At our last writers’ group meeting we gained several new members. They’re all new to writing fiction. We discussed how to get started.
Writing fiction: trust yourself
Even if you’re new to writing fiction, you know the basics of what makes a story. You’ve been watching TV and movies most of your life, so you understand the various elements.
1. Start writing fiction with short stories
Did you know that Lawrence Block (one of my writing heroes) got his start by writing erotica? As did Donald Westlake, who immortalized his pulp smut career in Adios, Scheherazade, one of the funniest books I’ve ever read. They wrote erotica because it sold at the time they started — as it still does, today.
Whatever genre you choose, try writing short stories. When you’re new to fiction, writing a novel can seem overwhelming. You’ll get stuck, and you’ll stop believing in yourself. Short stories sell on Amazon.
2. Kickstart your imagination daily: write fan fiction
For new authors, fan fiction is a way to kickstart your imagination and fiction writing process. Some authors frown on this, but if you’re clear about your inspiration — and don’t publish the fan fiction anywhere — you’re fine. You’re using fan fiction as practice.
A Regency time travel romance... What if you could escape across time, and find your soulmate?
Pure evil dispatches gorgeous Tara Ballantine across the centuries, to Regency England. Tara lands on Adam Jervoise, Earl of Hillingworth -- literally -- as he's riding through a bluebell wood.
Hillingworth is handsome, rich, and kind. He's also set to propose to an heiress.
When Tara realizes that she's falling in love with the earl, she fights the feeling.
At 24, not only is Molly Ballantine stunning, she has two sisters she loves, and a wonderful career. Then her eldest sister Tara vanishes, and her life disintegrates.
Molly's life is about to become even more chaotic. She wakes up in a brothel with a man who's too good-looking for her peace of mind.
22-year-old Priscilla Ballantine wakes up 200 years in the past, naked in the arms of handsome aristocrat, and master spy, Dominick de Roche, Lord Bellemieux. Priscilla's accused of spying, and is in danger of summary execution. She can't help thinking that she wouldn't be in such a mess if Dominick de Roche hadn't mistaken her for one of his contacts...
