7 Things I’ve Learned So Far, by Eric Griffith

This is a recurring column called “7 Things I’ve Learned So Far,”where writers (this installment written by Eric Griffith, author of BETA TEST: A NOVEL) at any stage of their career can talk about writing advice and instruction as well as how they possibly got their book agent -- by sharing seven things they’ve learned along their writing journey that they wish they knew at the beginning.

1. Write The Acknowledgements As You Go. There is nothing more horrible than leaving someone out when you make public thanks. Ask anyone who's won an Oscar and forgot to mention their dad, their wife, or their all-powerful agent. There's a long time lapse between finishing a manuscript and publication, and let's face it, you don't have a mind like a steel trap anymore. I guarantee someone will be forgotten in if you don't write your acknowledgements as you work on the book. Sorry, Mom.

2. Mentally Cast Your Characters. Having a hard time getting the voice of your character just right? Assign actors to play the parts of your characters. I tend to go with Hollywood names, but I've used friends and family as well (even when the character is not really like their personality). Don't get stuck thinking it has to be a current actor – there's a century of movies to pick from, and sometimes a young Steve Buscemi or Kathleen Turner fits a character better than the current older versions.

3. Script First, Action Later. Dialogue can be hard enough, but then "blocking" a scene—choreographing the action that takes place while characters are talking—that can be a nightmare. Movies don't worry about that too much. Scripts are 90% dialogue. Try writing a scene the same way: just write what they say, leave out all the "gazes," "nods," "smiles," and any movement at all. What you get may be all you need.

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4. Establish a Routine, then Steamroll Those Who Get In Your Way. We all are told to treat writing like a job, but that's pretty hard because chances are you already have a job! Probably an occupation that you want to keep, so you can continue to do things like eat and get back to watching "Hoarders" on A&E to feel good about yourself. Nevertheless, you must set up regular time to write. Then whenever someone tries to schedule you out of that time...don't do it. Those hours are sacrosanct. If you can, get out of the house. Kudos to you if you can schedule at-home writing time for when the family is away. I suggest when they're at church or volunteering at a soup kitchen. It might make you a bad person, but you're a bad person with finished pages. (Bonus: you do don't have to get dressed.)

5. Family and Significant Others Can't Be Trusted. Look, they love you. That means they either love you so much they can't say what you need to hear, or they're probably furious at you (that's the flip side of love, baby!). What's more, they're probably not writers, either. Family is for support (if you're lucky), not criticism. Don't expect to get anything constructive from them.

6. Cultivate Readers, Not Just a Writing Group. A good critique group is invaluable. You need like-minded writers to help you see your gaping plot holes, wooden characters, and lack of a theme. The problem is, time. Most groups can only meet a couple of times a month, once a week at best. Getting through a whole book can take forever –reading 2,000 words a week, it would take a year to get through a 100,000+ novel. Get those primary readers in your back pocket: a small army of elites who will be prepared to read your entire book in one big lump and give you the feedback your group may never get to, especially on those final chapters.

7. Get Ready to Go On Tour! The chances are extremely slim you'll be sent on a book tour by your publisher. That's for successful writers! But, guess what, you are your own marketing department, so you must create your own tour if you want anyone to ever know about that book. To start, make friends with the local book store for an opening. Then get going on a blog tour (hire a pro to help you or cultivate relationships with bloggers who love books, starting now now). Go to conferences. You should be on every panel that will take you, at every tiny local literary fest to the biggest conventions. Yes, all the travel and accommodations will cost you. But it's a nice tax deduction, and an investment in your future as a writer. This is one of those "work locally, think globally" deals that will sell some books.

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