The most important lesson I learned is to thoroughly plan from the outset. I would have saved myself considerable effort and time.
The most important lesson I learned is to thoroughly plan from the outset. I would have saved myself considerable effort and time.
To keep working on and on and on until it's done. Also, to appreciate the role and value of coffee in novel writing. :)
I agree with Rosie, just go. If you block, and cannot think of a single idea, just write anything, and then something will come.
Another of the many lessons for me was to let the characters of the leash. Create them and then free them to develop and deepen their personalities. Even some of those that I know well, surprise me with the things they say and do.
The time you spend not writing is when your mind creates the best characters and takes your plot where it needs to go.
I start with an idea and a few freestyle paragraphs then I go and do something else (the gym, cook dinner, long walk) before I know it everything has come to life and I can start plotting properly.