My tips have changed A LOT over the years. But so has the industry. The first time I ever gave writing tips was at my first writer’s festival, aptly named The Emerging Writer’s Festival, in Melbourne in 2009. They’re probably not that relevant now, but you can find them here. Here’s something a little more succinct:

• Read: This is how you learn how to write. Many great writers never went to writing workshops or creative writing classes. But they read. When you read, you can see writing done right. But you can also see it going wrong, which teaches you how to improve. It also opens up your mind to other worlds, genres, experiences and styles. Reading is good. Do it.
• Write: Don’t just say you want to be a writer. You have to do it. Frequently if you can, because that way it becomes habit, and considering many writers struggle with making time to write, making it a habit is a great thing. Plus, it doesn’t matter how many courses you do or workshops you attend. Writing gets better with practice. The more you write the better you’ll get. You’ll find the process even gets a little easier. Although bear in mind writing itself is never easy.
• Connect: Writing is a solitary pursuit. Connect with other writers. In the flesh, via email, on social media – whatever works for you. Follow writer-specific hashtags, find writers. Go to a workshop, learn from writers. Sign up to newsletters (by writers and writing organisations), know what writers are doing. Head to a writer’s festival, meet writers. Connection is good for encouragement, solidarity when the going gets tough, promotion (writers are constantly championing other people’s work) and yes, even competition. Having a mentor is great too.
• Engage: With the world around you! Henry David Thoreau said ‘How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live’. I love that quote. Inspiration fuels creativity. You won’t get as much done if you’re sitting at a computer, bored. Get out there and grab a coffee, start a conversation, visit somewhere you’ve never gone – anything to broaden your horizons and give you something to work with. My best ideas have come from reading newspapers or listening to music or taking little adventures. Oh and asking questions.
• Persist: This is not an easy industry. Even after you’ve cracked it, you will struggle. For me, it’s not about making money or being a bestseller (although those things are great) but about doing something that I love. I write because I have to, because it helps me make sense of my life and the world and where I am at in it. You might get rejected a few times. It happens to the best (J.K. Rowling and Jodi Picoult got rejected dozens of times). Keep at it. Try a different agent! Re-work your introduction. Get a manuscript assessment at your local writer’s centre. Do a five minute pitch at a writer’s festival. It sounds cheesy, but believe in your work and your story and you will continue to find potential to improve it, pitch it, and make it see the light of day.

I’ve spoken to other authors over the years, about their processes and experiences. You can find those posts here.
I get asked a lot of questions about what my work is like. Here are some answers.