These tips are not hard and fast rules. They are a bunch of tips I've picked up from experience and
reading, and will also include tips submitted by viewers of this site. If you want to submit a tip, see
below the note at the bottom of the "Tips" section.
Writing
- Remember, your original summary is only a guideline. Don't be afraid to change it, but make
sure the change makes sense and is benenficial to the story.
Posted: 13 October 2008
- Write about something you enjoy writing about. If its a long story, it may take months or
years to write and you don't want to be stuck with a boring idea that long. Also, your lack of
enthusiasm will probably show through.
Posted: 19 October 2008
- There is no secret formula to writing a great book. Find an idea you are interested in, plan it
out, and write. No one can tell you how you work best.
Posted: 19 October 2008
- If you are writing for children, get to know your audience. Spend time with kids the age you
will be writing for. If you have journals or stories that you wrote as a kid, read those to
refresh your memory of what it was like to be that age.
Posted: 14 January 2009
Publishing
- When writing a query letter, try to keep it a page long and not more.
Posted: 13 October 2008
- Before sending a submission, check the publisher's website to see if they have submission
guidelines.
Posted: 13 October 2008
- You are more likely to get noticed if you address your submission to an editor (but make sure
it's the correct editor).
Posted: 19 October 2008
- There is no secret formula to publishing your book either. Write a good story, research
publishers carefully, and send off your work. You can do some things to increase your
chances of getting noticed (such as being professional), but nothing will guarantee success.
Posted: 19 October 2008
- Never give up!! Some of the best books were rejected many times. Unless you truly think
that your story has no chance because it has so many problems with it (and you don't just
think this because you've had a bad day), or you've spent all your money on paper, stamps,
and ink that you can't afford any more, don't stop trying.
Posted: 19 October 2008
If you have any tips on any part of the writing process (from the first idea to publishing and
marketing), you can email it to sean@bananasplitpublishing.com and I will post it here
(you can include your name and position (e.g. writer, editor, etc.) if you like.
Also, you can use the new Writer's Notebook to plan out your story. This new version is
completely different from the old Writer's Notebook. I include tools to help plan and
organize thoughts for the story. See the "Writer's Notebook" page for more details.
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