Terri George
Three words: Just Do It.
Don't listen to anyone else. If you feel you won't get the support of those nearest and dearest (and some people can be negative about you saying you want to write − it's what other people do) then don't tell them. It can be your secret. That's okay.
So you haven't got a degree in English Literature? Who says you need one? If you can read, you can write. All you need is a love of books and the need to write. Yes, you do need to write. It's not something you think you'll 'have a go at', it's a driving passion that won't be ignored.
Three more words: Read, read and read − okay that's four words.
All writers read. I've always read. I was encouraged to read from a small child. I can't comprehend people who (sometimes quite proudly) state they've never read a book in their lives. Study books, especially in the genre you want to write and decide what you loved about them and what you didn't. Study the story's structure. Again, this may sound less than creative and writing's all about the creative right? Well, yes and no. The creativity comes from creating your characters and the story, but the narrative has to have a frame work; things have to happen − unless you're Anne Tyler and often nothing much seems to happen, but then she's an expert at seeing the beauty in the minutiae of ordinary lives and in a class of her own.
Have someone you trust review your work as you write.
Every writer has self doubt − can I really write? Find someone who will read as you write and give honest constructive feedback; someone who reads a lot and especially reads the genre you're writing.
It's best not to ask a friend as they may feel hesitant in saying anything negative. And you do need to hear and take the negative on board. If something isn't working for your reader it probably won't work for readers in general so you have to address it. If you trust the person and know they have your best interests at heart don't be put off by them saying they don't like something. Take it as a positive sign that this person is doing a good job for you. I had a friend of a friend (who I don't know) read Beguiled a chapter at a time. Goodreads is great because there are plenty of readers who will be more than happy to read your work as you write and help you make your book the very best it can be.
Don't listen to anyone else. If you feel you won't get the support of those nearest and dearest (and some people can be negative about you saying you want to write − it's what other people do) then don't tell them. It can be your secret. That's okay.
So you haven't got a degree in English Literature? Who says you need one? If you can read, you can write. All you need is a love of books and the need to write. Yes, you do need to write. It's not something you think you'll 'have a go at', it's a driving passion that won't be ignored.
Three more words: Read, read and read − okay that's four words.
All writers read. I've always read. I was encouraged to read from a small child. I can't comprehend people who (sometimes quite proudly) state they've never read a book in their lives. Study books, especially in the genre you want to write and decide what you loved about them and what you didn't. Study the story's structure. Again, this may sound less than creative and writing's all about the creative right? Well, yes and no. The creativity comes from creating your characters and the story, but the narrative has to have a frame work; things have to happen − unless you're Anne Tyler and often nothing much seems to happen, but then she's an expert at seeing the beauty in the minutiae of ordinary lives and in a class of her own.
Have someone you trust review your work as you write.
Every writer has self doubt − can I really write? Find someone who will read as you write and give honest constructive feedback; someone who reads a lot and especially reads the genre you're writing.
It's best not to ask a friend as they may feel hesitant in saying anything negative. And you do need to hear and take the negative on board. If something isn't working for your reader it probably won't work for readers in general so you have to address it. If you trust the person and know they have your best interests at heart don't be put off by them saying they don't like something. Take it as a positive sign that this person is doing a good job for you. I had a friend of a friend (who I don't know) read Beguiled a chapter at a time. Goodreads is great because there are plenty of readers who will be more than happy to read your work as you write and help you make your book the very best it can be.
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