| No first draft was ever perfect. | | | | emails". I'd have to get up, take my pants off, |
| Most novels need rewriting and extensive editing. | | | | check my emails... |
| But if you never finish writing, it, there'll be nothing | | | | More than anything, it's an aid to discipline. |
| to work on. | | | | Let me share another tip with you: Don't talk too |
| Writing four published novels, I've learned one or | | | | much about your book in the making. If you need |
| two things about how hard it is - and how to | | | | to work through ideas, choose someone who |
| make it easier on yourself. | | | | takes you and your idea seriously. |
| I believe in rewards. Even little rewards. While | | | | I know writing is lonely. But talking about it |
| busy with my first book, I used to make up lavish | | | | somehow neutralises the desire. It satisfies the |
| "When my book is published" daydreams. Only, I | | | | story-telling self, and allows you to stop doing it. |
| wouldn't allow myself to indulge in them until I'd | | | | Also, so many people claim to have a story in |
| finished writing for the day. | | | | them, that few people will take you seriously. |
| While a colleague and I worked on a screenplay, | | | | They'll pop in for coffee because ... well, you're not |
| we would allow ourselves a glass of champagne | | | | really working, are you? |
| at the end of every scene. At the end of each | | | | They'll find it vaguely amusing and ask you, in arch |
| act, we went out to an elegant cocktail bar for | | | | tones, how The Book is going. It'll begin to seem |
| strawberry daiquiris. | | | | ridiculous and you'll feel absurd - an imposter in the |
| There's nothing more important than just keeping | | | | literary world. It's better just to keep quiet, at |
| on. It doesn't have to be perfect first time, so | | | | least until the end is in sight. |
| that's no excuse. | | | | So, that's it really. People often ask me for one |
| Make yourself rituals, if that helps. I like to place a | | | | tip for aspiring writers. And I always say just that: |
| certain pen by my computer. And (ridiculous as it | | | | Keep writing. Whatever helps you do that - |
| sounds) I always wear the same pants when I | | | | personal threats, rewards, rituals - use them for |
| write. (I become hysterical if they're in the wash.) | | | | all they're worth. |
| I view them quite superstitiously, which helps, I | | | | For more information on how to keep writing, see |
| suppose. They can't be used for doing anything | | | | our online writing courses. |
| else. That means I can't "just quickly check my | | | | |