: If You Can’t Work Out the Plot, Focus on Conflict

One of the ways you can help encourage your characters to grow and develop is to place obstacles in their path. These challenges test their skills and their resolve and helps them advance forward.

Much of the time, if you can’t think of what could happen next in the story, ask yourself what your characters want—usually the end goal of the story. Then ask yourself what can you do to stop them from achieving that?

Then list all of your ideas. You can call these points of conflict and you can litter the road for your characters with them.

So one of the best and most important writing tips you can keep in mind is to try and think of ways to stop your characters from getting what they want. You’ll have plenty of plot ideas before you know it.

3. Try Starting with The Theme

One element of writing that many writers struggle with is theme. And it’s understandable as to why.

Theme, or the premise of the story, is in my experience poorly explained. Given the vagueness of the concept it also comes with vague explanations. However, here’s a simple one: the theme of a story is what it’s actually about, what the very point of you telling this story is.

For example, the point of Lord of the Rings was to prove that good can overcome evil, even despite the odds against them. And that you should always hope that good will win.

This is then demonstrated through the story and the characters.

So, thinking about the point you’re trying to make first can help build a structure for everything else because everything should tie back to that theme.

4. Don’t Edit Until After Your First Draft

Writing a story is a process and as part of that process, you’re in no way expected to write something perfect with your first draft.

The manuscript you create evolves over time. It’s analysed, critiqued, and shaped until finally, you reach a point where you can change it no more.

A lot of writers talk about feeling the temptation to go back and fix things as they’re writing that first draft. This can be a dangerous thing to do.

Completing a draft is all about building momentum with your writing. If you’re able to develop a habit where you’re writing a few thousand words a day, you don’t want to disrupt that. Keep it going for as long as you can. And one of the best ways to help you do that is to refrain from looking back.

You may think of glaring plot holes as you plough on, but if you can, just make a note for later that you need to fix it.

5. You Don’t Need to Write Everyday

Many people start writing as a hobby, something to fill their void of spare time. However, it’s an infectious pursuit and soon you may find the desire to write taking over.

We may then become locked in a battle with time. Many of us have to work to live and that takes up a lot of time. And then there are the woes of life itself to contend with.

It’s important to appreciate how much time you have to write. If you only get an hour a week, it’s unreasonable to expect to write a novel in six months.

The more time you put into it, though, the more you’ll get out of it.

But what you can put in is still tremendous progress. Every word you get down on paper is a step toward achieving your writing goal. Don’t beat yourself up for not getting more done. Just do what you can and keep focusing on the finish line.

Writing a big project like a novel is very much like running a marathon. The mental challenges are the same. And they’re often the trickier ones to overcome.

In Summary

Embarking upon a creative writing project is one of the most exciting things you can try. But as you wander into the creative wilderness, you’ll soon find traps aplenty. However, by taking the time to read up on advice like this, you’ll navigate your way without issue.

Above all, stay focused on that end goal. When drafting, avoid editing. And if you get stuck with the story along the way, think about conflict and theme and that should help reveal solutions for your character development too.

A Christmas gift for yourself

“Thank you, Megan. I found a less expensive editor.”

Well, ho, ho, ho.

Receiving messages like this never feels good, and even after going on 20 years in the business, it does still feel like a kick in the pants from time to time.

The sad thing about choosing your rates is that no matter what number you choose, there will be people who come along and tell you that you are too expensive. Basically, they want you to do the work for free, out of the kindness of your heart (though more likely it would be out of their ego).

Are there situations in which people have legitimate financial concerns that prevent them from spending money on non-emergency services? Absolutely.

Would I want to have someone give me their last dime and be evicted from their apartment. Of course not.

But what I see a lot, and what truly breaks my heart, is that authors will talk about their writing dreams…and then do nothing about them.

If you’ve followed me on social media at all you’ll have seen the countless mantras that I have posted that encourage authors to see themselves as necessary, creative beings, and worthy contenders in the world of publishing. There is no better time to write that first word, or that last word.

But what happens after a book has been written? Or what if major writing blocks keep an author from moving forward on their journey? What happens then?

Two things happen – authors either a) struggle indefinitely or b) invest in themselves.

By “invest” I do not mean purchase business cards or purchase another writing course they won’t have time to complete. I do not mean search for the perfect pen or pencil or notebook.

I mean they invest their time in their writing, and then when they need help they invest their money in the best possible guidance they can receive.

My purpose on this planet is to help authors make their writing great and their publishing dreams come true. That is my very deepest passion.

It is also my job, and unfortunately I can’t buy groceries with hugs and good wishes.

How do I choose my rates? I want to fall into industry standards, of course, but I also base my rates on my aforementioned nearly 20 years of experience, as well as the level of detail I put into my work.

Any editor can look at a manuscript and say, “your main character is under-developed.” But when I say that, I also go on to ask the author questions (“what is your main character’s goal?” “what are they looking for in life?”) and then give suggestions on how to improve (“if Brody is willing to sacrifice everything in order to bring Susan home, we need to establish the stakes in the first third of the book”).

So, this holiday season, I am sure that you have already spent a ton of cash on things for other people – toys aren’t getting any cheaper! But what did you get for yourself?

Just imagine what 2023 could look like if you knew that your book could finally become a real, tangible thing.

Just imagine how could it would feel to stop getting lost in the questions and the what-ifs, and have someone actually guide you through the process, kicking the roadblocks out of your way.

I’d love to talk to you about your book project, and how I can help you get that book into the readers, hungry for your words.

Hop on over to the Services page on the website, or simply respond to this email and we can see how to find a way for me to give you the assistance you need.

Give yourself (and your book) a gift this holiday season.

As we begin to close out 2022, I wish you the very best!

To you and your book!

Introducing the Author’s Roadmap, a boutique service offered to authors who are ready, really ready, to realize their long-held dreams of being published.

First we’ll begin with a 60-minute call in which we’ll get to know one another. You tell me about you and your book and what your big, audacious dreams are for getting it published (and even after that). You ask me whatever questions you have and together we identify which roadblocks are keeping you from getting to your last stop.

After we meet, you’ll send me your manuscript and I’ll dive deep within it, identifying which aspects will be most attractive to publishers, literary agents, and readers – and which might need a little work (and then I’ll tell you how to fix them).

Finally, I’ll give you the steps you will need to take to get your book published, and beloved by readers everywhere. Looking for a literary agent? I’ll tell you how to get there. Self-publishing? I’ll get you there, too.

It can be hard to know which way to go, and the options can feel overwhelming.

I’m here to get you where you need to be: published.

​Are you ready to play big?

A day in the life of a book editor

A favorite part of my job? Reading books, of course! But there is so much more to the life of a book coach than that – namely finding ways to help authors (the other favorite part of my job!).

Just as every author and book project are unique, no day is the same for me. Some days are better than others, for sure, but no matter what I am grateful to be doing exactly what I feel I was put on earth to do.

There are some authors that focus on only one type of editing, or one genre of book, but I prefer the variety. One week I may work with a fantasy novelist, the next the CFO of a large corporation who is writing a business book.

Just as a reminder, there are two main types of editing: developmental and copy editing.

Developmental editing focuses on “big picture” things like structure and content and theme. Basically, I read through a manuscript and, using track changes, make changes and suggestions directly on the document, as well as questions in the margins. Then I send the client back the redline and clean versions of their manuscript.

Copy editing looks at things like spelling, grammar, syntax, etc. Like with developmental editing, I make changes directly to the document and then send my revisions back to my client.

My rates for both types of editing depend on the word count of the document. Developmental editing is more expensive because it is more detailed.

Manuscript assessment is another service I provide, and it involves me reading through the manuscript and then delivering a memo outlining the book’s areas for improvement (as well as strengths, too!), in addition to any potential obstacles I see on theirr path to publication.

I also work with authors to draft query letters (or edit existing ones they may have) that they will be sending out to agents and publishers to get them excited about their book.

Finally, I offer customizable coaching packages for folks that would like a little extra encouragement, guidance, and/or hand-holding. I do one-off coaching calls that are about an hour, or I do monthly coaching, which involves multiple calls and lots and lots of emailing.

So here are some things you might find me doing on any given day:

1)    Doing a coaching call with an author who is writing a memoir and is trying to decide whether to self-publish or publish traditionally.

2)    Copy editing a thriller about a police offer whose quest to save an abused wife leaves her haunted by her past.

3)    Developmental editing a business book based on lessons learned from one of the world’s most famous bands.

4)    Speaking at a writer’s conference about mistakes and missteps even the best authors make.

5)    Writing new blog entries and newsletters, and scheduling those for publication.

6)    Doing publishing research to keep up with the latest news in the world of books, as well as making sure I am sharing the information my author clients need to do.

7)    Working with a monthly coaching client to put together a writing schedule that works for him.

8)    Spending way too much time looking for funny book- and writing-related memes.

9)    Being interviewed on a podcast for entrepreneurs, discussing how a book is a great way to grow one’s business.

Do you have any questions about book coaches? Just comment below and let me know!

Introducing the Author’s Roadmap, a boutique service offered to authors who are ready, really ready, to realize their long-held dreams of being published.

First we’ll begin with a 60-minute call in which we’ll get to know one another. You tell me about you and your book and what your big, audacious dreams are for getting it published (and even after that). You ask me whatever questions you have and together we identify which roadblocks are keeping you from getting to your last stop.

After we meet, you’ll send me your manuscript and I’ll dive deep within it, identifying which aspects will be most attractive to publishers, literary agents, and readers – and which might need a little work (and then I’ll tell you how to fix them).

Finally, I’ll give you the steps you will need to take to get your book published, and beloved by readers everywhere. Looking for a literary agent? I’ll tell you how to get there. Self-publishing? I’ll get you there, too.

It can be hard to know which way to go, and the options can feel overwhelming.

I’m here to get you where you need to be: published.

​Are you ready to play big?