Which do you prefer, fiction or non-fiction?
Fiction because it allows me to dream and do outrageous things with people that I would never dare think about in real life.
Fiction liberates the mind.
Sage words for people who write
First, expand your horizons. Don't limit yourself to one market. There are plenty of opportunities out there. The most important thing is building up your writing portfolio.
Second, and this is the hardest part. Determine if you truly can write. 99% of people like the idea of writing because (1), they think it’s easy money and (2), they have this dream of typing away on an ancient typewriter in a cottage on the Yorkshire moors. 0.5% of people like writing and do it as a hobby. The other 0.5% like writing, see it as profession/career and go for it, guns blazing. They appreciate the hard work involved and have realistic views about what is involved in the writing process. I’ve lost count of the number of women that tell me, ‘I write between 11pm and 1am when the hubby and kids have gone to bed, then I wake up at 05.45am to get the kids ready for school. But it doesn’t matter because the writing is my thing not anyone else.’ That inspires me.
I wrote two books in the middle of an extremely challenging financial and stressful situation. I’d left my human rights job as donors were no longer interested in funding our work. So there I was, broke, busted and disgusted with two book contracts to fulfil. I had to take whatever temping jobs available. A typical day went like this:
I would wake up at 2am, write until 5am before doing my prayers and leaving the house at 6.45am to get to work by bus - because I couldn’t afford a travel card. I would get to work (whichever office I was working in at that time) at 7.45am and stay there as late as I could (to earn overtime) before getting the bus (a 1.5 hr journey in London traffic with annoying/drunken/smelly/take your pick passengers) and getting home about 8/8.30pm. I went to bed about 9pm or 9.30 if I was feeling adventurous, before starting all over again the next day.
That is why when people tell me they would like to write, I usually smile and ask them what they’ve written. When they tell me they haven’t got the time, I smile again and change the subject - fast.
I would like to write. Any tips?
Read, read, read and then read some more. It enhances your writing, sharpens your creativity and lets you know what you’re up against in the publishing world. I’m always amazed by the number of people who tell me they don’t like reading but would like to write. Their arrogance shows in their poor manuscripts. Besides, if you don’t read, what makes you think other people would pay money to read your books?
And once you've read, read, read, write, write, write.
Will you have a look at my manuscript for me?
I don’t read other people’s manuscripts.
Debunk some writing myths
That writing will make you rich. It won't. Well, not necessarily. I'm not sure but I think about 90-95% of writers have fulltime jobs; teaching, journalism, cleaning, cab driver...
That writers cannot do anything but write. It’s like an uncontrollable urge. Hardly. I have a life. When I’m writing, I’m totally submerged in the story I’m working on, but once I switch off, that’s it. I never, ever discuss my work with friends, family or foes because there are more interesting things to talk about. Every writer I know feels the same way. And here's the thing; when I’m writing, I hate it and when I’m not, I miss it. And when I’ve got deadlines...well, let's just leave it there.
Future plans
The usual; literary world domination.
