30 Lessons That I have Learnt From Writing

Things are starting to come together with my first novel The Great Corporate Escape. I’m still a good month away with a fair wind but it all seems to be falling into place now.

I have learnt so many lessons with this book and I have shared them on here as I have gone along. There’s bound to be more between now and when I publish but here’s a list of 30 that come to mind.

30 Lessons I have learnt

1. Planning is the most important part to writing a novel
2. With direction the words come faster
3. If it’s boring to write then it’s really boring to read
4. Read as much of your genre as possible
5. Read other books on writing to give you ideas
6. The more that writing becomes part of your everyday life the more chance you give your writing voice to emerge
7. Only work on one book at a time, give it everything and then move on
8. Make your own deadlines and stick to them
9. Dream of success every single day
10. Have complete confidence in what you are doing
11. Don’t consider writing as work, it’s not, and that’s why it’s so good
12. Think before you speak, think again before you write
13. Do something every single day towards your goal and you’ll reach it
14. Cut down editing time by knowing where the book’s going in the first place
15. Re-plan rather than re-write
16. Get someone else to do your cover unless you used to be a designer
17. Pay real money to get your words edited by a professional
18. Treat your writing seriously and enjoy every minute of it
19. Write the best book you can, ultimately that will be all you’re judged on
20. Don’t cut corners because it will show
21. It’s better to take a month longer and be finished
22. Listen to advice even when it’s not asked for
23. Get as many people as you can to read your book
24. Think about how you’re going to sell the book when it’s done
25. Listen to people that have already achieved what you want
26. Don’t listen to any of the doubters, there’ll be too many to pay notice to
27. Don’t worry about success, just keep believing
28. All you have to do is turn up everyday and do your thing, no excuses
29. Be realistic with your time and don’t overstate how productive you’ll be
30. Find the best way of working for you