In the first part of my article covering tips for new writers, I discussed the importance of reading plenty of books on the subject and practising the art of writing, people watching to get ideas for characters and most of all not being afraid to follow your passion. There are other points that I think that are important too, which I am going to cover in this article.  

Planning: For me, planning the structure of my new writing project is second nature, as I am an obsessive list maker. But for many new writers, I know this may seem just an extra burden on your workload. However, making a detailed plan of what you are going to write each day makes it much easier than having an array of ideas on a page in no particular order. The usual rule of thumb is to spend twice the amount of time planning your novel than you do writing it. If, for instance, you take two months to plan your novel, you will have the time to write detailed backstories for every main character right down to their strange mannerisms and personal history. You must also plan where your conflict is going to arise and what noticeable character development can be expected. Is this going to be a series of novels? If so, plan a cliffhanger ending. The more detail you can include, the better it will be for you when it comes to writing, as you will know exactly what is going to happen scene by scene. One important point to mention, if you are going to write about serious issues such as PTSD or anxiety, for example, please ensure you do plenty of reasearch on your subject, so the scenes are as authentic as possible.  

Research is not only important when it comes to medical issues. If you are writing a novel where the lead character is a scientist, make sure you research what it is like to be a scientist. What terminologies do they use, what work do they do?  The same research is needed if your novel is set in a real city. If your story is set in New York, research the area throughly. The smallest details you can include will make all the diference to the depth and realism of the story. 

If you believe that the first draft of your novel is ready to be sent to publishers or agents, then you will face nothing but rejection. I have not met any writer that doesn't have to do at least two rewrites of their work before it is ready to be seen. No-one is a perfect writer, and the re-writes are your opportunity to add, delete or embellish certain scenes to enrich the story even further. I would suggest you leave the manuscript for at least a week and then come back to it, before you attempt your first re-write.  

The idea that writers should write about what they know doesn't mean that you should write about your daily family routine or your job. Writing about what you know translates as writing about an emotion or an experience that you have lived through. If you have suffered from depression or a divorce, then you will be more than experienced to write about it. As regards to fantasy or science fiction novels, you would not know what it is like to slay a dragon or live in outer space, but you can include an experience you have lived through int one of your characters' backstories. Real lived experiences told by a writer that has lived through them really shine through in a novel and your readers will be totally engaged. 

Finally, remember that your journey as a writer is a gradual and continous learning process. Never be afraid to ask other writers for advice or support. I have found writers are the most supportive and non-judgemental people I have ever met. Enjoy the creative process and have fun.