Just because you think your novel’s done, it doesn’t mean you’re done. Not by a longshot. If you’re serious about being a writer, then you can’t just stop when the last word is written for one story. Keep writing. Always. Make sure there’s a new project in the works at all times.

What can you do to maintain the creative flow of words? Well, you can always do another edit on the novel you just finished. There’s no such thing as too much editing.

Research the markets and submit your novel: either through a query, a query plus sample chapters, or a query plus completed manuscript. Read the submission guidelines thoroughly and only submit what the publisher asks for. And make sure it’s submitted in the requested format. If the publisher asks for single-space Times Roman font 12, then don’t send the manuscript using some obscure font theme like Algerian just because you like the way it looks.

While your novel is doing the rounds of publishers, it’s time to start a new project: a novel, some short stories, articles, journaling, blogging – even book reviews are a productive way to keep the creative juices flowing. Not only are you reading other ‘great’ (and not-so-great) books on the market, you’re learning from their successes (and failures) and you’re writing. Yes, the review itself does require that you write, complete with a beginning, middle, and end. It’s also a great way to start promoting yourself as an established author. Why? Because your name is attached to the review you write.

With more projects on the go, you’ll never run out of writing prompts – each new writing project will morph into another writing project. The thing is, even when the rejection letters start pouring in (with the current shortage of toilet paper, you could make suitable use of these rejections), keep plowing forward: keep writing!

Stumped as to where to start with a new project? Book reviewing not spurring you on? Here are some writing prompts to get you going. Remember, even if it’s a mere writing exercise, it’s still writing. And, who knows what little exercise will be useful in a future masterpiece?

1 – Establish a routine to make sure you write something every day – no excuses allowed. Remember five minutes is better than zero.

2 – The blank page (paper or on a screen) making your mind go numb? Quickly write down the first noun that pops into your head. Write it in the center of the page and circle it. Now add words that relate to it in some way, other nouns or adjectives that describe it. Make a balloon pattern around each of these words around the initial noun in the center. Now write down every verb you can think of that might relate or be used by this noun. For example, think of a table as your noun. It could be described as big, large, red, etc. and it may also be associated with chairs and floor, etc. Verbs might include: toppled, crashed, supported, etc. Now take this idea one step further and write a descriptive paragraph about the noun you chose, using most, if not all, your adjectives, supportive nouns, and verbs. Keep what you’ve written. If it doesn’t develop into anything substantial after this exercise, it might come in handy for a scene in your next novel or short story.

3 – Make a list of catchy titles. Choose one to start a story. Here are some ideas:

          Once Upon a Story

          The Night of the Black Moon

          The Dead Bird

          Sudden Silence

          Bunny Tails

4 – Write some character sketches on potential characters. This exercise can begin with finding sifting through images in magazines or online and describe the character, starting with physical characteristics. Here’s an example: 

Ishaan is an eight-year-old boy who just moved to Ottawa from Sri Lanka. Though he speaks little English, he can tell others have welcomed him. He lives in a ramshackle three-storey house with a massive basement. His neighbors say that the house is haunted, but he has never seen anything. In fact, the house was quieter than his old house, a simple bungalow, where he lived with his three brothers. He stands five feet three inches tall and his black hair covers his brown eyes. His large room looks out over the other house, as it is on a high, grassy hill. He is so tall that his brothers, who are older, are shorter than him; but they still tease him because they know that he isn’t tough.

5 – Repeat the exercise in #4, only this time choosing a place, anywhere in the world. Using your powers of description, set the stage for another great story.

6 – Take one of the following sentences and use it as the first sentence to a story or novel (or find other great first lines to get you motivated):

What the....? What the...? Where are we?

“I'll fetch the executioner myself,” said the King eagerly.

I came back to my time and space and this is all that remained.

The floodwaters have receded and the soil has turned into huge, chapped craters.

Eric opened the fortune cookie with reverence and read the inscribed words hidden inside: “You are dead.”

The bottom line is you have to keep writing. Waiting for publishers to respond can be frustrating. Reading countless rejection letters can be discouraging. But writing, any kind of writing, will improve your writing craft, will make you into a stronger, better writer.