What I wish I knew then

I look at writing as a continual learning process. It's hard to imagine what steps I could have just skipped over as how I write now has been built on what I've learned over the years. Here are some things I wish hadn't been such "duh" moments for me:

• "Was" is not an evil word.


• All things in moderation, especially "was".


• "That", when writing, is as bad as "uh" when speaking.


• You will *always* have to edit *something*.


• Someone, somewhere, some time, will rip you a new one over what you wrote.


• Someone, somewhere, some time, will adore what caused the other person to rip you a new one.


• Life happens. Roll with it.


• It helps to be disciplined, but if you aren't, you can still be dedicated.


• Keep that first manuscript around to prove you can write a novel.


• Do your best to finish for the day at a point where you know exactly what's going to happen next. Write yourself a note if you have to.

Write in good health!

*EDIT: Yes, I reviewed this post and read it out loud before I submitted it and yet, I still dropped a word. See, something else to add to the list: sometimes things will fall through the cracks despite your best efforts.