At a recent conference, where I was taking pitches and doing critiques, I was reminded of some of the most common problems of new and even not-so-new writers. I ended up getting a copy of this book from the bookstore and recommending it to a number of people. Some of them are writing fiction. Some

How to make your stories better – whether they’re true or fiction

Most of the time when new writers tell me they’ve written a book, what they actually mean is that they’ve completed a first draft of a book. And my advice is, “Don’t rush off to find a publisher for a first draft.” So, if you’re in that boat, what would I suggest you do? 1.

You’ve written a book: now what? The 8 steps I advise