To accept the need to rewrite, rewrite and rewrite no matter how long it takes. It’s tough sometimes especially to accept the need to rewrite a novel. But I’ve never regretted editing like this and inevitably my work is stronger for it. I’ve been told I’m very good at getting into my characters’ heads.
Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?
Don’t give up. Read widely and include non-fiction if you write fiction as factual accounts can spark off interesting ideas to help you flesh out your made up worlds. Be professional with spelling, grammar, how you present your work, following competition and/or submission instructions. Be ready for criticism, fair or otherwise. Always be prepared to take a critical look at your own work after giving it a period of “resting”. You then re-read your work with a fresh eye and it is easier to spot weaknesses in story structure, plot, and characters and so on then. Above all, enjoy the whole writing process from thinking of the initial idea to what seems like the umpteenth rewrite. You need to love it to be able to do it and stick with it – as the actress said to the bishop!
What is your favourite thing to write?
I love writing dialogue regardless of whether I’m writing a script, novel or short story. Dialogue is a wonderful way to move the plot along too and to show aspects of a character’s life (how educated they are for a start, do they use proper grammar when speaking?). I also love reading well-crafted dialogue because it flows, you can hear the character behind it and it brings the story to life.