31 Day Writing Tips
@just4him (323168)
Green Bay, Wisconsin
May 1, 2019 1:39pm CST
I'm not a best-selling author, though that is my goal. I'm here to give you pointers on how to write for publication, not blogs. Blogs are a different kind of writing, more relaxed and you can break every rule, and I'm sure I do too.
Day 1
Write. Don't edit. Don't worry about your grammar and punctuation. Write.
When you start a new project, the idea is to get the story down. This is your rough draft, and believe me, it's rough. I guarantee you probably broke every rule of good writing. You'll have typos and even words that don't look like typos called homophones. Those are the trickiest typos of all. You'll also have punctuation and grammatical errors.
Leave your editing for the finished project. When the story is finished, it's time to start polishing it.
Everyone writes differently. Some people use index cards and map out their book from beginning to end. Some use a storyboard. Some outline. And some just write.
There are two kinds of writers. Plotters and Pantsers. The plotters are the ones who use the index cards, storyboard, and outline. Pantsers are those who plant themselves in the chair and write.
I'm a pantser. I don't know what my characters are going to do until I put fingers to keyboard.
If this is day one for you, decide what kind of writer you are and get started. The book won't write itself, though some days you will feel like it is, especially if you're a pantser, like me.
If you have questions or suggestions, I'd be happy to answer them. I'm sure I don't know all the answers, and if you're a writer/author yourself, and I know there are many here who are, let me know. I can learn from you too.
I don't know if I have writing tips for 31 days, but we'll see how this goes.
What kind of writing do you do? If you're here, and I assume you are or you wouldn't be answering this post, you're a blogger. What else do you write? If you're an author, what genre do you write in? If you haven't published yet, what are your interests when you sit down to write? If you're thinking about writing, what genre interests you? Is it fiction or non-fiction?
Thanks for reading. I look forward to your comments.
26 people like this
25 responses
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
2 May 19
I admit I don't do well writing grocery lists. If I write them, I forget to take them with me. 
Ideas are a good way to start any book project. In fact, you can't start a project without an idea.
That's a good topic for tomorrow's tip. Thanks.
Ideas are a good way to start any book project. In fact, you can't start a project without an idea.
That's a good topic for tomorrow's tip. Thanks.2 people like this
@rebelann (117199)
• El Paso, Texas
1 May 19
I started writing online about 8 years ago but not because I wanted to be a writer, I simply wanted to share my pictures. I have a ton of pictures of things like my pets, flowers and landscapes. My first taste of writing was on Gather.com and after that I thought I'd try use proper grammar and punctuation in everything I wrote while also sharing a shot of my pets or something. I've changed my mind since then, now I simply write something if I have a picture I want to share.
I'd fit in with lousy writers but at least my pictures are ok.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189792)
• Boise, Idaho
4 May 19
I like to write unique stories, usually romantic or thriller. Fiction is my favorite to write although I enjoy reading non-fiction.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189792)
• Boise, Idaho
5 May 19
@just4him .......I used to be able to read a non-fiction and a fiction book at the same time. Not so anymore.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
5 May 19
@celticeagle I can't read two at once. It takes me a long time to read a book as I'm writing more than reading.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40843)
• Laguna Woods, California
2 May 19
@just4him - These are all terrific ideas for writing. I have written a couple of children's novels and sold a few on Amazon. I tend to have a plot pop into my head and I write it from beginning to end over a few weeks. Then I go back and rewrite, adding more depth and detail. Then I go back and begin to edit and make corrections. Then, I let it sit for a few weeks and go back and read them. Amazing how many more edits I make and how much more depth I can put into my novels after I let them cool off for a few weeks. Then, I ask someone else to read it and make suggestions. Then, I make those edits, if I like them. Only then am I ready to publish, and I feel good about my books when I do.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40843)
• Laguna Woods, California
2 May 19
@just4him - Yes, I've been fortunate. My non-fiction books do better than the fiction, but I've gotten sales on both. I have sold hundreds of copies of my book, "Your Guide to a Fabulous Las Vegas Wedding." However, my children's books continue to sell copies occasionally. I love being able to self-publish through Amazon these days. It is free and I have had satisfying results.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
2 May 19
@DeborahDiane That's what I used, CreateSpace. Now, I have a publisher. I'm glad you've done well with your books.
1 person likes this
@porwest (112717)
• United States
1 May 19
Definitely a pantser here too. Funny, that word. I have never heard it put that way before so that is something new to me, but it makes sense. I have always felt that sometimes the best writing is that which feels like it writes itself. I also agree with putting off editing. Too often writers get caught up in editing and it just breaks the whole flow of writing and I have never met a writer who is ever satisfied, and have known many writers to give up on a book getting lost in editing.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
2 May 19
I heard that word for the first time last year. I agree. It's a great description of the way I write. As much as I want to leave editing for the finished story, I know I always edit along the way, especially when I've left the book alone for a long time. As I read through it, I make changes, fix punctuation and grammar, and continue to the end. However, the major edit always happens after the book is finished and the story is hopefully, how you want it to end up. That's not always the case.
1 person likes this
@MommyOfEli2013 (89465)
• Rupert, Idaho
2 May 19
I am not an author, although I have wanted to be and have came up with story ideas. In the past I have written reviews...and poetry.
I think these are great tips...and I will keep them in mind if I decide to give writing another try!
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
2 May 19
@MommyOfEli2013 I'm sorry they don't.
1 person likes this
@MommyOfEli2013 (89465)
• Rupert, Idaho
2 May 19
@just4him I do have lots of ideas.....just never seems to go anywhere lol
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45111)
• Canada
2 May 19
I just read the post out of curiosity as I'm not interested in writing a book. It's always good to know something about everything. 
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45111)
• Canada
2 May 19
@just4him You have written few books now and you definitely have some good tips that others that want to write can use. Thanks for sharing them on myLot!
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (135583)
• Marion, Ohio
1 May 19
I only do this type of writing. Dont have the patience to keep a book straight enough to write it out.
1 person likes this
Thank You.
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
2 May 19
Thank you. I'll try. I don't know how many tips there are. Scarred was like that. My original penned copy of Scarred, which I still have somewhere, is almost nothing like the published book. It's so much better. I love the way books evolve over time.
1 person likes this
@HazySue (39265)
• Gouverneur, New York
1 May 19
Excellent post with perfect tips. I learned a long time ago that the first thing, the most important thing is to get it down, the story that is. I think that the best way to go about is to let the characters take over and run with the ideas. You have wonderful instincts when it comes to writing. I love this post and look forward to more.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67089)
• United States
5 May 19
If you count here and the other site, I'm a blogger. But that's about it. As the most I've done for writing outside of this was a writing class in high school, and letters to my daughter.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (49753)
• India
10 May 19
Great post and s good series. I would be following it.
My writing is a mix of plan and randomness.
Yet since last some time, my writing is a bit off the track. I need to be back into writing ways.
Meanwhile I have started writing poems and two have been published on a Literary site.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23979)
• United Kingdom
2 May 19
Great day one. I must make sure I read all these posts Thank you Valerie. Not that I aspire to being an author really but I do like interacting on here! I think you have to be quite disciplined to write. I laughed at your reply to DianneN we too make a shopping list which I invariably forget to take with me! 
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
2 May 19
The good thing about writing it down, is you remember doing so, and you remember what you put on it. You might forget an item or two, but you'll come home with the majority of your list. At least that's how it works for me.
I'm glad you enjoyed the first day's tips.
@JESSY3236 (22199)
• United States
3 May 19
I used to write stories, but I haven't in a long time. I also do article writing on Textbroker.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (52144)
• Staten Island, New York
2 May 19
I agree with you. In the beginning, you have to write and not worry about mistakes or any issues in the writing. The goal is to get all the ideas down on paper, and if it's a story, let it unfold. Worrying about the grammar, flow, style and anything else should happen after you've finished writing whatever it is you were bringing to life.
I've published eleven books. One of them is a novel. The rest are poetry or lyric related. And I've published blog-type content online.
1 person likes this
@Michellekidwell (29953)
• Sonora, California
2 May 19
These are great writing tips, I am an Author, and I write in a variety of genres, from poetry, to Young Adult, Suspense, and many others!
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
2 May 19
That's awesome. I write several genres also. Thank you.
