Hello everyone!
If one of your goals is to write a novel or a short story
this year, you’ve come to the right blog.
When people learn that I’m a writer, they often tell me: “I
want to write a book, but…” and then they go into longwinded explanations about
why they can’t write it. Usually they don’t know where (or how) to start, or
they say they don’t have the time.
Well, I’ve got a solution for all that.
And as an author of more than 100 short stories and 19
romance novels, I’m often asked: Where do you get your ideas? How do I get
published? How do you write a book? What advice do you have for writers who are
just starting out? Do you have any writing tips? Can you help me?
Sure I can!
One day I started thinking about everything I’ve learned
over the years, and inspiration hit me: Why not write a book on how to write?
The result? You Can Write—Really! A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Fiction.
This fun and practical book walks you through the
story-creating process step-by-step from getting a great idea to meeting your
characters, developing a plot, and on to writing, revising, and submitting your
work.
Each easy-to-read chapter is based on my years of experience
as a writer, advice I’ve received over the years, and the technical “know-how”
I’ve gained in writing classes and workshops. I also included helpful tips all
writers can use, plus easy writing exercises to get you motivated.
I’m an eclectic writer, and that means I write
everything—short horror fiction, full-length romance novels, science fiction,
and non-fiction. People are always asking me, “How can you write in so many
different genres and styles? What’s the secret?”
It’s really not that difficult. Why? Because the basic
mechanics of good storytelling are universal, no matter what genre you write.
Every fiction story contains the same ingredients: an interesting and engaging
plot, characters the reader cares about and roots for, supporting details, and
background that draw the reader into the story.
Once you have the basics down, you can write—really! Here
are a few quick tips and writing exercises:
TIP: Set aside an hour a day to write. Not sure you have an
hour? Consider writing on your lunch break or during a commute. Get up an hour
earlier or schedule time after dinner. Make an appointment with yourself and
keep it. You can also write in two blocks of 30 minute sessions.
TIP: Keep a pen and paper (or a voice recorder) with you at
all times to note bits of dialogue you overhear, something strange, funny, or
creepy you see, or anything else that captures your attention and could be used
for a story.
EXERCISE: Write three to five dialogue exchanges where two
characters meet for the first time. What do they talk about? What is happening
in the scene or around them?
EXERCISE: All characters want something, whether it’s a cup
of coffee, a new car, to escape from jail, to eat lunch, or to finish a big
project on time. Brainstorm five things your character wants, large or small.
Here are some examples: woman wants to escape her abusive husband; man wants to
bury a body; private investigator wants to find a blackmailer; fifth grade kid
wants to get away with cheating on a math test.
Here’s the book summary:
You Can Write—Really! A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Fiction
Have you always wanted to write?
Are you looking for an extra boost of motivation?
Do you have a great story idea, but don’t know how to
develop it?
If you’ve always dreamed of writing and getting published,
but have no idea where or how to start—THIS is the book for you!
You Can Write—Really! is an easy guide designed for beginner
writers who need a boost of motivation and simple instructions on how to get
started.
Award-winning author Kelli A. Wilkins takes you step-by-step
through the writing process, covering the basics of plotting, editing,
revising, and submitting. She explores ways to get your creativity flowing,
explains where authors get ideas, and shows you how to create interesting
characters for your story.
Contains helpful tips all writers can use, PLUS fun writing
exercises to get you motivated!
Ready to write? Order your copy here:
All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/4AqYN4
Happy Reading (and Writing!)
Kelli
