Tips for Aspiring Writers: Expert advice from the minds of STARFest

It’s easy to lose focus and slip that writing pad into a drawer and forget about it. In fact, Alissa says this is one of the greatest dangers that aspiring novelists face. “It’s important to finish things. The world is awash with people who don’t finish what they start. You have to proceed in faith, and believe that you’ll be able to accomplish your goals.”

But this isn’t always easy to do. “You can stay connected to the story by writing it. Even if you’re having an off-day. It’s important to keep at it. Don’t focus on the end result. Don’t think about publishing or profits. Keep your mind focused on the act of telling the story.”

Alissa doesn’t always like to talk about her own process because there is no single “correct” way of writing a novel. “You really have to experiment with different methods and see what works well for you. When you’re starting out, try out different strategies and make notes on what happens to your stories. I usually write longhand on paper, and when I type instead, the feel of the story changes. What does it end up looking like if you write in the mornings versus at night? Maybe you work better with music. If you usually start with an outline, try diving in with no preparation. Give yourself the opportunity to try something a bit different. You’ll find what works for you.”

Anita Rau Badami

Like Alissa, Anita has found her own writing routine that works for her own style. “I have a rigid routine. I start writing at 9 a.m. no matter what. When I started out, my son was quite young, and I had other jobs that would start later in the day. Even if you’re busy, it’s important to find that time of day that you can wholly devote to your writing. Stick to that schedule.”

For Anita, this rigid routine applies to where she writes as well. “You need to have your own space to focus. It’s important to have a door to shut while you work, where there will be no distractions.” Anita isn’t big on social media, but it might be a good idea to leave your cell phone on the other side of that closed door.

Once you’ve got your space and your schedule, you still need an idea. For Anita, these always come from her own life. “I started out as a journalist, so I’m always drawing from real experiences in my life. Interesting characters. Funny situations. You just need to choose an idea that speaks to you, however tiny it is. You don’t have to know where it will lead you. Just spend time exploring it on paper.”

Even if you start out true to life, you don’t have to end up there. “My characters start out based on real people, but they always change. I mix and match attributes that seem like they might go well together. I place my characters in uncomfortable situations and see how they react. I don’t use all of these ideas, but it helps me to give shape to the idea. Don’t be afraid of drawing on your real life for inspiration. Your friends and family won’t see themselves in your writing by the time you’re done.”

Even though Anita makes a lot of cuts to her stories, she never abandons ideas. “I have notebooks full of ideas, dialogue and descriptions that I cut from my stories. I come back to these notebooks often and find that I can fit ideas into other projects I’m working on. Just because you have a good idea, it doesn’t mean that it’s appropriate for the story you’re working on. Don’t be afraid to file it away to use later on.”