A - Z of Writing Success

Success. To make sure your writing stands the best chance of success, always follow recommended submission guidelines and address your work to a named individual. And even though you will get rejected, by repeatedly trying, you will all the time be improving your skills and increasing your chances.

Title. Never under-estimate the importance of a title. As Raymond Chandler wrote, 'A good title is the title of a successful book.' If titling an article, think of the benefits the reader would gain or an intriguing way to capture their attention. And similarly with fiction, arouse curiosity. Your title needs to appeal and draw the editor and reader in and is worth taking time to get right.

Understanding. When you write, make sure you understand the message or theme you want to convey. By having this clear in your mind and understanding the purpose behind your work, your writing will be far more powerful.

A - Z of Writing Success

Presentation. It is often said ‘looks count’ and in order to impress editors you need to present your work well. Use good quality stationery and make sure your print-outs are crisp and clean. By showing you take care, editors are more likely to give your work greater consideration.

Quotations can be very useful for writers, whether in starting articles, to illustrate points or show other people's thinking on a certain subject. To help with your writing, obtaining a good quotation book could be well worth while.

Reader. When you write, always have the reader in mind. If writing for a particular age group, visualise a reader of that age reading your work. This will help you to use the right style, vocabulary and approach. Or if writing a factual piece, think of what the reader needs to know and how they can best gain and use the information you want to put across. By considering the reader, your writing will often be stronger and more appropriate.

A - Z of Writing Success

Market. In order to sell your work you need to keep informed of markets and current publishing trends. Study magazines you are interested in writing for and become familiar with their style and content. Also look at what is being promoted in bookshops and that is favoured by certain publishers. By being aware of market trends and requirements, you will be better able to style and pitch your work.

Notebook. A notebook for recording ideas, sources and thoughts is essential and wherever you go you should always aim to have a notebook with you. Ideas can strike at the unlikeliest of times and, if not jotted down, can quickly be forgotten. Also when inspiration flags, your notebook could give you some useful ideas to work on.

Originality. In order to make your writing stand out, you need to consider how you can make your work special. What new angle or perspective can you bring to a subject that makes it different from others? Be original. Look for twists and fresh approaches and this way your work will stand more chance of being noticed.

A - Z of Writing Success

Joining. To help with your writing, joining a writers’ circle or group can be of great help. Here you can get feedback on your work as well as advice and opinions from others. Writing can be a lonely occupation and by meeting others your writing can not only benefit but you will have the chance to meet others who share your interests.

Know-how. In order to write effectively you will need to discover what works. And the best way to obtain this and the writing know-how is to read other writers in the subjects and genres you are interested in.

Learning. As a writer it is important to be aware and learn about what is going on. Whether it is learning about new publications or reading and widening your general knowledge, by being prepared to develop, your writing and skills will benefit.

A - Z of Writing Success

Genre. Choose your genre well. Write in the areas you know about rather than be tempted by markets which you may think offer big returns but which you are not really comfortable with. If you enjoy what you write this will show through in your work.

Humour. When appropriate try and inject some humour or light relief into what you write. This could be an anecdote, a quote or curious fact but its inclusion can help to make your writing more enjoyable and illustrate points in a more memorable way.

Ideas are essential to a writer and ideas are all around. Observe what is going on, look to newspapers and the media for inspiration. By being aware, by wondering, by asking ‘what if?’ you will find ideas coming more readily.

Your Subconcious

In this posting I would like to share a tip which has served me particularly well. And it is an unusual one and perhaps not found in many writing manuals.

When you are wanting an idea, whether for a story or article, tell yourself 'I need an idea' and leave this thought to dwell in your subconcious. When it is ready, your subconcious will respond.

Barbara Cartland used this method on many an occasion to help her come up with new plot scenarios and only last Sunday I told myself I needed a new article idea. By Monday morning I had one and an editor has already expressed interest.

Do remember the power of the subconcious. Put in requests. Tell yourself what you want - and you will get answers.

It is really effective.

Try it and I hope you will enjoy some good results.

Neil

Writing Output

I have been asked how many words I write a day?

The answer is probably about 2000 although sometimes, when I have a lot of editing to do, it is much less. I try to have 2 main writing sessions - first thing in the morning and this is when I write on Chinese horoscopes - the second is the afternoon when I write or revise articles.

Although it is always interesting to know how much writers write each day, I feel the main thing is not so much the number of words but that you do actually write something. Even if you are only able to write 50 or 100, at least over time your words will mount up.

As a writer, do aim to write something everyday - it will help your output and your craft.

Good luck - and do please email me with any questions.

Story Endings

In recent weeks I have heard several writers read out short stories they have written. Interestingly most of these stories started really well and drew you into the action and characterisation quite quickly. They then tailed off and with the concluding part of the story a disappointment.

It is possible these writers began their stories with the beginning and opening very clear in their mind and then, as they wrote, thought up the conclusion.

Some writers do write this way and see where their stories and characters take them. I know one detective writer who does not know whodunit until their story is quite advanced. However if you write this way, once you have written your story you do need to consider your conclusion carefully.

Does it satisfy the reader?
Is there a good twist?
Does it end in the strongest possible way?
Does your story end with a 'bang,' ie deliver the conclusion and then finish rather than peter out.

The beginning of any story is very important as you need to draw the reader in. But the ending also has to be strong, particularly if you are hoping to interest an editor with your work.

If you write fiction, do pay attention to your ending and make sure it is strong and satisfying. Just as writers like to give thought to beginnings, this is equally true of endings - and besides, a strong ending can always increase the chance of acceptance.

Keys to Writing Success Part 11. Naming Characters

Sherlock Holmes.

One of the most famous and enduring names in fiction.

It has a special quality. Different, intriguing and also possibly a little remote.

It is a name we remember.

And names in fiction are supremely important.

As Emile Zola wrote, 'I always judge a young author by the names which he bestows on his characters. If the names seem to be weak or unsuitable on the people who bear them, I put the author down as a man of little talent, and am no further interested in the book.'

You can choose names from books containing name lists - for instance Baby Names, online or by looking through the phone book. One name I conjured up for one of my characters in my one and only novel was Ma Demuth, with the Demuth coming from the phone book. Although the novel is unpublished those who have read it, remember Ma Demuth well.

It really is worth spending the time to create good and appropriate character names, particularly as it can help make your characters remain in the minds of readers.

Keys to Writing Success Part 9 - Successful Timing

Before mentioning a new writing tip, many thanks to all who have contacted me through this blog. Also, some have also enquired about my new book, Your Chinese Horoscope 2008. For American readers this is now available for purchase from Barnes and Noble. If you would like to order a signed copy, please visit my website, http://neilsomerville.com

My writing tip this week is this: plan and look ahead. Magazines often work several months ahead and although we are in early October, many Christmas editions have been or are about to be finalised. If you write for magazines, you do need to write seasonal or time-related items well in advance. Similarly with newspaper submissions, if you have an idea for an article, try and submit this as soon as you can. In publishing time is of the essense and, as the saying reminds us, 'the early bird catches the worm,' and in writing it is often the early and appropriate submissions that catch the editor's eye.

For magazine and newspaper writing, plan your work well in advance.

Good Luck.

Story ideas - The Colin Dexter way

A little while ago I attended a talk given by the crime writer and creator of Morse, Colin Dexter. And during a fascinating evening he told of how he devised many of his stories. He said that he took an incident from real life but changed just one thing. And from that change, events took a new (and sometimes sinister) turn.

It's a wonderful way to come up with story ideas and if you are ever in need of a plot, do bear this method in mind. It could be an incident you read in a paper or something you actually experienced but just change one thing or detail ... and then wonder what the consequences are.

Good luck and happy plot creating!

Keys to Writing Success - Part 7

This week I'm going to share with you something that has served me well for many a year. It is also something that I have touched on before but is so important, is worth mentioning again.

To make the most of your writing time you need to stay organised and think ahead. By doing so, you will be preparing yourself mentally for what it is you want to write. If not, there is a risk that when you do have writing time, you could be sitting in front of a screen or sheet of paper without any firm ideas.

Writing time is too valuable to waste.

To help me maintain my own output, I always plan out on Sunday what I intend to write during the week. This gives me something to aim for as well as allow me to collect my thoughts. This weekly plan is not necessarily detailed but serves as a useful guide and prompt.

I also make a daily to do list, again setting out all I want to do that day, including specific writing projects as well as other things.

By making weekly - and daily - lists you will find it will not only help you with your writing output but keep your writing projects on track.

The Keys to Writing Success - Part 6

One of my favourite writing maxims is, 'To be a writer you need to be an eternal optimist.'

And to succeed, you do need to believe in what you do and keep putting your work and ideas forward. Such is the way of publishing, some work and ideas will get rejected but you must keep going and be optimistic and hopeful.

During the week I was saddened to read one person interested in writing, write 'I have never had anything accepted and probably never will.'

With such an attitude making that breakthrough and getting accepted will be doubly difficult. As Henry Ford wrote, 'If you believe you can do a thing, or if you believe you cannot, you are RIGHT.'

As a writer believe in your skills. And know that if you keep writing, keep putting forward ideas and proposals and retain a healthy sense of optimism (despite the inevitable knocks) you will get results.

Good luck and I wish you and your writing well.

The Keys to Writing Success - Part 5

As a writer you need to be aware. This way you can pick up ideas and thoughts more easily or see or hear things that you could incorporate in what you write.

And although you may think, 'Ok, I will be more aware,' this is not always enough. You need to actually take in and note down what you see. Jot down your thoughts in a notebook or, if have one and are able, record your impressions on your MP3.

And in addition to noticing what may be going on around you, keep alert for writing possibilities and markets. You could see something interesting or amusing that could make a good filler or be made into an article or a magazine you could possible write for.

As a writer it is essential to be aware.

There are writing ideas and possibilities all around.

And as a final thought. Today, make an effort to be especially aware and to notice or think of something that could have some writing value for you and be sure to write it down.

Good luck.

The Keys to Writing Success - Part 4

JK Rowling first thought of Harry Potter while sitting alone on a train and Dickens created many of his masterpieces while walking the Kent countryside.

These moments of quiet and reflection are essential for the creator. And in this fast paced and noisy age, it is very important to shut yourself away from all this and just think, wonder and be yourself. This is when some of the best creations and ideas come about.

As a writer, make sure you have times of quiet during your week and you will find it can lead you to new ideas, allow you to work out plot scenarios or just freshen your mind and spirit for work you may currently be engaged on.

Seek out the quiet
the stillness
the tranquility.
And enjoy.

The Keys to Writing Success - Part 3

This week an essential key.

To write and to realise your potential, you need to be persistent. Unfortunately many feel that writing is just a case of sitting down and putting pen to paper. But to get published and to get your writing taken seriously, you need to allow time to learn the craft, to perfect your prose and to find out what works.

In my early days of writing I had countless rejections, but I just kept believing that one day I would get something accepted. And if you are in the early stages of your writing career, the same could be true for you. You can get published but you do need to allow time and persist

And here are some thoughts on this very subject

Be persistent.. Editors change; editorial tastes change; markets change. Too many beginning writers give up too easily.
John Jakes.


Never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.
Harriet Beecher Stow.

And finally,

If you've got the guts to stick it out ... you're going to make it.
Brian Hays.


Good luck, and remember persistence pays.

The Keys to Writing Success - Part 2

The title is the first thing an editor or reader sees and it has to capture attention.

Whenever possible make sure your title intrigues or, if an article or nonfiction, sets out possible benefits (eg the ever-effective How to … or 7 Ways to …) So important is a good title, I have written about it at great length in Achieve More Acceptances.

In the meantime, here are the thoughts of some well-known authors on titles:

The Ancient Mariner would not have taken so well if it had been called The Old Sailor.
Samuel Butler.

I make a list of titles after I’ve finished the story or the book – sometimes as many as a hundred. Then I start eliminating them, sometimes all of them.
Ernest Hemingway.

A good title is the title of a successful book.
Raymond Chandler

With every piece of writing you do, it really will reward you well to give careful thought to the title. A good title will help sell your work.

Chinese Horoscopes

This week sees the publication of my new book, Your Chinese Horoscope 2008. Although in this blog I mainly write about writing matters, if Chinese horoscopes are of interest you can find more details about my book by clicking on the Amazon link below. For American readers the book will be available through Barnes and Noble a little later in the year.




One of the fascinating aspects of Chinese horoscpes concerns the personalities of the 12 animal signs and, just as I have seen writing teachers suggest that writers base characters on their knowledge of Western signs (eg determined Taureans, secretive Scorpions etc), the same can be applied to animal signs. Indeed whenever I meet someone I am always interested to find out their Chinese sign and so have a better appreciation of their nature, including strengths and possible weaknesses. This, together with the helpfulness of indicated trends, are just part of this fascinating and ancient discipline.

In my next blog I will share some of my favourite writing quotations and some more information about Achieve More Acceptances and Be Published More Often .

Getting the Editor's Approval

In my last blog I emphasised how important it is for you, the writer, to think of your reader. This way your writing will be more appropriate as well as having greater chance of being accepted.

To this, I would like to add how important it is to also think of the editor. The editor has to provide what his or her readers may be wanting. And, when putting work forward for consideration, mention in your covering letter or email how your work will appeal to their readers. Outline some benefits or the relevance and main appeal of your work and, by doing so, the editor can quickly see your work has merit and so will give it closer attention.

As a writer you are trying to sell your work and by thinking of the requirements of the reader and editor and meeting both, your work will stand more chance or publication.

Good luck.

Increasing Your Chance of Publication

I was watching a business programme the other night and the key message one industrialist kept putting forward was 'Think Customer.' It is the customer who buys and who ultimately decides on the success or failure of any venture.

And this message applies to writers. You need to think of the reader. What do they want to know or can gain from your writing? If you can make it relevant to their needs or can engage the reader in some way, then you will increase the chance of selling your work.

Sometimes writers can be indulgent and write for themselves. And while this can make writing a joy and pleasure it does not necessarily help you to sell what you write.

If you want to sell your work, always keep the reader in mind.

Next week I will add a further consideration which can again help you to increase your chances of a sale. In the meantime if you are keen to write for publication, do have a look at my special report, Achieve More Acceptances and Be Published More Often. One reviewer wrote, “I have read quite a few books about writing but I have never read anything as good as this. It says it all simply and is packed with so much information." And with the purpose and theme of the report being to help you to 'Achieve More Acceptances.'

Good luck.