Writing Tips #1

Turn off all distractions (or don't) - Some people work best in quiet; some people work best when there's some background noise.  Either way, embrace it.  Don't try to write in a certain environment if it's not your style, because what works for other people, might not work for you.  I know I work best when I have a TV show or some music going on because, I don't know, multitasking?  If you like working quietly, Scrivener has a great element that lets you go full screen and block out any distraction while you're working.

Write honestly - You know what?  It's easy to fall into the trap of writing like someone else or at least taking inspiration from someone else, and that's fine, but your writing voice is going to be uniquely your own.  It's going to be what sets you apart from everyone else in the field and what people will remember about you.  J.K. Rowling?  Steven King?  George R.R. Martin?  They all have very different writing styles and that's why their books fly off of the shelves.  Take how inspired you feel when you read those great authors' books and then turn it into courage to write about things that have never been written before and in a way that is completely new and fresh.  Take your best idea and just go with it without fear of judgement.

Love what you write - Trends happen in every area of life.  Car trends, fashion trends, and book trends.  Remember after Twilight how bookshelves were full of vampire books?  And then werewolf books?  And then mermaid/dragon/siren/yeti books?  (Okay, maybe yeti books haven't hit it big.  Yet.)  The point is, trends fade out and people get tired of it.  Write what you want to write without worrying about if it's popular right now or if it gets teenage hearts beating.  Does it get your heart beating?  That's the important question.

Write drunk.  Edit sober.  - I don't think this one needs explaining.  No, but really, if you're feeling self-conscious about your writing, knock back a drink or two, and when your inhibitions fall, make a good life choice and write.  The next day, when you read through what you write, I guarantee you'll find a gem or two that make you wonder why it's not socially acceptable to drink at all times of the day.  Just saying.

You don't have to write a lot - This is a trap I fall into pretty often.  I think to myself (I have a lot of grandiose thoughts) that I'm going to marathon write an entire novel over my winter break (or some such nonsense) and of course it doesn't happen.  You know why?  Because we're all busy people!  But the good news is, I guarantee if you really want to write, really want to, you'll be able to find at least a little bit of time for it.  Schedule it into your day like one of those doctor appointments you get fined for if you miss.  Spare your manuscript a ten or fifteen minutes before bedtime.  The point is not quantity or even quality.  The point is that you're writing and that's enough.

What writing tips do you have?