Practical Toolkit for aspiring authors, from authors.

By Lauren Simmonds

Writing is often a dream people harbour in the most hidden parts of themselves. They are perhaps too shy or self-conscious to openly share with the world, and because of this, sometimes the simplest questions aspiring authors have go unanswered. Because, of course, there are no colleagues to turn to and ask ‘am I doing this right?’.

This week I aim to help fix that, with the help of three fantastic authors, Mollie Kendrick, Sue Cunningham and Craig Robertson. These questions are for the overthinkers, the writers who doubt themselves, and the ones who simply don’t know where to start. If you take one thing from this, let it be this, there is no single right way to do this (but plenty of wrong-turns you can avoid!)

How do you format your manuscript?

Craig Robertson – Times New Roman, 12 point, double spaced. It’s industry standard – or it was when I wrote my first book and I’m not changing now unless I’m told to. It comes in at about 250-300 words a page, leaves room for an editor to make notes, and lets the text breathe, making it easier to read. Also, add indents at the start of each paragraph by using the “first line” tab under “line spacing options” in Word.

Do you plan your story beforehand?

Craig Robertson - Always. I might not know everything that’s going to happen, but I know the start and the end, I know the main characters and their motivations, I know all or most of the major plot points, and I know why I’m writing the story. Things will change during the process – you’re never likely to have all your best ideas before you start – but knowing where you’re going and why takes so much stress out of the process. If you prefer the stress, that’s okay too. I like Eisenhower’s quote that “plans are worthless, but planning is everything” ie the process of planning is more important than the final document. If you’ve got a plan, you’re more likely to be ready for the problems you’re inevitably going to be confronted by, and better prepared to make the changes you need.

Mollie Kendrick - Well. Not really. I almost always begin with a character and a situation. I have a rough idea of what will be the key moment in the drama, or at least what the drama will be about. So for Middle Rage, I knew that the drama would be four women with their own specific traumas meeting on a retreat, but I wasn’t sure exactly what would happen, or of each character’s backstory. That emerged as I wrote. I do, however, plan each chapter before I write it, but I never know what the following one will be.

Sue Cunningham - Vaguely and erratically! I often start with an interesting concept or ‘what if’ scenario and build from there. I’m not a big planner (although I often think life might be easier if I was). I might have an idea of how a story starts and finishes but the middle section is a mystery – I start with scribbled notes and then just see where the characters take me. I don’t write in chronological order – if I think of a scene, I write it straight away whether it’s at the beginning or towards the end, leaving gaps to join the dots later. As a result, my first draft is as messy as you might imagine. My favourite part is the editing stage when I look at what I’ve written and make sense of it. I scribble down each scene on a post-it note and then move them around to see where they fit best.

How do you start a story? (staring at the first blank page)

CR- How and where you start isn’t as important as simply getting started. So, if you want a kick-ass intro that grabs the reader’s attention but not sure what that is, then leave it till later. Go straight into the story in chapter 2 if that’s what it takes to get you going. Don’t be paralysed by the determination to get the first chapter word perfect, just get writing. Take whatever you’re sure of, whether it’s a character or an action scene and go with that. Getting words down is all-important. Just write. Anything can and will be improved on a second – or third or fourth– pass so start racking up the word count. It will feel good and before you know it, a novel will be coming together before your eyes.

MK - I never, ever stare at a blank page. I have a notebook and I write my ideas in there until they are reasonably formed. It’s only once I have an opening line in my head and an idea of what the first scene will be that I start writing. The thought of staring at a blank screen fills me with horror.

SC - This is the worst bit for me – I find it much easier when I get to the editing stage which I enjoy. Before I start writing, I have usually been mulling over the idea for quite some time and already have scenes/snatches of dialogue in my head. I don’t necessarily start with page 1 – the first scene I write could be somewhere in the middle or even the very last page.

How do you overcome writers block?

CR - I was a journalist for many years before I became a full-time author and writer’s block was just not an option. You wrote there and then or else the newspaper went to print with a hole in it where your story should have been. That discipline has stood me in good stead and it’s rare that I sit over my laptop without knowing where the next word is coming from. However, if that does happen then it’s about changing your situation. Sitting staring at the screen won’t solve anything so get out of your chair, make a snack, go for a walk, feed the cat, whatever works to put your head in a different space. You’ll be amazed at the number of times your subconscious solves the problem for you.

MK - I think writer’s block happens when you don’t know where the story is going next. Stressing about it is the worst thing you can do. I think, if a scene isn’t working, it’s usually because it shouldn’t be there. I try and think of different ways to approach it, I’ve learnt to have faith that I’ll get beyond it, so I do other things for a while and keep the story in the back of my mind. Walking the dog is good, and so is baking. In time, the ideas come back again and I can return to the story with a clear vision.

SC - Actually getting my bum in the seat to start at the beginning of the first draft is the hardest bit for me – once I get going, I don’t tend to get stuck but sometimes I do slow down. Fear is a great motivator so I if don’t have an official deadline, I advise self-imposing a made up one. My super power is the ability to segue from procrastinating to full-on plate spinning within a matter of hours!

Do you have any habits or practices as you write?

MK - I vape continually and drink far too much tea. I’m not sure this is what the doctor would recommend.

SC - Because I have work and family commitments to fit around, I can’t manage a set writing routine. This can mean an hour or two on an evening or a full weekend if a deadline is looming! I don’t use a desk, instead, I curl up on the sofa with my laptop, usually with a dog on my feet. I need quiet to write new scenes but can edit in a noisy room. I tend to write quite visually and so I like to picture where my character is in relation to their surroundings. I recently wrote a scene where a character is stuck on a ledge of a high building and spent about an hour climbing on and off the coffee table, trying to work out where her hands and feet should be!

Have you ever felt like you start running out of steam mid story? How do you remedy this?

CR - The most reliable way to avoid that scenario is to make sure you have enough steam in the first place. For me, that goes back to the plotting process and making sure that your story has enough “legs” to be a novel. Knowing whether your great idea will sustain a whole book is part experience, part planning. Are there enough twists and turns, enough big ideas, interesting characters, and reasons for a reader to get to the end? If not, either find those things or write something else. There is nothing worse than writing say 40,000 words and finding out there’s not enough left to say. If you do get to that point, you’re going to have to go back, rethink and rewrite. Whatever you do, don’t pad it out with filler – readers see that a mile off.

SC - Beginnings are much worse than middles for me. But, if I am stuck on a plot point halfway through, I find it useful to brainstorm with family or writer friends – sometimes just explaining the issue out loud to someone else helps the solution to materialise. Or I take the dog for a walk or read a book – it’s better for me if it’s in a different genre to the one I’m writing.

When did you start asking for feedback? Where did you start asking for feedback?

CR - I like feedback quite early in the process. I know many writers who won’t show the book to anyone until it’s finished but my thinking is that if I’m going in the wrong direction then the sooner I know, the better. So, I’ll let my agent and/or editor see the first 20,000 or 30,000 words and we’ll have a chat before I go any further. Obviously, the chat I want is that it’s the best thing ever written but just in case it’s not (and it never is) I’d rather know at that point. For me, one of the most important things is getting the voice right and early feedback helps a lot with that. If you don’t have an agent or editor yet, and that’s quite likely, then choose someone you can trust to be honest (but encouraging!)

MK - I did an MA in creative writing, and that was where feedback started. Now, I get as far as I can until I feel I can go no further without feedback and I usually ask Hattie, my ever-patient agent.

SC - Before progressing to novels, I wrote short fiction and found my first online critique group through a writer’s blog site. I am lucky to have an amazing group of writing buddies including critique partners I met through a mentoring scheme, fellow winners from Undiscovered Voices and my debut author group. It’s never been easier to seek out fellow writers. There are in-person groups and many resources and organisations online for writers with paid and free opportunities for feedback and mentoring e.g. WriteMentor who are hugely supportive. In my area, New Writing North offer events and competitions – there will be something similar near you. Finding yourself a critique partner is a brilliant way to get free feedback on your writing – you just need to be prepared to return the favour. Critiquing others’ work helps you learn to self-edit and spot the flaws in your own. I’d also recommend entering competitions that offer feedback from publishing professionals.

What is your main piece of advice for an aspiring author?

CR - Finish the book. I know that’s simplistic but it’s the key piece of advice I give every time I’m asked. The difference between aspiring authors and published authors is that the latter have finished writing their book. Don’t listen to your own doubts, certainly don’t listen to anyone who tells you that you can’t do it, finish the book. Even if the worst happens and that book isn’t published, then it’s the best practice you could have for the one that will be. If it happens first time, wonderful. But don’t give up on your dreams, don’t get in your own way, and finish the bloody book

MK - Don’t be in a rush. If you’re a writer, you will write forever, and you will only get better. Take time (years!) to learn the craft. There are no shortcuts. Also, write every day. 500 words a day is my standard advice. If you write every day, you will come to see yourself as a writer. If you write once a month, you will only ever see yourself as someone who’d like to be a writer.

SC - Find your tribe! There’s nothing like having the support of writing friends (who understand better than anyone what you are going through) to celebrate the highs and commiserate with you on the lows. Keep going, be kind to yourself but understand that a first attempt is never perfect – be prepared to edit and polish until your work is shiny. Celebrate the little victories and, most importantly, be nice! Cheerlead for your writing buddies and try to be courteous and gracious when others offer feedback and advice (even if you don’t agree – it’s your book and you don’t have to act on it). Publishing is a very small world.

Huge thanks to Craig, Sue, and Mollie for their honesty and time. Their valuable advice might not give a magic answer, but it tells the truth: writing takes time and work, doubting yourself is normal, and it’s a matter of persistence over perfection. Keep going, write that book!

And of course, if these tips have worked and your book is now finished, we’d love to see it! Our submissions guidelines are here.

You can follow Craig, Sue, and Mollie on Instagram.

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