We were overwhelmed with the response to our Writers Boot Camp announcement.
The site went down from too much traffic the first day and and registration was completely filled after just 36 hours. If you missed landing a spot and you’re interested to being the first to know of any future events, simply fill out the form below:
BE THE FIRST TO KNOW
In the meantime, here are 10 tips to become a better writer:
1. Discover Your Creative Sweet Spot. Notice the specific days of the week that are your prime writing times.
2. Stock your writing library. Check out these 8 reads that make me a better writer.
3. Remember: A book is written 1000 words at a time.
4. Writer’s block is for amateurs and wannabes. Get over it.
5. Write an introduction. Then delete it. You didn’t need it. See, the manuscript is better already.
6. Go “Boom!” with the last sentence of every chapter.
7. Write as if everyone is dead. Edit as if everyone is alive and breathing over your shoulder.
8. Eliminate every excess word.
9. Make your editor your best-est friend on the whole planet.
10. Writer’s conferences are the best way to learn what’s working in publishing in real time.
What is one thing you struggle with most as a writer?
(Leave your answer as a comment)
In answer to your question, FOCUS presents the greatest challenge for me. So many ideas jump into consciousness, Sorting them and streaming them into coherence for reading requires discipline and attention to detail. I suppose this helps define the word WORK, do you think?
Ooh. I have the perfect post for you on Wednesday. Stay tuned!
I think mine is the discipline to make the time to sit down and do it.
I find myself with a thought and automatically think “Ooh, I’ll have to write about that next time I have time”. I’m pretty sure I’ve lost several good ideas that way. I’m commuting to carrying a small notebook with me so I can quickly jot down the idea when it’s not a convenient time to write.
You’re not alone in that one, Tara.
My biggest problem is thinking that anything I could possibly say has been addressed already, and probably better than I could write it. VERY discouraging right out of the gate!
I hear you, Dawn!
I find that my biggest challenge is feeling that it isn’t good enough and then deleting it..even when others say it is good. I am much too critical and it often keeps me from doing it because I am not sure I am doing it correctly. Writers block happens a lot too, then there are days when I can just flow. Do you have a way of handling the critic in your head? I aknow I am an amateur now but I won’t always be one, I am determined to not give up. It just feels so personal.
We are our worst critics, aren’t we?
The thing that stops me from writing is fear. I’m afraid of failure. I’m afraid because I feel I don’t know what I’m doing (and I’m sooooo grateful I got into your conference). But whenever I remember what it is God called me to do and don’t try to write everything else I have more confidence – excitement even. I’m working on staying focused on that purpose rather than flitting around to anything that suits my fancy and distracts me from what I need to do. I appreciate you and other writers who encourage us newbies to get started and to keep going. See you soon, Margaret (and I’m sorry I missed you at Scum a couple of weeks ago. I’ve been on sabbatical to recover from ministry so I can write my book! My husband said he enjoyed talking to you.)