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1. Read: 

Join you local library and get your own ticket. Read everything you can get hold of - novels, papers, magazines, flyers. If something gives you an idea make a note of it or if it’s in a paper or magazine, cut it out and keep it. 

If you want to write a best selling novel, read best selling novels. (That’s how John Grisham started.) Look at the top ten in book shops, libraries or the weekend papers. 

Join a reading group and talk about books. 

2. Start now: 

If you want to write, start now! Buy a notebook and a decent pen or a supply of pencils. (Or just sit at the computer for a few minutes.) Never, ever think, ‘I don’t have anything to write about,’ because everybody has something to write about. Write about your day so far. What was the weather like first thing this morning? What did you have for breakfast? Describe your first journey today: was it to school, college, work, the newsagents, town? How did you travel? Were you stuck in a traffic jam? Did you hear any interesting conversations on the bus or did you meet anyone as you walked along the road? 

3. Find space: 

Once you’ve actually started, it’s helpful to set aside a definite time for writing. If you leave it to the end of the day, you’ll be too tired to write anything. Try this: set aside one Saturday morning a month, to begin with. Try to write when you’re full of energy and enthusiasm. Quite often, when we feel bored with something we’re writing, it’s because we’re tired.

4. Don’t worry: 

When you’re writing your first draft, don’t worry too much about spelling, punctuation and grammar. All that can be corrected later. Try to write as you feel; write as you think. Let your characters come alive on the page; paint a detailed backcloth to the action. 

5. Be kind:

When you’re reading through your first draft, be kind to yourself. Don’t rip it up just yet. Think about how it can be improved. Acknowledge that it’s just the beginning. 

6. Move on: 

Now is the time to ask yourself a few questions: Is this story going anywhere? Is it a good idea? Are the characters believable? Would anybody, apart from me, enjoy reading it? Do I really want to develop this story? If the answer to these questions is yes, look at your work again. How could it be improved? Now is the time to start being critical in a positive and constructive way.

7. Ask a friend: 

When you’ve finished work on a story, ask a friend to read it for you. A good friend will read it and respond with an honest opinion. Then you can decide what to do next. 

8. Decision Time:

Not everybody wants to write for an audience. You might just want to write a journal or a blog for yourself or your children or grandchildren to read. You might want to share it with the rest of the world. If that’s the case and you’re serious about writing for a wider audience, now is the time to consult the ‘Writers’ and Artists’ Year Book’, available in all good libraries, to see what to do next. A good way of sharing your ideas with a local audience is to join a Writers’ Group. You’ll receive constructive feedback and discover how other writers operate.

9. Study the market: 

Spend time in libraries or bookshops looking at publishers who might be interested in your work. Check the websites of Agents and Publishers if you’re interested in submitting your work to them. If they say, ’no unsolicited manuscripts,’ they won’t read yours, even if it is brilliant. Don’t waste your time or postage sending anything to them. Focus on publishers or agents who welcome new submissions.

10. Good Luck: 

If you’re ready to send your story to an agent or publisher, make sure to place the correct amount of postage on the envelope and always include a stamped addressed envelope. Good Luck!

If you want further advice about writing, visit my Advice Page