Category Archives: Author Advice

Originally posted in June last year and today for https://fivedotoh.com/2022/06/24/fandangos-flashback-friday-june-24th/ Do you start writing your novel with the weather or is it Pathetic Fallacy? In my mind, l it is a bit of both. Most writers today will avoid starting their novel with the weather. However, in historical texts, Pathetic Fallacy – where the weatherContinue reading “Author Advice – Do you start a novel with the weather?”

When scrolling through social media, I always see writers asking about what would be a great title for their book. They can write a whole novel, but find it difficult to find its name. My latest book ‘It Won’t Happen Again’ was originally called Behind Closed Doors. At first, it seemed a fitting title, butContinue reading “Author Advice – Titles”

There is a famous saying – everyone’s first draft is rubbish. It’s true. Even the greatest authors in the world will not write a perfect narrative first time round. Whether you type on a computer, or write by hand – let the story guide you. Don’t worry about the mistakes that inevitably will be there.Continue reading “Author Advice – First drafts”

When I first started writing, then I wrote what I had experienced. I was bullied as a child. I wanted to show, through my writing, that bullying was a problem that needed to be spoken about, even if I couldn’t speak out myself. However, It Won’t Happen Again wasn’t born from experience. I found outContinue reading “Author Advice – Do you write what you know?”

I have seen comments on social media from new writers wondering whether they need to read books to be able to write them. In my opinion, reading is important, but you don’t necessarily need to be reading. You can be listening too. Audio books are becoming more popular, and a great way to be partContinue reading “Author Advice – Does reading matter?”

I would be lying if I said I chose self publishing over traditional. Traditional is the dream every writer aims for. Not only because they are able to market your book in a way that generate sales, but it it someone else to believe in something you have worked hard to complete. Writing a bookContinue reading “Author Advice – Self publish or traditional?”

If in the process of writing your very first sentence of your novel; it is important to make your main character believable. Not only them, but the protagonist and supporting cast. The advice I was given when I first started writing was to ask your main character questions. What type of food do they like,Continue reading “Author Advice – How do I make my main character believable.”

The first thing your reader will see is the book cover, You can just download pictures off the internet? No. Many images are not copyright free. You cannot use them without permission. You can search for copyright free images, but they tend to be generic, and you want your cover to stand out. There isContinue reading “Author Advice – Book Covers”

You’ve finished your manuscript. Had it beta read and sent to an editor. You are happy with the results. What do you do now? It is easy and free to self publish your book. Avoid any company that charge you to publish. From my experience you pay the money, and see nothing much in return.Continue reading “Self Publishing Advice”