Pink Heart Society columnist, AlTonya Washington, is talking about the things that she finds most beneficial for her...
I’m often asked to offer advice to aspiring authors or to
share tricks of the trade with other colleagues. While many tips or tricks come
to mind, there are two that have been especially beneficial (and enjoyable) for
me.
Sleep: (Talk about joy!) There was a time that I could burn
the candle at both ends and up the middle for weeks on end before I even
noticed that I needed the fuel that sleep provides. Not only was that way of
living unhealthy, but I’m not sure that I was producing my best work in those
early days when the only one clamoring for the next novel was me. Over the last
several years however, I see how greatly I and my work benefit when I listen to
my body and recognize that sleep is what I need.
Of course there are nights when I want to keep on pushing
until the wee hours and I find that my trusty Tazo Awake Tea gets me through. Still,
I’m at my most alert, refreshed and productive after several trusty hours of
sleep. Revisions are crisper-the writing is more engaging. I’m apt to catch
trouble spots in the work faster. I find this to be true even after I’ve napped
for only a few hours. Hopefully, the benefits of sleep (over caffeine) isn’t
some new concept for those of you reading this, but sometimes the most obvious
things bear repeating.
Reading: (More joy!) So again, sometimes the most obvious
things bear repeating and I just can’t stress this enough. One thing that irks
me is when an author (myself included) uses a word to death- I mean they use it
so often one can usually predict when it’ll show up in a sentence. This is
usually when the word ‘thesaurus’ comes to mind. A good editor is a godsend as
well and I thank my Harlequin editors for bringing it to my attention when I do
this. I don’t think they have to call me on it too much if I do say so myselfJ.
Still; and this is something I stress to author friends and
other aspiring authors alike, reading is key. Besides being enjoyable as heck,
it not only builds your vocab but it sparks new ways of saying the same thing-especially
when you read outside your ‘comfort zone’. I’m often amazed by how using new
phrases, new words, even new word combinations can just liven up a particular
passage especially when the passage requires a bit more narration than
dialogue.
I could go on a lot longer and have for those who have made
the mistake of asking me for an opinion. Seriously though; if you’re
experiencing dry spells in your work or you just sense that something’s missing
from your writing, give into that exhaustion and sleep a little. Or grab
something to read; if for no other reason than, to remind you why you started this writing thing in the first place.
We'd love to hear what it is that you need to keep you writing; join the discussion with AlTonya in the comments!
AlTonya's latest book, Treasure My Heart, is available now:
The man every woman wants…wants her
There are flings, and then there's real life. Minka Gerald, assistant to one of the country's top financiers, is too smart to confuse the two. But a business trip to Miami is the perfect place for a workaholic to let loose, and Oliver—brother to her boss's fiancée—is the ideal partner-in-pleasure. And with his heartbreaker reputation, that's as much as she expects.
A ladies' man doesn't become a one-woman guy overnight. But once property developer Oliver Bauer has a taste of real connection, he wants more. Outwardly reserved but full of fire, Minka could hold his heart forever. Can he make her believe in him, before an old enemy's quest for revenge puts her safety and their sizzling new love in jeopardy?
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