Writing Tips – Graeme Simsion

Graeme Simsion (photo: Michael Clayton-Jones)

Graeme offers his five writing tips. 

1. Enrol in a writing class – or at least join a writers’ group. A class will give you theory, discipline, feedback, industry savvy and encouragement.

2. Plan. Yes, some writers write by the ‘seat of their pants’ without a plan, and if that works for you, good luck and I’ll shut up. I bet it won’t. I bet you’ll get stuck about 25,000 words in, or later you’ll find you’ve written an unstructured mess. If that happens, go back and write a synopsis, then a chapter-by-chapter summary. Then start writing again with confidence you know where you’re going.

3. Write for publication. With everything you write (or almost everything) , think of where it could be published, and aim to submit it. It will encourage you to do your best, to screw up the printed manuscript you were going to send, and make it that bit better.

4. Write some short stories. They’re great for experimenting without committing a year and if you submit them for publication, you’ll get feedback and possibly a good line to add to your cv, enquiry letter, novel submission.

5. Re-write. Put your work aside, come back to it a couple of weeks later. Repeat several times. You can always make it better.

Graeme is the author of, The Rosie Project (published in paperback by Penguin, £7.99.) It’s also the book we’re currently featuring in our online book club, Book Corner.

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.