Tuesday, March 15, 2011

What I Wish I Knew When I Started # 7 & 8

# 7

Write from the heart! If you don't love what you are writing, chances are other people won't love it either. So put yourself into your book--your passions, your fears, your experiences. And write something you love.

#8

You've been through a lot of good times and bad times, right? True love, death, financial struggles, perfect days at the lake, world crisis . . . yeah, you've all been through some of that. So you know how it feels, both the good and the bad. Well, use in your writing the emotions you experienced because nothing sounds truer than the truth. I don't mean write what you went through! I mean, write something new for your character, but pull from your vast emotional pool to show us how your character feels!

And for a recap of all the things I wish I knew when I started . . .

#1 Less is more, especially in YA!
#2 The delete button is your friend. Cherish it. Love it! USE IT!
#3 Writing the initial manuscript is only the tip of the iceberg. The real work is the rewriting!
#4 Take criticism and learn to use it! You'll be a better writer for it.
#5 Give your story time to come out. Your amazing brain will improve upon it, like a cheese growing richer over time.
#6 You can change anything in your writing. Remember, there are no limits!

And on another note,

I'm listed on Goodreads!

SHIFTING is currently listed without its amazing cover, but that will be coming in the near future (and it is swoon-worthy). So, if you want to know a bit more about my book, go check out Goodreads for the blurb, and if it sounds like something you might enjoy, mark it as to-read.


11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi! Great post! I use the LESS IS MORE motto alot now thanks to you! I will be heading over to GoodReads now! Can't wait to read Shifting!

Tere Kirkland said...

That is such great news about Shifting! So cool. Thanks for these posts, they're good reminders! ;)

JEM said...

Sigh, I love these. Preach it!

Angie said...

Great advice. Congrats on being on Goodreads. Going to add it to my shelf right now!

Unknown said...

Great advice. Congrats on being listed on Goodreads.

Bethany Wiggins said...

Gina, I heart you! Everyone else, I heart you too!!!

Jemi Fraser said...

Congrats on making it to Goodreads- won't be long now :)

Writing from the heart is huge - thanks for all these tips :)

amberargyle said...

Yay for Goodreads!!!!!!!!!

It's been phenomenal for my book. I've had over 1,100 requests for the giveaway in under 2 weeks.

Jacqueline Howett said...

Funny, I was thinking of this just this morning, and made a note to myself, 'become inspired.' I think I must have read this somewhere else yesterday, maybe at Goodreads and here I am....so thanks for the reminder as I tackle some short pieces!

I have also placed your book, SHIFTING on my Goodreads to-read list. Thanks.

Author of The Greek Seaman novel, Secret Passion of Twins, (Short Story) and Amorphous Angelic, Selected Poems.

Anonymous said...

Woo-hoo, congrats!

I'm loving these tips...just recently I've been thinking about how to go deeper with my character's emotions--I think you hit the nail on the head with writing from the heart. Thanks!

Caleb said...

That is awesome, and it sounds awesome. I too traded my soul years ago to become the wolf that I am, so I can totally relate.