Here's the #10 tip to get you started.
10) Plot like you're Hermione about to face her boggart:
Hermione's biggest fear was for McGonagall to tell her she'd failed all her exams. And so she always over-studied, ensuring that she was prepared and would never have to face this horror. J.K. Rowling, Hermione's real-life doppelganger, has stated that she is a heavy plotter, working out the details of each book before she writes, and having plotted out all seven when she was writing the first.
Now, I'm not saying that pansters are wrong. Lots of good stuff comes out of free-flowing writing and it can be a great way to get ideas flowing or even write a first draft. But before you even consider hitting send on a manuscript, at some point along the way you had better let your inner Hermione get hold of your work!
Certain types of books call for more plotting beforehand than others. Works like Rowling's with their multiple subplots and intricate trail-of-clues mysteries would be very difficult to write by the seat of your pants.
So, know your story and play to your skills. But keep Hermione close at hand when you need to be sure it all makes sense.
Now, head on over to Melinda's blog and read the other 9 tips!
And while you're there, be sure to check out the rest of this week's posts from other writers as Melinda has been hosting The Week of the Writer.
Be sure to leave a comment and follow Melinda's great blog. She usually does a wonderful wrap up on Friday's that points out great articles and entertainment for the whole week.
