1: Just write it.
I always put off writing my ideas because I feel they're not quite right, or don't know where they're headed. But being a ghostwriter for a few years means I've discovered
A: I can write REALLY fast if I want to. 20k words a day is possible.
B: Writer's block is temporary, and 90% of the time, ideas flow from each other.
So write, the more you write, the more you grow.
2: Your first publishing rights are FIRST publishing rights.
Now my book is published on Amazon, it's done. I can't get a first publication deal anywhere else. Choose your platforms well.
3: If you don't publish, you don't sell.
That said, sitting around for five years waiting for an agent, like I did, isn't doing you any favours. If nobody shows interest, publish it yourself. Any money is more than nothing!
4: The hardest part is letting go.
With your characters, your ideas, even whole chapters, sometimes what you want just doesn't work. It SOUNDS cool at first, but it doesn't fit. Edit it out. Kill your darlings. Make the book readable, not just full of bits you think sound clever or interesting.
5: Get external editors.
Pay someone, or just get friends to read it and give you recommendations. They may not be writers, but they ARE readers, and they'll let you know what they'd buy.
6: Rewriting may be the best thing you do.
As per 4, sometimes it's hard to let go of bits you love. When I found it hard, I would just delete the whole section and start over. It's much easier to avoid the temptation of keeping something that doesn't fit when it's not there. If you just edit around it, you may never fix the problem.
7: Write what you love.
They say write what you know. Which is important too. But what you know best of all might be your current job... which you might hate. Instead, write what you love. Your passion will shine through.
8: Even if it doesn't do great, at least you did it.
Mine is published. I published it for the Amazon Storyteller contest, but unless I get 60 reviews I won't even shortlist. Which means, chances are, the judges won't even see it. I wish they would, and next year I'll go for it again, because I'm confident my work is a great and engaging read. And here comes the next lesson: I'm not going to win, but at least I feel I deserve to win. I feel I did well. I feel my work will eventually make it. No matter how badly you bomb at first, or how many times you mess up, keep your head high and keep going. You'll make it.
9: Perfection isn't worth the pain.
I'm a terrible perfectionist. Why did 130k words take me 5 years to write, when ghostwriting I manage 20k a day? Because vanity. I felt my work had to be "just so". It had to be perfect. I felt like if this book wasn't perfect, I would never be a writer. But perfection is subjective. And if I can do better, all I have to do is keep working and one day I WILL do better. This year I submitted Book I of my series to the competition. Next year I'll submit Book II. And I won't worry about perfection, I'll just write.
10: I'd do it all again.
Even though I have a load of things I'll do differently in the future, I have no regrets. I'm glad I took 5 years to work out perfection isn't realistic. I'm glad I submitted my book to the contest. I'm glad I worked as a ghostwriter. It has helped me to grow as a writer. There are no dead-ends in writing, just learning curves.
PS: If you'd like to see my book and maybe help me to at least shortlist, check it out here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071VP71GS There's a free promotion running until the 19th, so give it a whirl and review it as honestly as you can. Any help is appreciated!
Alice Payne.
