As we near the very end of 2024, it’s the perfect time to look back at all the insightful advice we’ve had this past year from the 32 authors we’ve interviewed.

“Enjoy the process. Have aims, but don’t be so fixed on a particular idea of success that you lose the sheer joy of it.”
Rebecca Seaton

“Have a go. It’s not until you’ve had a go that you know you can do it. It seems as though you can write anything if you put your mind to it.”
Elizabeth Freeman

“Always plan your story first. Know the direction your story is heading, because if you don’t know, the reader certainly won’t know and they won’t feel connected to your book.”
Nicholas Kasparis

“Writing in any language and genre is in the service of knowledge. At Exiled Writers Ink we’re trying to use this to relay our own. These days, the internet has made our world much smaller, making it easier to understand what’s going on.”

Exiled Writers Ink Chair, Rouhi Shafii

“Read, listen and watch as many different people as possible.”
Kane Corvus

“Get a really good editor!”
David Algar

“Enjoy writing! It’s fun.”
Maggie Freeman

Sharmaine Lovegrove, from Dialogue Books, has undoubtedly shaped the landscape of book publishing, making it a diverse space filled with fresh voices and stories for everyone: “That’s where we find common ground and humanity.”

Photo (c) Robert Rieger

 

“If you have a dream or passion to tell your story to the world, please do. Someone somewhere will like to read your book. You might think there are many books in the world. Is there a place for yours? The answer is yes, there’s a place for every writer! You just need to know your target group/market. Look at the sea; there’s more than enough room for every fish, both big and small, which swim side by side. Your story will swim too. I also read somewhere publishers are not looking for the next JK Rowling, but the next big story, and that might be yours. Keep your dream alive and believe in yourself that your story will break through. If you don’t write, how will you know if you will ever make it? As the saying goes: ‘Try and fail. But never fail to try’.”
Christine Naggenda-Ighorue

“Don’t do it for the money! But seriously, don’t. Write because you enjoy it, even when it’s difficult. There’s reward in the struggle, too.”
Gareth Southwell

“Start! Just start and take one step at a time. It’s a process that will take as long as required; however, as stated in my previous answer, in order for there to be an ending, there must be a beginning first.”
Patricia Sangolo

“The main one is just to start writing. Whether it be a line, a paragraph, or a whole chapter – as long as you’ve written some words, you’ve got something to work with. Once you can see those words on a screen, or on paper, give yourself a pat on the back. You’re on your way!”
Chris Penhall

“It’s super-helpful to work to a routine. Don’t tell yourself you’re too tired to write. I’ve abandoned projects and then returned to them. You soon get up to 50,000 words! To control the material, you can also write scenes at synopsis level as a reference to what’s happening in the journey and structure and plot of the novel.”
Isabelle Kenyon

“Just write. Keep going even when it’s not turning out the way you want, because the very act of writing sometimes releases ideas you didn’t know you had and ends up being the most important aspect of the piece. The more you use the writing muscle, the better it functions. Also walk: the act of walking seems to boost creativity. But, in preparation for that, read, read, read – not just the good stuff but some bad stuff, too.”
Robert Nurden

 

“Having the time to write is a luxury. One of the reasons so many people from my background come to writing later in life, is because there can be more financial freedom and time. You’re not working three jobs any more, raising a family, or undertaking caring responsibilities. 

And then there’s the impetus… You watch the years run by and think to yourself: ‘When am I going to do this thing?’

But don’t ever think you’re too old. My first book was published when I was 56. It’s never too late. I am 63 and consider myself mid-career. I’ll write until they remove the pen from my hand!”
Kit de Waal

 

 

“Read. It really is that simple. Often, many aspiring writers are simply not reading enough. That’s how we learn what good writing is. So my one piece of advice is this: if you want to write fiction, read the books of the best fiction writers in the genre you wish to write in. If you want to write travel literature, read the books of the best travel writers. Learn to mimic them and, in time, your own ‘voice’ or ‘style’ will emerge from this.”
Tharik Hussain

“Your voice matters. Especially for minority writers, there has always been a feeling of frustration that you can’t see yourself in the books you read, and that no one cares about you. This is a good incentive to start writing. As Toni Morrison says: “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.”

 After you’ve decided to start, take your writing seriously. Read other writers’ works, learn from other writers’ experiences, surround yourself with aspiring writers, and workshop your writing with others. Your voice matters and it needs to be heard. But you also need a lot of practice to get your voice out in the most effective way so it matters to other people and the wider world.”
Hongwei Bao

“Never give up. Believe in yourself. And keep believing because persistence really does pay. The main difference between those who succeed and those who don’t is tenacity.”
Julia Wood

“Go with your gut, for sure! Look for a writing group where you feel supported. I encourage you to keep searching and writing and sharing your work. Like any athlete, flex your writing muscle often, find your voice, strengthen it, and use it confidently. Your voice is unique and precious; nurture it, because it matters.

Never stop reading. Presently, I enjoy reading children’s books as often as possible to my four grandchildren. I read every day, all kinds of genres and authors; it is my business, after all!

Finally, and very importantly, find ways to rest your brain when you’re in the thick of it. Be kind to yourself, take care of your mental health and of your body. As someone who suffers from anxiety and  who’s experienced numerous surgeries, I know what I’m talking about! You’ve got this, keep going and please seek help if/when you need to.”
Mirabel Lavelle

 

“So much of my work is about the rebirth, the reshaping identity. For me, the loss of height was a big part of that. At six feet tall, I had the unconscious status height gives you. That was whipped away. I hate being in this supplicant position, asking for help to reach the shelves. It makes me feel diminished.

But there’s another side, too. I’ve become gentler, kinder, less spiky and have a whole bunch of readers who think I’m one hundred per cent kind. Even though that’s not always true, for me, honesty is at the heart of things, but not the kind that precludes kindness.”
Melanie Reid

“To all the aspiring writers out there: you can do anything you want! Although it may seem impossible to live up to people’s expectations, it’s really not. Look at me. I’ve written something and I’m just ten. Just imagine what you could do. Books aren’t about making a long encyclopaedia, they’re about writing about something that matters to you. Whether it’s cooking, fantasy, or even stuff like photography.”
Nilson Semedo

 “Take joy in your writing and write scenes and stories that fascinate you because, chances are, that’s what will draw readers in. But be prepared for the slog of editing. Sometimes you have to edit your work for longer than it took to write it. Some drafts are like the block of material you have to carve your sculpture out of. That’s how much needs to be chipped away.”
Kat Hausler

“It’s a learning curve and you will make many mistakes, but don’t give up. The writing journey is a marathon, not a sprint.”
Eva Lauder

“Finish something! Take a short break and then go back and improve it.”
Barry Max Wills

 

“Everyone has experiences and opinions that are absolutely unlike anyone else’s. If you’ve got things to say but you don’t have the confidence that you’re able to write very well, you need to make your peace with that. The thing that stops people is perfectionism. Accept you’re not going to be Hilary Mantel, you’re going to be you, and at the beginning you’re a beginner and that’s absolutely fine. Do it, then re-read it, be your own editor, make it better.”
Sara Pascoe

 

“First, I would say believe in yourself, be authentic, read and explore, then create your own magic.”
Amaka Felly Obioji

EC: I would give three pieces of advice for an inspiring writer: cultivate a habit for reading, keep a journal, and start by writing short stories. Reading helps us to understand what we like, what inspires us and, most importantly, what we think is missing in a book. Writing a journal on a regular basis is a very doable and valuable exercise that helps your writing skills shape up. Starting with a short story provides the fulfilment of having put together a finished work.

GB: Eric’s gone down the practical route with some excellent tips, so I’ll go more philosophical! I think a really valuable message is that you become a better writer with each new thing you write. This is enhanced even further by trying different genres and formats. Don’t always worry about what becomes of them, because you’ll have learned something new each time.

George Brown and Eric Conway who write under author pseudonym Frank Francis

“You can’t be a writer without being a reader, first and always. The best writers never stop always reading widely, and reading with openness and curiosity.”
Francesca de Tores

“Most writers have a full-time job – I do, too. I would recommend taking a small notebook to a café on your lunch break (if you’re lucky to get one!) and take your writing from there. That’s exactly what I did.”
Jamie Christian Taylor

“Just write! Writing is one of the most powerful ways to express yourself and it can be incredibly therapeutic. If your writing has the potential to benefit others or yourself, then you have a moral obligation to share it. Also, here’s a piece of wisdom I once received from a wise banker: “Whatever you do professionally, do it beautifully.” Approach your craft with care, dedication and a commitment to excellence, and the beauty in your work will always shine through.”
Isac Jacob

“Have a way to record ideas (voice recorder app, notebook, etc) while getting on with your life (including those moments, between sleep and waking, when the universe momentarily opens a portal). Also, set goals. Number One: Make time to write for at least five minutes each day.”
Curtis Brown

“Poetry isn’t just about beautiful phrases. It’s about sharing our emotions, our humanity and our history. I facilitate workshops on poetry and freedom because I think part of what happens with class is that we get locked into a certain mindset where we’re in opposition to the people we should be in solidarity with.”
Jenny Mitchell

Photo (c) Amber Perry

 

You can’t be anything less than inspired after reading all that writerly advice! Everyone here at Pen to Print and Write On! wishes you an extremely creative and fruitful 2025.

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Issue 23 of Write On! is out now and you can read it online here. Find it in libraries and other outlets. You can find previous editions of our magazines here. 

You can hear great new ideas, creative work and writing tips on Write On! Audio. Find us on all major podcast platforms, including Apple and Google Podcasts and Spotify. Type Pen to Print into your browser and look for our logo, or find us on Podcasters.Spotify.com.

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