Guest Blogger Keri Mikulski: Pass It On

Please welcome guest blogger Keri Mikulski to Lit Rambles. Keri is the author of the Screwball Series (Screwball and Change Up), and the Pretty Tough Series (coming Winter 2011 from Razorbill).

Not only is she here today with an awesome guest post, but she's giving everyone a chance to check out sporty lit by offering Change Up for free on her website. How cool is that?! Let's show Keri how much we appreciate her awesomeness, shall we? If you haven't already, please considering buying a copy of Screwball as you head over to Keri's website to download the sequel.

Pass It On

Thanks so much for having me, Casey! Your blog is amazing and such a valuable resource for writers.

Like a pass in soccer, basketball, field hockey, lacrosse or football, the best passes are the ones that end in a score. And although I still consider myself a complete newbie, below are five things I’ve learned over the course of my writing career either passed on to me by other authors or discovered via the hard way… I hope one (or all) of these tips will result in a scored goal.

1. Find author, writer, and/or blogger buds you trust. Honest friends are so important in this business for comradely, comfort, and counseling.
2. If someone or a business offers to publish your book (even if it seems legit), get an agent and/or a lawyer to represent you first. Always proceed with extreme caution. And if the publisher freaks out or gets defensive because you’ve gained representation, dump them immediately.
3. Trust your gut. If something doesn’t feel right (regardless of what or who it is) it probably isn’t.
4. Read all the time. Both in the genre you want to write for and good craft books and guides. My three recent faves are James N. Frey’s How to Write a Damn Good Novel, Robert McKee’s Story, and Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat. AMAZING guides that were all recommended to me by equally amazing author buds (see number one).
5. But, most importantly – write a ton. Nothing is more valuable than your writing and your work deserves the bulk of your attention everyday. Once you receive ‘The Call’ all the books and/or scenes you were working on previously might get their day to shine.

So, what have you learned since you beginning your writing journey? Please, pass it on.

Keri Mikulski is hard at work on a four-book deal with Penguin/Razorbill for the Pretty Tough Series Books 3 – 6 (Winter 2011). Her previous novels include Screwball and the sequel Change Up. Keri lives at the Jersey Shore (the real one) with her family. Say hello at http://www.kerimikulski.com or visit her blog at http://kerimikulski.blogspot.com.