Thank you to Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources and thank you to Jeanine Englert for her guest post today.
Writer Advice Guest Post for Reading Tonic by Jeanine Englert for Eloping with the Laird
Thank you, Reading Tonic, for hosting me today for a guest post!
As a writer, I’m often asked about what advice I would give new writers or to a younger version of myself. After having published my third book and written several others that have not been published, my top five suggestions for those people that are thinking about writing or for those new to writing are:
- Finish the book; don’t keep editing the first few chapters over and over again.
- Just because an agent or publisher says yes to you doesn’t mean you have to say yes to them. Pick the agent and publisher that are right for you.
- Stay in your own lane. Do not worry about what other authors are doing or you will lose your purpose and your joy.
- Listen to your books as you edit.
- Edit from the end of the book to the beginning.
And as we dive into the first month of 2022, I also have a few suggestions on how to take your writing career seriously and how to think of yourself as the professional author that you already are:
- Commit dedicated time to your writing. It doesn’t have to be every day but make a concerted effort to write regularly. For example, I don’t write every day and I don’t have a daily word count requirement for myself, but I do have a weekly wordcount goal.
- Find an accountability buddy that will hold you to your *goals once you make them. If you’re like me and get really lucky your accountability buddy can also be your critique partner and help you get better with your craft.
- *Make yearly and then monthly goals if you haven’t already. Then, stick to them. Well, stick to them as best you can. 😊
- Be open to any opportunities that come your way. Also, join a professional writing organization or another group that will help you better understand the business of writing.
- Take your writing seriously. Otherwise, how can you expect anyone else to?
Finally, allow yourself to dream big and write whatever you want. Don’t allow your fears of what other people will think of you or your words drive your books or your character’s actions. I learned this lesson hard way. I wrote six books about what I thought other people would want to read and held back on what I wanted to put in for fear of what other people would think about me and my stories.
It wasn’t until I wrote my 7th book, Lovely Digits, a book of my heart that I didn’t hold back anything that I wanted to include that I finally got an offer for publication and published my first book. So, listen to your gut, write your story, and embrace the gift of the story that has been given to you. I’m a big believer of this Hank Williams junior quote: “People don’t write music. It’s given to them.” I believe the same is true of the stories given to each of us. Cherish them and your gift.
Wishing you all health, happiness, and a wealth of words and stories in 2022!
-Jeanine Englert
Eloping with the Laird
A man she can trust…
With her life…and her heart?
Ordered by her father to choose a husband by the end of the Highland Games—or he will select one for her—widow Moira Fraser hastily elopes with Rory McKenna, Laird of Blackmore. But they soon discover neither is free of the past. Rory has a price on his head, and needs an heir as soon as possible, and Moira’s horrible first marriage has left her afraid of letting her new husband close…
Author Bio –
Jeanine Englert’s love affair with mysteries and romance began with Nancy Drew, Murder She Wrote, and her Grandmother’s bookshelves full of romance novels. She is a VIVIAN® and Golden Heart® Finalist as well as a Silver Falchion, Maggie, and Daphne du Maurier Award Winner in historical romance and mystery. Her Scottish Highland historical and historical romantic suspense novels revolve around characters seeking self-acceptance and redemption. When she isn’t wrangling with her characters on the page, she can be found trying to convince her husband to watch her latest Masterpiece or BBC show obsession. She loves to talk about books, writing, her beloved rescue pups, as well as mysteries and romance with other readers. Visit her website at www.jeaninewrites.com.
Social Media Links –
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Warm up with a Scottish Highland Giveaway!
(Open to UK / US)
Cozy up with a beautiful cashmere scarf made in Scotland, some book swag, and a Scottish Blessings bracelet while you read my latest Highlander romance, Eloping with the Laird! I hope you enjoy this first book in the Falling for a Stewart series! Happy reading!
*Terms and Conditions –UK & US entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
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