Nicholas Bate

Writer's Block 7

If you’re writing a thriller and you have hit a block, try introducing any one  of these lines to free things up:

1. We’re not who you think we are.
2. The premises were clinically clean apart from a swab of DNA we found on some gum near the door.
3. The profile suggest he’s a Rolling Stones loving loner.
4. Are you saying it could be one of us?
5. I want every CCTV film across the city of London for the last 24 hours scrutinised frame by frame. Now.
6. Recognise this badge? I’m from the Bureau and this is now our case.
7. You have until noon tomorrow. Nobody knows you are on the case and you are totally off the unit’s grid. If anything goes wrong I will deny all knowledge. The bag contains a gun, a passport and 1 million Euros. Everything else to do with you has been wiped. To say good luck would be optimistic.

Budding Authors

may well be interested in the new set-up from Jeffrey Krames

On Cars, Being 17 and Life...

Mine was light blue with a dent just above the driver’s side headlight that could light up the tops of trees as you drove – that is if there were trees to see in the neighborhood. Two doors and bucket seats with a chrome shifter in the middle – 327/350 engine, 4-barrel carb, and a Chevy nameplate.

Continued

On Writing: The Top 5 Challenges to Publishing Your Business Book

1. The idea. Passion x Angle. Don't write about anything you are not passionate about. OK so presenting is your thing. Now you need an angle that pulls you out of the crowd e.g. presenting solely by story -telling.
2. Starting. Write x Timetable. You must write a lot. Out of quantity will come quality. To ensure quantity set yourself a timetable and whether you feel like it or not be at your typewriter bashing the keys at that time.
3. Approval. Great x Love. We all want to produce a great book. We all want to be loved for it. Forget it: it's a huge advantage to not necessarily have all your success with book 1 (or album 1 for that matter); it makes subsequent ones even harder. No: produce what you feel is your best and don't look for approval. If it's any good you'll build your own market and that's all you need.
4. Publisher. Hustle x Hassle. No more mr nice guy. Follow all the rules about how to pitch, but then follow-up  and write. And approach them again. If you've got passion and angle you will find a publisher.
5. Selling it. Word of mouth x Abundant. Get your book out there. If it has any worth, word-of-mouth will do the rest. 

The 7 Levels of Why I am Not Writing Bull**it.

1. I can't write because of my lack of education;
2. I can't write because of my parents;
3. I can't write because of my young children;
4. I can't write because of lack of time;
5. I can't write because I need a lap-top;
6. I can't write as it is too sunny outside;
7. I can't write because I am not inspired.

Writing is a muscle...

...best kept warm

On Writing 4: How to Write

Like many skills:
1. You have to start, however painful. Jump in. Pencil to paper, fingers to keyboard.
2. Practise. Do it a lot.
3. Learn some techniques e.g. write a lot then edit hard. But don't spend too much time reading about writing: get on with it.
4. Schedule your writing time and stick to it.
In addition:
5. Write about what gives you feeling and passion. Travel? Politics?
6. Write anyplace, anytime.
7. Write when you don't feel like writing. Suddenly, you will feel like writing.
8. Write so much your own style appears.
9. Respect the basics of grammar and punctuation.
10. Start.

On Writing 3: where To Write

1. In a café
2. On the train
3. At the kitchen table
4. Next to your baby’s cot as they sleep
5. In the park at lunch-time.
6. Starbucks
7. At your Mum’s
8. On the bus to work
9. At the library.
10. At your boyfriends when he is sleeping in.

On Writing 2: What to Write

1. Thoughts.
2. Facts.
3. Made-up stuff.
4. A postcard.
5. Notes from reading/studying.
6. Biographical details.
7. A blog
8. A yellow sticky saying ‘I love you’ left on his PC.
9. Comments on politics, the weather and current fashion.
10. A letter.

On Writing 1: Reasons to Write

1. Expand your brain.
2. Clarify your thinking.
3. Maybe make some money.
4. Build your brand.
5. For fun.
6. Expand their brain.
7. For anguish.
8. Impress your girlfriend.
9. To see if you can.
10. Because it is there.