Do I have any writing tips?  Sure.  But we all work differently, so what works for me may not work for you.  I’m definitely not some writing expert or guru simply because some of my books have been published.   But I can share some of the things I consider and think about when I write.

Why Are You Writing?

The first question you have to ask yourself is why are you writing? Are you writing to get published? Are you writing because you enjoy it? Are you writing because you feel as though you have something to say that might be of interest to others? For some, these aren’t easy questions, but they are ones that you have to be able to answer honestly.

Write Everyday

Write everyday.  Best piece of writing advice I ever received. Even if it’s only for a minute or two, write something. You never know when that next idea or character or image or moment of inspiration will arrive. And it can’t arrive if you don’t write at least a little something.

Write What You Know, Write What You Love

When you write, especially when you’re first starting out, write about what you know, and more importantly, write about what you love. If you’re passionate about something, your fervor will come across in your written word. Also, as you write about what you know and love, often times you will be surprised at just how much you do know and love that subject area.

Own Your Ideas

Your ideas are your own.  Don’t allow anyone to tell you your ideas are not good ones.  You can’t expect your thoughts, ideas and creations to be of interest to everyone. But that doesn’t mean they’re not worthy.

Be Thick-Skinned

No, not everyone is going to like your ideas, and in this world, people are always happy to be critical. So you have to be thick-skinned. You can’t take criticism personally. If something doesn’t work for someone else, it can still work for you. By the same token, be willing to listen. Maybe there are ways to improve what you have started. Chances are…