Miranda's Writing Tips & Tidbits--Getting Started

Tip Sheet
Getting Starting

Using an outline is up to you, I don’t use a hard copy, I just have in my mind where I would like my story to go. I let my ideas unfold naturally. I do make notes of the characters, places, and most important their names. Speaking of names, try to keep the names you pick different so the reader doesn’t get confused. Like say in your story you might have a Dr. Marywell, a secretary named Mary Manguss, and a cop named Marcus Mann. These names are too similar and will stop the reader; you never want the reader or editor to stop!

Now the fun part, just sit down and write. Always start the first chapter in the middle of action. From then on try to have heat on every page (action). Leave out any idea or sentence that doesn’t move you story along, and be careful when adding any back story. The back story should be adding sparingly let it built through the novel. If you put too much too soon you will bore the reader, not a good idea. Try not to have the back story in the first chapter. Remember Conflict is King, there should be conflict with your characters from page one to the last chapter. The conflict should build throughout the story, every time the reader thinks its safe throw in another twist. Also, adding a sub story is fine just let it not take away from your main story.
I know you’ve hear this a million times…Show don’t Tell. When writing, bring in all 5 senses to the story, what does the character feel, smell, hear, taste, etc. most important Watch Your POV! Stick to one character’s thought the entire chapter, if you don’t it will confuse the reader and stop the storyline. Use dilogue, don't just tell what the characteris doing, show it!

If you haven’t noticed we’re a busy world, we are use to getting everything we want fast. James Patterson, bless his heart started this short chapters business. It’s up to you but most readers including editors like short chapters like 8-12 pages insteadof the traditional 30-40 pages. Being a nurse, I love the medical stuff, but most readers will flip past a 3 page autopsy, mine are brief, the characters get the info they need and their out of there.

I read my chapters out loud to myself as I go, this helps pick out errors and really helps me know if it just sounds right. When you’re ready to let someone else review your work, give it to someone other than a close friend or relative. Why? You know grandma isn’t going to say it’d awful. This may come as a surprise, but you “baby” will be edited several times. Even toss it in a drawer and leaving it for a month or two, then going back you will pick up several editorial changes to make. Writers groups are a good resource as well, just be prepared to hear criticism.You should make an effort every day to write and read the genre you’re interested in writing. Take note on how the masters write. Go to writing conferences, they are a gold mine of ideas and encouragement to all writers.

New Review from Mary Welk, author of A Merry Little Murder

"Miranda Walker presents readers with a gutsy new character in the world of police procedurals. Plagued by a past almost as horrendous as the case she's investigating, FBI Agent Megan McKenna exhibits the determination of a bulldog in both her professional and private lives. This opening salvo in Walker's new series is a sure bet for readers who love strong feminine characters."

Mary Welk

The Well Meaning Killer Coming June 2009!

It's almost time fot the release of my first novel, The Well Meaning Killer, fast tracked for June 2009 set in Baltimore, MD. Everything is on schedule, so now I'm looking at where to do my book signings, lol. For those of you that have been following my facebook, myspace, and crimespace sites you already know this, becauses I just can't keep quiet about it. You can see the book cover on the www.krillpress.com site with a little summary by the publisher Kent Lewis.
I have been working on TWMK for years, and I hope by giving some advise and encouragement other unpublished writers will come away with some good tips. I spent hours of research looking for agents, websites for writers until I hit on what I think are the best ones. I will blogging on these started next week.