I’ve been procrastinating lately when I should be working on the first draft of my second novel. The doubts are creeping in: will it be scary enough, is the storyline too linear, do I need to add in more twists and turns and complications? And the ending! No idea. Well, some ideas, but none that are earth-shatteringly unique.

I must remember to keep my favourite quote in my head at all times: the first draft of anything is shit. Earnest Hemingway knew what he was talking about, and yes, I know you’ve all heard that quote before, but it’s the single most useful piece of advice when writing a first draft. In fact, I’m seriously thinking of getting the words of wisdom tattooed on my forearm!

So now I find myself reading online instead of writing, but the articles below have really helped me to just focus on getting the first draft done.

http://nybookeditors.com/2013/09/outl...

http://www.writersdigest.com/writing-...

Right, enough dithering, already – back to the novel. Now, where was I?