Advertise & Recruit on HBCU CONNECT The #1 way to reach the HBCU community — 300K+ monthly visitors & 1.5M members View the Media Kit →
Quick Search

Active Bloggers

HBCU CONNECT HBCU CONNECT
Central State University class of 1995
Joel Savage Joel Savage
class of 1993
LaMarr Blackmon LaMarr Blackmon
Cal St Univ, Long Beach class of 1992
Reginald Culpepper Reginald Culpepper
Clark Atlanta University class of 1998
Will Moss Will Moss
Hampton University class of 1995
Beverly Johnson Beverly Johnson
class of
Randi Payton Randi Payton
University of the District of Columbia class of 1982
James Gray James Gray
Prairie View A&M University class of 1995
rickey johnson rickey johnson
Other College... class of

Dorothy Koomson’s Top 5 Writing Tips

Dorothy Koomson’s Top 5 Writing Tips
Posted By: EDC Creations on April 29, 2012



Dorothy Koomson’s Top 5 Writing Tips

1. Keep going. It’s a lot harder to keep going than to give up. You’ll get a lot of knock backs, but if you believe in yourself and keep writing you’ll get there. Obviously that’s hard to do after your sixth rejection letter of the day – but just think of all those other people out there who don’t even try because they’re scared of rejection. You’ve got a lot further than them.

2. Stop talking and do it! I’m always saying this, but it’s very easy to get into the cycle of talking about a story but never committing it to paper. And, because you’ve talked about it already, part of you will feel there’s no need to write it. Let your writing do the talking.

3. Write what interests you. If you don’t write about things that you’re likely to read you’re far less likely to put your heart into the story. I think the best stories are the ones that you can feel the author believes in what they’re writing. Technically competent books are all very well, but I’ve often got to the end and felt there was nothing beyond clever language to them. And, enjoy yourself, there’s nowt worse than not loving what you’re writing.

4. Read – lots. Don’t just read what interests you, read what sells, read what doesn’t sell. Read the trade press, read other authors’ websites, read anything you can that’ll help you along the road to being published.

5. Remember . . . Opinions are like butts – everyone’s got one.



In other words, don’t be tempted to do something you don’t believe in and if you have an uneasy feeling about something or someone, think twice before committing yourself. It’ll save you a lot of tears, tantrums and money later on.

Bonus Tip!
Join The Society of Authors. If you do one thing to help yourself it’s to join this society. They’ll give you the best impartial advice available.


About the Author
Dorothy Koomson is the author of seven novels, including, The Woman He Loved Before, The Ice Cream Girls, Goodnight, Beautiful, Marshmallows for Breakfast, My Best Friend's Girl, The Chocolate Run and The Cupid Effect. Her books have been translated into more than 28 languages across the world. Website: http://www.dorothykoomson.co.uk


Read the first chapter of The Ice Cream Girls
http://www.dorothykoomson.co.uk/pdf/IceCre...


Order Ice Cream Girls by Dorothy Koomson
ISBN-10: 145550713X
ISBN-13: 978-1455507139
Women's Fiction. Suspense. Psychological Thriller

KINDLE: http://www.amazon.com/The-Ice-Cream-Girls-...
AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/Ice-Cream-Girls-Doro...
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ice-cream-...
If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email!
Comments
Please Login To Post Comments...
Email:
Password:

 
Afi Pittman
Supply Officer at United States Navy
Hi Dorothy, thank you for this post! I just read the summary for "Marshmallows for breakfast". I'm going to check it out =)
Saturday, May 12th 2012 at 2:06AM
More From This Author
Authors Appreciation Month at EDC Creations
Raising Him Alone Workshops for Single Mothers Kick-Off Philadelphia, PA
Dirty Divorces: Homewreckers or Survivors
Intimate Conversation with author David Miller
National Survey to Support Single Mothers
Intimate Conversation with author David Miller
Latest Blogs
Ethiopia’s ancient written culture and the legacy of its Christian heritage

Ethiopia’s ancient written culture and the legacy of its Christian heritage

Photo: An ancient Ethiopian manuscript written in Geez displayed inside a traditional monastery. Ethiopia occupies a distinctive place in world history, not only for its ancient civilization but ...more
Joel Savage • 55 Views • September 5th, 2026
Hey my loves!! 💗💗

Hey my loves!! 💗💗

How do we find out about new music, YouTube Ms Unique Lashea introduced me to Masego She also teaches us about life in the ATL, Mommy Life and Entrepreneurship Connect with her connect with Busine ...more
Class of 2027 STAFF • 58 Views • September 4th, 2026
Emerging R&B Artist DONO Shows Her Versatility With New Single

Emerging R&B Artist DONO Shows Her Versatility With New Single

@DONO #DONO Socials: Instagram - @justdono_ TikTok - @justdono_ YouTube - @justdono_ Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/5wyWKmk8XPhoJlD6rnw0eG?si=WRfCqMaaS7SRFnAo766fUw DONO is an emerg ...more
LaMarr Blackmon • 80 Views • September 4th, 2026
The Antikythera Mechanism: The Ancient Greek Computer 1,400 Years Ahead

The Antikythera Mechanism: The Ancient Greek Computer 1,400 Years Ahead

An image of the Antikythera Mechanism’s bronze gears displayed in a museum, showing its intricate ancient engineering. The discovery of the Antikythera Mechanism remains one of the most astonish ...more
Joel Savage • 72 Views • September 4th, 2026
Children shot in Gaza: Why child casualties demand global action

Children shot in Gaza: Why child casualties demand global action

An image of injured Palestinian children receiving emergency treatment in an overcrowded Gaza hospital, showing trauma, vulnerability, and the urgent need for global protection. Children in Gaz ...more
Joel Savage • 100 Views • September 3rd, 2026
Popular Blogs
Divorce in America in 2009 – What’s love got to do, got to do with it?

Divorce in America in 2009 – What’s love got to do, got to do with it?

Join Brother Marcus and the cast and the crew of the Brother Marcus Show live this Sunday evening on February 1, 2009 @ 8:00 p.m. for another hot topic in our community! “Divorce in America in 2009 ...more
Brother Marcus! • 73,324,062 Views • January 27th, 2009
VISINE ALERT!!!

VISINE ALERT!!!

Seemingly innocent medication such as Visine eyedrops are used by people to concoct a mixture with similar effects as a date-rape drug. When mixed with alcohol and taken orally, the eyedrops can l ...more
Siebra Muhammad • 122,234 Views • May 23rd, 2009

"Chain Hang Low" check out the real meaning of the Lyrics!

Recently there is a new artist out of Saint Louis that goes by the name JIBBS. Jibbs debut single "Chain hang low" has a history that most people are not aware of. The particular nursery rhyme that th ...more
Tyhesha Judge-Fogle • 80,824 Views • November 9th, 2006
HBCU Marketplace Gifts: Divine 9 Premium Fraternity / Sorority Playing Cards

HBCU Marketplace Gifts: Divine 9 Premium Fraternity / Sorority Playing Cards

Vendor: Charles Jones Item Price: $20.00 Price Includes Shipping: Yes - Shipping Included Item Description: Pantheon Series - Divine 9 - Premium Playing Cards (choose Gold Series or Silve ...more
Hija Chang • 64,260 Views • December 2nd, 2018
Black College Student Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Kissing a White Girl

Black College Student Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Kissing a White Girl

Albert N. Wilson, a former University of Kansas student, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison and a lifetime of probation after being convicted by an all-white jury of raping a white teen girl. Bu ...more
Will Moss • 57,131 Views • June 4th, 2020
Please Give Us a Like on Facebook!
Featured Members