Tips For Writers, From a Writer

Okay, so I know I don't know everything, and you may or may not enjoy this...but I'm going to give you a list or two of things that could help you out with your writing, so you can write in a way that you'll enjoy writing...but also make sure others enjoy it.

• Write about something you're inspired to write about.  Unless it's for a class, and you're required to write something you don't really care about, write about something that inspires you.  Write about something that just BOOM pops into your mind.  It will mean a lot more to you, and you'll be more likely to write more often, and enjoy writing it.
• Write in a way that would make it interesting for you to read.  If you enjoy reading it, it's likely that others will as well.
• Talk about your ideas with friends, and family, and fellow authors.  Friends have the wonderful ability to completely encourage you, (or if they're Gavyn, build you up while tearing you down) and family knows your strengths and weaknesses, they can help you with that.  And with the fellow authors, they can help you think about it critically.  People have a hard time thinking about their own work critically....
• Go through the story twice.  Once when you write it the first time, while your creative juices are flowing, and once again when you're done, to catch errors, and fix plot gaps.  Then turn it over to either a professional editor, or a friend you know is infamous for correcting other people's grammar and punctuation, and reading lots of books.  They'll know what you need to fix and things like that.
• Don't beat yourself up too much when you realize how many mistakes you've made, after all, we all make them.

• And most of all...have fun.

~Katie :)