A Moment With CL Taylor – Five Writing Tips

CL Taylor’s novel, The Accident, was released in April by Harper Collins.

Today, she shares with us her five tips for new writers…

1.Don’t write what you know, write about something you feel passionately about. When I wrote THE ACCIDENT I wanted to explore how an abusive relationship continues to affect the victim long after it ends. I think readers can sense when the writer feels passionately about a theme and it makes the novel a more powerful, compelling read.

2.Wait for the voice of the character to appear in your head before you write a word. It makes writing your novel a million times easier. Don’t force it, just wait. She or he will speak to you when you least expect it, just make sure you write down whatever they say as quickly as you can.

3.Don’t compare yourself to other writers or assume that they have it easy or are brimming with confidence. Published authors blog and tweet about their successes and keep their failures to themselves. I know so many authors who’ve had books rejected by their agents and their editors, even after they’ve been published to critical acclaim. EVERYONE, even multi-published and award-winning authors, feel insecure about their writing ability at some time and we all reach a certain point when writing a book where we’re utterly convinced that it’s rubbish and we should ditch it and start something new. The secret is to keep writing through those insecure periods (and stock up on chocolate and wine).

4.If you’re writing your novel and suddenly find that you’re stuck it’s probably because you need to introduce some more conflict. The conflict should escalate over the course of the book so look back over what you’ve written and ensure that there’s conflict in every chapter, every scene and that each time your hero or heroine overcomes it you chuck something even worse at them.

5.When you’ve finished your first draft let your manuscript ‘rest’ for as long as you can. Put it in a drawer and start something else, or read loads of novels. Then, when a couple of weeks (months ideally) pass, take it out and grab a pen. Whenever your attention wavers or you feel bored write ‘BORED’ next to that passage. If you’re bored the reader will be too so those passages will need attention. And when you’re as happy with your book as you can be, read it aloud (to yourself). You’ll be amazed at how many sentences sound clunky.

Visit Cally’s blog.

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Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.