On writing: THREAD1
A friend asked for tips so here are seven. I've written four novels, 8 non-fict, inc best-selling novels Elephant Moon 200,000 copies and Cold, 60,000 + n/f Scientology:Church Of Fear 25,000.
First, plot your book in your head. You need a worm of a story.
A friend asked for tips so here are seven. I've written four novels, 8 non-fict, inc best-selling novels Elephant Moon 200,000 copies and Cold, 60,000 + n/f Scientology:Church Of Fear 25,000.
First, plot your book in your head. You need a worm of a story.
On writing: THREAD2
Some plan every chapt. I'm too lazy/like fun of not quite not knowing where we are going. Non-fiction is easier than fiction.
Second, write. I try and write 1,000 words a day. Often fail but that's my goal. To egg me on, I update daily total at the top of ms.
Some plan every chapt. I'm too lazy/like fun of not quite not knowing where we are going. Non-fiction is easier than fiction.
Second, write. I try and write 1,000 words a day. Often fail but that's my goal. To egg me on, I update daily total at the top of ms.
On writing: THREAD3
Three, follow Orwell's six rules of writing: (i) Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.
(ii) Never use a long word where a short one will do.
(iii) If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out
Three, follow Orwell's six rules of writing: (i) Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.
(ii) Never use a long word where a short one will do.
(iii) If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out
On writing: THREAD 4
(iv) Never use the passive where you can use the active.
(v) Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
(vi) Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.
(iv) Never use the passive where you can use the active.
(v) Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
(vi) Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.
On writing: THREAD 5
Four: don't assume reader knows all. Non-fiction: explain things clearly. Fiction, when someone walks through the door, paint them. How do they look/smell? Brilliant creepy moment in Eric Ambler's Cause for Alarm when baddie wears rouge on his cheeks. Yuck.
Four: don't assume reader knows all. Non-fiction: explain things clearly. Fiction, when someone walks through the door, paint them. How do they look/smell? Brilliant creepy moment in Eric Ambler's Cause for Alarm when baddie wears rouge on his cheeks. Yuck.
On writing: THREAD 6
Five: To pitch non-fiction, write 1,000 outline and 9,000 of first chapts. Fiction: you have to write the whole fucking thing. 75,000 usual minimum. Novels are harder but sell better. Market is listless coz of virus. Publishers are holding back best-sellers.
Five: To pitch non-fiction, write 1,000 outline and 9,000 of first chapts. Fiction: you have to write the whole fucking thing. 75,000 usual minimum. Novels are harder but sell better. Market is listless coz of virus. Publishers are holding back best-sellers.
On writing: THREAD 7
Six: Agents are great but if you can't land one, get your pals to read and listen to them. You can self-publish.
Seven: writing a book, like having kids or planting a tree, gives you a kind of immortality. Throw a party on publishing day. Good luck.
Six: Agents are great but if you can't land one, get your pals to read and listen to them. You can self-publish.
Seven: writing a book, like having kids or planting a tree, gives you a kind of immortality. Throw a party on publishing day. Good luck.
