Hello Lovelies,

we have a guest post today by Jan Domagala, who is celebrating the release of Blackstar Gambit, a Col Sec Thriller. Genre: Science fiction thrilling adventure Synopsis:  The Blackstar Gambit, book 7 in the thrilling Col Sec series will see Kurt Stryder and Zara Hardy face their most challenging threat to date as they are faced with choices that place millions of lives in the balance. From one side of the galaxy to the other they race to find the truth behind an ancient cult that has spawned an evil so deadly it threatens to destroy the entire Confederation starting with planet Earth. Kurt and Zara learn that the good guys don’t always win and that bad things do happen as they stand by helplessly to watch the Blackstar Gambit play out.

Without further ado, let’s turn the time over to Jan!

I was born in Staffordshire to a working-class family, my father worked down the local mines whilst my mother worked in one of the local Pottery manufacturing factories. At school, I discovered the joys of reading. I was a big fan of sci fi books but I would read almost anything I could get my hands on. My mother took me to join the local library as soon as I could read and from that day on, if it had words on it, I’d read it. In the early 70’s there wasn’t much choice where I worked so I ended up in an apprenticeship in screen printing for the ceramic industry. I’m still in the same trade after a forty -year career but my passion is and has always been writing. After several abortive attempts, I started the Col Sec series around seven years ago, it’s an action adventure series set in the twenty fifth century.
Today, I would like to share the Top Five Writing Tips I’ve discovered.​​ 

1. Set a schedule of when to write

There is a train of thought that says that if you pick a time of day to sit down and write it will become a daily routine as common as your morning coffee.There is another thought that says what if you’re not inspired to write at that particular time? Do you write anyway and risk churning out rubbish or wait until you’re truly inspired? In my experience there is no ‘best time’ to write. I can feel inspired at the oddest of times and quite often when I’m away from my laptop. So waiting until I’m inspired doesn’t work for me. On the odd occasions, if I sit to write and nothing comes, I will read instead.The process is different for every writer. You just have to find a method that works for you and once you do, it’s easier to adhere to, it becomes natural.

2. Write; quite simply write what you want

If you have picked a subject, whether it be fiction or not, just write it. Don’t worry about editing or changing stuff mid-flow because that’s the quickest way to stifle your creativity. Let the words tumble out onto the page, you can sort them out into a proper order once you’ve finished and the re-writes and editing begins.

3. Social Media

Don’t be afraid to use this in all its myriad forms. I find this increasingly difficult to comprehend how a platform like Twitter can be of any use for writers. I also authors that swear by it.Each platform has its own merits but the one thing that a lot of writers misunderstand about them is, they are not best used to sell their books, but to connect with readers. The clue is in the name, social. You have to use it to let your readers know that you are a real person, and are approachable. Once that has been achieved then you’ll increase your sales.

4. Marketing is Essential

Marketing is essential to any writer whether they are self-published or are being handled by a publishing house. In the case of the latter and you are published by the big 5, it’s not so much of a worry as the publishing house should have a plan ready to put into action and a team in place to execute it. Whereas, if you are self-publishing it’s something you have to consider very carefully. If you have no experience in this field I suggest you do one of two things; either do the research where you can gain the knowledge required to put a plan into place, or employ someone who has these skills already.

5. Write the Book You Want to Read

If you decide to write a book then write the book you would want to read. Don’t fall into the trap of trying to write for a particular market, that way you will stifle your creativity. Write the book you would read yourself, it may be in a whole new genre, or a cross genre piece that covers many topics, whatever you chose throw yourself into it, body and soul. It won’t be easy but the rewards are beyond your imagination.
There you have it, these are my top five tips writing tips.  I hope they help and I wish anyone who is just starting out on a writing career, the best of luck.​​Want to learn more about Blackstar Gambit?

Until next time, 

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