1. Next time I'm going to devise a more detailed outline of my novel before barrelling in. I wrote up a brief one, which is better than nothing, but I then took many detours that resulted in rejected chapters. (not deleted chapters, mind you, just chapters cut for length and subsequently placed into my 'director's cut' files). The detours are part of the fun; they've helped me discover the story I actually wanted to write. I welcome detours, but too many can result in hundreds of hours of writing all typed in vain.
2. This is kinda related to point one - try not to delve into the deeper lives of too many characters. The aforementioned rejected chapters could've been avoided if I'd focused on just one or two characters. Sometimes these figments of your imagination become like friends to you though, and you're compelled to tell their stories. It is useful to know the backstories of any significant characters, but still, dot points may have been sufficient.
3. Don't let anyone read your story until it's at least 95% complete. I learned this tough lesson on a previous project actually - I received some constructive feedback that inspired me to alter a few major story elements in order to align with the readers' wishes. I ended up regretting the changes I'd made, resulting in my loathing the novel-in-progress and deserting the book. Doesn't mean I can't return to it one day, but still. Be patient. Wait before handing over your baby.
4. Expect to do a lot of re-writing. The first draft is merely the tip of the iceberg. I probably take this recommendation way too far, working towards the unattainable perfect manuscript. Still, it's better than phoning it in!
5. I watched a lot of YouTube videos on writing this year, as well as reading a deluge of online articles on the topic. Most of the gurus agreed that you shouldn't edit as you go. Ideally I would get the germ of the idea on the page in one hit, before tweaking anything. I don't know if I'll ever do this though. I'm kinda married to the idea of editing as I go. I'm one of those freaks who love editing and proof reading, and besides, it's a magnificent procrastination tactic. I can still work on the novel without actually contributing new content that might suck!
6. I must give myself props where props are due: this year I developed the delicious habit of being addicted to writing. My social media writing mentors, such as K.M. Weiland and Jenna Moreci stressed the importance of writing every day. It's true what they, and countless others say: after a while of writing every day, it becomes a compulsion. On the days I couldn't or wouldn't write, I was kinda pissed off at myself and the world. Acquiring a gorgeous laptop helped me on my mission, as did seeing the incredible achievements of friends and family (often younger than me.) I'm not getting any younger. My dream of writing a novel of publishable standard is not to be put off any longer!
7. I've always kept drafts, but I don't know if all writers do. Many cringe over old writing, putting it through the shredder/in the fireplace/ scattered to the four winds. I say, hold onto a few drafts. I thoroughly enjoyed reading an early twenty-page draft of my current WIP, written in days of yore. It illustrated for me how much the story has changed and evolved since then. It was another reason to get all self-congratulatory for sticking with the task! Besides, they might be worth something when I'm posthumously famous!
8. Don't be afraid to promote yourself and your work. It's frightening, sure, but anything worth doing is. Not everyone's going to love your work, or even bother to read it (close friends and family included), but it wouldn't be fair to deprive those who might read, and even enjoy, your writing now, would it? One mummy friend and I used to discuss nothing deeper than the cuteness of our kids and tasty recipes, but a piece I wrote and shared on my Facebook writing page opened up more meaningful dialogue between us. It was exciting for me, and encouraging too. You might be surprised as to who gets something out of you baring your soul.
9. Read your work aloud. Read it quietly. Put it aside, then get it out again. Looking over your writing with fresh eyes helps with self-editing. I enjoyed reading my work when I was no longer going cross-eyed from looking at it too much. I congratulated myself (again) on how funny my dialogue is. It gives me hope. Even if I'm the only one to really appreciate my novel, it still makes me super happy! (Bonus part is, a couple of other people like it too!)
10. Last but not least, keep updating your blog even when it's depressing 'cause nobody looks at it. Keep improving your craft in the hope that people will start to take notice. It's disheartening when your audience drops off, but I intend to keep plugging away. At worst, it's fun and useful for me to look back on later. And hey, who knows when the tide'll turn! As Journey would say (because journey is more important than destination), Don't Stop Believin'!
