Tips f or Authors in Training

1. Tips for Authors in Training Christina Mckeefry

2. You Need to Read • 70-80 books a year • Read the books in the genre you intend to right about • If you don’t know what’s selling or what people like, how can you expect to sell to a publisher?

3. You Need To Have Editors • They don’t have to be Pro’s • Friends • Teachers • Parents • But they can’t be afraid to be honest!

4. Keep the imagination intact • Use it everyday! • Free write • Draw • Anything to keep the creativity flowing!

5. Do not be afraid of Change • First edition vs. final copy are going to look different • Ideas change constantly, so try it out a few times

6. Listen to the dialogue around you • For people to believe the conversations in the book, it needs to feel real. • Also, keep dialogue in check. Don’t over do it.

7. Don’t over use metaphors/similies • They’re good once and a while, but not every three seconds • Ex: His voice was soft as a feather and his touch was like a breath of air caressing her snow white skin as the sun scorched them like an over cooked turkey. • His voice was a breath of air and his touch was no different as he caressed her pale skin under the burning sun.

8. Be clear • Just because you know what you’re talking about doesn’t mean everyone else does. • Ex: Shadowhunters and Downworlders roam the shadow-realm • Shadow hunters- the part angel part human warriors, keep the Downworlders- inhuman creatures such as vampires, warlocks, and werewovles, in line as they roam the shadow-realm- a place surrounding, but unseen by humans.

9. Don’t be afraid of criticism • It’s a harsh world. Accept it. • Rejection • Negative comments • Make it work to your benefit. Allow it to help you improve. • Don’t let the good stuff get to your head. • Use it to improve in other places.

10. You are your own worst critic • Read your stuff over and over. • Ask: • Will it make sense to the reader? • Is the wording weird? • Does it feel complete? • Makes changes if necessary