The Author Huddle: 6 Tips to Finish Your First Draft

lettersandlight:

This week’s NaNo Coach, author Kristyn Kusek Lewis, sat down with Daniel Wallace, author of Big Fish, to ask his writing advice:

Wrimos, lower the bar! According to Daniel Wallace, one of the most important things you can do this month is to not think too much. He knows of what he speaks: He is the author of five novels, including the acclaimed Big Fish, which was made into a motion picture of the same name in 2003, and is currently running on Broadway as a musical.

He also happens to frequent the same local café where I often write, and we met there recently to discuss some ways that you can make the most of the month. Here, his advice:

• Much of writing is just doing it. I have a sign in my office that says Sit Down in big letters. There’s a tendency to let writing fall to the fifth or sixth place on our to-do lists each day, after shopping or cleaning or whatever, but it needs to be first or second. Commit to having a messy house—it means you have your priorities straight.

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