1. Go on a reading course.
Nobody wants to hear this, everybody ignores it. It’s not sexy advice. But it matters. To write in a given style you must steep yourself in that style. Say you want to write a chick lit book. Before you start, pop down to your bookstore. Get the Shopaholic books, Jill Mansell, Jenny Colgan, Lisa Jewell, Mike Gayle, etc etc. Buy only bestsellers. At least ten books by ten different authors, or you’ll wind up copying one person’s style. Then take a month and read them all. This is how good you have to be.
2. Plan your own story
Get the title, the lead characters, the setting, the plot overview and the chapter by chapter breakdown all sorted before you start writing one word. The novel will not write itself.
3. Set yourself a word target and stick with it
Each day, write 500-1000 words. Always read through your work at the end of the day. Keep going and be consistent.
4. Set it aside and revise
When you are done, put the manuscript aside for one week. Re-read your favourite book from Step One. Then go back to your own work. Is it anything like that good? If not, revise. All us pros do it.
5. Buy The Writers’ Handbook
Buy The Writers’ Handbook, read the chapters on submissions, and submit to agents. NEVER TO PUBLISHERS, EVER. Publishers look seriously only at agented work, and agents do not want clients whose work has been rejected.
Do not write a “cute” cover letter. Do not tell them this is the greatest thing they’ve ever read and it will make them millions. Send a brief letter, a sample chapter and a one-page synopsis, with a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
If it is good enough, one of them will agree to represent you. If many agents reject the work, it is probably not good enough to make it.
One more note. You only get one chance to be fresh new talent for an agent. So take endless time perfecting your manuscript before you send it out to agents. Don’t rush what may be your best shot.
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