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Tessa Pacelli's avatar

The best piece of writing advice I ever got? Make SURE you love your idea and your MC verrrry much, because you will be spending lots and lots and lots of time with them! Years. You'll want to quit and give up so many times. Often, only your love for the story and your characters will keep you going. Your implacable belief that they need to meet the world, and that you need to be the one making the introduction. :)

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Lauren Nossett's avatar

Yes!! This is so true! Sometimes when I'm starting to write, I feel like characters are good friends I want to spend time with--and that's how I know I'm on the right track!

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Tracey S. Phillips's avatar

I loved what Lauren says about writing x number of words a day. Sometimes I write a whole chapter, and other times I delete one. The point is to keep working on your story, one day at a time.

Thank thriller writers!

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Lauren Nossett's avatar

Yes!! It's a much more realistic goal, and the story still stays fresh in your mind!

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Bryan Gruley's avatar

When I embarked on my first (non-fiction) book, an author friend told me never to think about the whole book because it would overwhelm me. Just focus on the task you need to accomplish that day. Good advice that applies just as well to my novels.

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Lauren Nossett's avatar

Isn't it great to have wise author friends? This sounds like good life advice as well!

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Bryan Gruley's avatar

Agree!

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