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I’m so delighted to host bestselling, award-winning author Judy Penz Sheluk on my blog today. Her writing advice is spot on!

One Author’s Advice on Writing

by Judy Penz Sheluk

One of the most common questions I get asked, both at events, and during author interviews, is if I have any writing advice. I always quote Agatha Christie first:

“There was a moment when I changed from an amateur to a professional. I assumed the burden of a profession, which is to write even when you don’t want to, don’t much like what you’re writing, and aren’t writing particularly well.”

Christie’s advice worked for me because it made me realize that if I wanted to be a published author—and I did—I needed to start treating it like a job and not like a hobby.

But what if you’re not quite ready to become a “professional writer?” What if you just want to hone your craft? Here’s the best advice I can give you:

Make time to write every day. The writing muscle is like any other muscle; the more you exercise it, the stronger it becomes. 

If you exercise regularly, you know the truth of this statement. Exercise regularly and you start to feel better. Stronger. Suddenly, you’re making better food choices. You’re parking as far away from the mall entrance as you can, instead of circling around the wheelchair accessible parking, looking for a spot right next to it. You’re in control and proud of it.

 

 

You also know that a couple of days off can lead to a week off, which can lead to a month off, and before you know it, you’re sitting on the couch, eating junk food, watching reality TV, and feeling sorry for yourself. What the heck happened to that buff-body-in-progress?

The same thing can happen with writing. As long as you’re writing every day—even if it’s just for 30 minutes—you’ve got a work-in-progress. Maybe it isn’t perfect, maybe it’s not even very good, but as every day goes by, it gets better, easier. It becomes something to look forward to, instead of something to avoid.

Writing becomes part of your daily routine.

You don’t have to start big. Even marathon runners start with that first mile and gradually add more distance every week. Writing is no different. Think of it as a word marathon. Even as little as a page a day adds up to 365 pages in a year. That’s a book. In fact, most of my books clock in the 250-300 page range, so you’d be well ahead of the game.

Finally, don’t forget to enjoy the journey. The finish line will be there when you’re ready to cross it.

About the author: A former journalist and magazine editor, Judy Penz Sheluk is the bestselling author of two mystery series: The Glass Dolphin Mysteries and Marketville Mysteries. Her short crime fiction appears in several collections, including the multi-nominated Superior Shores Anthologies, which she also edited. Judy has also written two how-to guides to publishing, including the multi-award winning Finding Your Path to Publication: A Step-by-Step Guide and Self-publishing: The Ins & Outs of Going Indie. Find her at www.judypenzsheluk.com.