Tips for Serious Writers
August, 2010
Listen to readers when they tell you what kinds of books they like, what they finish, what they don’t. Their comments are great lessons. Never feel put off because the jewel that’s growing in your head and heart doesn’t seem to match the best-sellers. It’ll come together.
Every writer has a “soul story” that he must write. That she must tell.
Remember this – every tale can be angled to fit a genre – mystery, suspense, romance, science fiction, fantasy, historical, mainstream and so on. Maybe your story is for and about a child.
The difference between mystery and suspense is this:
In the great and glorious, timeless mystery, a terrible deed has already been done. The gadget is gone, the body is found. Now your sleuth, where it’s a police officer, crime lab worker, fry cook or frumpy housewife, must figure out who did it. And why.
Suspense can, of course, incorporate mystery. But a suspenseful novel is just that – the reader knows something terrible is about to happen, and it’s up the sleuth to stop it in time.
More about these genres later. Right now, know this: Every germ of an idea can and must be added-to, arranged and rearranged, timelines worked, additional characters brought on-scene. Think theater, with its lighting and shadows, costumes and background music to heighten the effect.
The funniest or most profound tale can be streamlined to fit today’s market if you work at it. Don’t ever slam a trashcan lid on your own story gem.
For writers of non-fiction.
- In writing your articles and non-fiction books, look for the stories behind the oft-told stories. I was a freelance writer for 25 years, and I learned that all editors love the well-hidden anecdotes that no one has heard before. In order to find these gems, you’ll have to do some talking and some real excavating!
- In self-help articles, readers love the sound of human voices. Thus, quotes are golden – and you don’t need only references with PhDs in your subject. Consider interviewing ordinary folks who’ve lived this experience, overcome this obstacle – they have opinions and advice to share. There are organizations on almost any topic now.