Advice & Tips from the Trenches
for Upcoming Authors,
Writers & Publishers
Writing and Editing
“You have to break the monotony at times, stop, change the mood or setting, and take time to think about where you’re going and where you want to take a reader. ”
—Teri Woods, author of True to the Game
“Never write like someone else, use your own voice. The minute you do this you’ve already failed in my opinion. Remember that when it comes to writing novels, you are God, because you can write, create, and have the freedom to write how you want. There is no right or wrong way when it comes to this craft. Write from your heart and never from your head.”
—Treasure E. Blue, author of Harlem Girl Lost and A Street Girl Named Desire
“I overcome it by leaving the story alone for a while, rethinking things and coming back to it later. There is no easy way to overcome it in my opinion.”
—Amaleka G. McCall, author of A Twisted Tale of Karma
“BE YOURSELF!!! I cannot stress this enough. Be who you were created to be. So many writers, especially in this genre today, are just carbon copies of other writers that are out here… Write for the love of writing. Many prospective authors are always asking me how much money I make, or how much do I plan on making. I tell them that I don’t make any money. I write for free.”
—Travis Vp Fox, author of Poison Ivy
“If you don’t have true intentions on finishing the project, don’t even start it. Readers only know of authors that cross the finish line. Never write with money on your mind.”
—Isadore Johnson, author of Drug Dealer
“Do research. Go to different book events and speak to different authors about their experiences regarding publishing companies and distribution companies etc. A lot of published authors won't help aspiring authors but there are those that will.”
—Trustice Gentles aka Jatye, author of Born Assassin
“Read, read, read! There is no way to get around that if a writer is serious about becoming known as a really good scribe in today’s competitive book market. But I’ve never met a writer who didn’t enjoy reading anyway. It’s a natural thing.”
—Leah Whitney, editor of Gangsta (K'wan) and Blinded (KaShamba Williams)
“Never give up on your dreams, because success doesn’t happen overnight. Additionally, if you believe in your work, don’t let anyone change the entire content of what you are trying to say. That would make it their story, not yours.”
—Belinda Williams, CEO of Literary Lifestyles
“Learn the craft. There are some fantastic story tellers out there, but that alone will not make you a great writer. I have never known anyone to say his/her writing suffered from learning the craft.”
—Deatri King-Bey, author of Caught Up
“My biggest harps are on dialogue and characterization. Say the dialogue out loud. Act it out with your family. Make sure it reads the way people really speak, and pay attention that not all the characters speak exactly the same way.”
—Candace K. Cottrell, Editorial Director of Qboro Books
Motivation & Inspiration
“Stay focused and don't lose retrospect of why you decided to pursue a career as an author.”
—KaShamba Williams author of Mind Games
“I always wanted to be heard and tell stories. I wanted to be my own boss. I hated working for other people…”
—Erick Gray author of It's Like Candy
“Inspiration for novels comes from a quick glance out of my West Side Detroit home. Trust me when I say this. I don’t just write urban fiction from my imagination, unfortunately for now, I live it.”
—Michel Moore, author of Say U Promise
“My motivation to start writing began while I was serving almost a decade in Federal Prison for a drugs and guns charge.”
—Isadore Johnson, author of Drug Dealer
“When you write because you LOVE to write you won't need any inspiration...like Nike you JUST DO IT!”
—Amaleka G. McCall, author of A Twisted Tale of Karma
“...I’ve experienced and been witness to many hardships at the expense of growing up in a dysfunctional household. As a result, I harbored and kept many ill emotions within, unable to express them in a normal way, thus becoming an emotional time bomb as a kid and much of my adulthood. Then I discovered reading, and that became my solace, taking me out of my thoughts, liberating me even if it was for only a couple of hours. Years later, when the smoke cleared, I still felt trapped and decided to confront my demons on paper.”
—Treasure E. Blue, author of Harlem Girl Lost and A Street Girl Named Desire
Check back for more advice & tips from the trenches.
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Renita M. Walker
Author of "Like Night & Day"
Triple Crown Publications
May 2008