Want
to Learn How to Write? Don’t miss You Can
Write—Really!
by
Kelli A. Wilkins
If one of your goals is to write a novel
or a short story this year, you’ve come to the right blog.
When people learn that I’m a writer, they
often tell me: “I want to write a book, but…” and then they go into longwinded
explanations about why they can’t write
it. Usually they don’t know where (or how) to start, or they say they don’t
have the time.
Well, I’ve got a solution for all that.
And
as an author of more than 100 short stories and 19 romance novels, I’m often
asked: Where do you get your ideas? How do I get published? How do you write a
book? What advice do you have for writers who are just starting out? Do you
have any writing tips? Can you help me?
Sure I can!
One
day I started thinking about everything I’ve learned over the years, and
inspiration hit me: Why not write a book on how to write? The result? You Can
Write—Really! A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Fiction.
This fun and practical book walks
you through the story-creating process step-by-step from getting a great idea
to meeting your characters, developing a plot, and on to writing, revising, and
submitting your work.
Each
easy-to-read chapter is based on my years of experience as a writer, advice
I’ve received over the years, and the technical “know-how” I’ve gained in
writing classes and workshops. I also included helpful tips all writers can
use, plus easy writing exercises to get you motivated.
I’m an eclectic writer, and that
means I write everything—short horror fiction, full-length romance novels,
science fiction, and non-fiction. People are always asking me, “How can you
write in so many different genres and styles? What’s the secret?”
It’s really not that difficult. Why?
Because the basic mechanics of good storytelling are universal, no matter what
genre you write. Every fiction story contains the same ingredients: an
interesting and engaging plot, characters the reader cares about and roots for,
supporting details, and background that draw the reader into the story.
Once you have the basics down, you can write—really! Here
are a few quick tips and writing exercises:
TIP: Set aside an hour a day to write. Not sure you have an
hour? Consider writing on your lunch break or during a commute. Get up an hour
earlier or schedule time after dinner. Make an appointment with yourself and
keep it. You can also write in two blocks of 30 minute sessions.
TIP: Keep
a pen and paper (or a voice recorder) with you at all times to note bits of
dialogue you overhear, something strange, funny, or creepy you see, or anything
else that captures your attention and could be used for a story.
EXERCISE: Write three
to five dialogue exchanges where two characters meet for the first time. What
do they talk about? What is happening in the scene or around them?
EXERCISE: All characters want something, whether it’s a cup of
coffee, a new car, to escape from jail, to eat lunch, or to finish a big
project on time. Brainstorm five things your character wants, large or small.
Here are some examples: woman wants to escape her abusive husband; man wants to
bury a body; private investigator wants to find a blackmailer; fifth grade kid
wants to get away with cheating on a math test.
Here’s the book summary:
You Can Write—Really! A
Beginner’s Guide to Writing Fiction
Have you
always wanted to write?
Are you
looking for an extra boost of motivation?
Do you have
a great story idea, but don’t know how to develop it?
If you’ve always dreamed of writing and getting
published, but have no idea where or how to start—THIS is the book for you!
You
Can Write—Really! is an easy guide designed for beginner writers who need
a boost of motivation and simple instructions on how to get started.
Award-winning author Kelli A. Wilkins takes you
step-by-step through the writing process, covering the basics of plotting,
editing, revising, and submitting. She explores ways to get
your creativity flowing, explains where authors get ideas, and shows you how to create interesting
characters for your story.
Contains helpful tips all writers
can use, PLUS fun writing exercises to get you motivated!
Ready
to write? Order your copy here:
Happy Reading (and Writing!)
Kelli
A. Wilkins
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kelli A. Wilkins
is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 19
romance novels, and 5 non-fiction books. Her romances span many genres and heat
levels, and she’s also been known to scare readers with her horror stories.
In January 2019 Kelli released the second half of her
new flash fiction series, Cupid’s Schemes. These two volumes
of lighthearted mini-romances are perfect reads for a quick lunchtime escape or
an after-work indulgence.
She also released
her first online writing course, Fiction
Writing for Beginners, through Teachable. This course is perfect for
anyone who wants to learn how to write. Visit: https://kelliwilkins.teachable.com/
for more details.
Kelli’s historical
romance, Redemption from a Dark Past, was published in 2018. This
full-length Gothic novel is set in the kingdom of Hungary in 1723 and blends a
sensual romance with mystery and suspense.
If you like horror
fiction, don’t miss her latest novella, Nightmare in the North.
CATCH
UP WITH KELLI
Here’s a full list of where you can find Kelli on the web.
Website:
http://www.KelliWilkins.comBlog:
http://kelliwilkinsauthor.blogspot.com/ Amazon Author Page:
www.amazon.com/author/kelliwilkinsTwitter:
www.Twitter.com/KWilkinsauthor Facebook Author Page:
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins Facebook Historical Romances:
https://www.facebook.com/Historical-Romances-by-Kelli-A-Wilkins-1703805359922371/ Facebook Contemporary Romances:
https://www.facebook.com/Contemporary-Romances-by-Kelli-A-Wilkins-1965702023664339/ Facebook Gay Romances:
https://www.facebook.com/GayRomancesbyKelliAWilkins/ FREE READS:
http://www.manicreaders.com/KelliAWilkins/ Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/kelliwilkins2/ Bookbub:
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kelli-a-wilkins Books2Read:
https://www.books2read.com/ap/nkvddR/Kelli-A-Wilkins Pinterest:
http://www.pinterest.com/KWilkinsAuthor/Shutterstock:
https://www.shutterstock.com/g/kelli+wilkinsiStock:
https://www.istockphoto.com/portfolio/kelliwilkinsNewsletter sign-up:
http://eepurl.com/HVQqbTeachable Online Writing Course:
https://kelliwilkins.teachable.com/
