1. Be honest with yourself. Are you ready to fully commit to writing a book? Why do you want to write it? And most importantly - would you want to read it if it were written by someone else?
2. Collect real-life stories. This is where all fiction stems from. Observe and listen to people. There are no stories without people. Every person carries a good story within them, even if they don’t realise it.
3. Visit places. Places are goldmines – they can dictate the whole narrative. Acquaint yourself with the place, soak in its atmosphere, notice colours and smells, listen for its unique sounds. It doesn’t matter if it’s real or imaginary – spend some time in it.
4. Do your research. Google isn’t enough. Relying solely on the internet is like using cake mix instead of individually sourced ingredients to bake a cake. You’ll end up with a cake that looks and tastes like millions of other cakes.
5. Ask questions. ‘What would happen if?’ is a really good kick-off point. The most daring questions produce the most compelling scenarios. Don’t be afraid to leave your comfort zone.
6. Write every day, even when the muse is having a day off. She can be a fickle girl. But being a writer is a craft that needs practice, consistency, and endurance. Writing a novel is a marathon, not a sprint.
7. Let your characters hijack the plot, even if it changes your original plan. It’s a really satisfying moment when that happens - it means the characters and your story have come alive.
8. Find yourself a good Beta Reader – a trusted friend who is not a writer, but can give you feedback from the point of view of a regular reader. Beta Readers are worth their weight in gold.
9. Once you’ve finished writing the manuscript, go back to the beginning and write the first sentence again. A lot hinges on that opening line.
10. Read as much as you can. There’s nothing more inspiring than a well-written novel.
