10 Things I've Learned

You've thought of an idea for a story. Congratulations. Here are a few things I wish I'd known when I started out.

10. First drafts are called 'first' for a reason. This is a good thing.

9. If you don't love your protagonist, neither will anyone else.

8. Real people aren't perfect. Let your characters have flaws.

7. As much as you admire certain authors, accept that you don't write like them. You can only write like you.

6. Write the story you want to tell, not the story that's the 'newest thing'.

5. Some days you might write more, some days less. As long as you're moving ahead, you're on the right road.

4. Give your manuscript to someone else to read. They'll see things you never will.

3. Writing takes self-discipline; way more than you'd think.

2. Never close yourself off to new ideas. There's always something to learn.

1. Snacks help.