Advice For New Writers

by Davidson King

While I still sort of consider myself new, I also feel sometimes I’ve been doing this for ages. In the almost two years of publishing I’ve learned more than I have in many lessons at school. So I do have some advice for new authors who are just started out.

READ. I think this is my biggest recommendation. I wouldn’t have wanted to write so much if I didn’t read so much. I also wouldn’t have learned as much either.

NEVER SKIMP ON EDITING. Grammarly isn’t your editor. I see this a lot on social media and from new writers. They say they use Grammarly and use a proofreader. Please don’t do that. I know editing isn’t cheap but remember for so many people out there, they don’t know who you are and will only judge you by your writing. Make sure what they are reading is the best you can be.

RESEARCH. A great way to alienate yourself from people is to not research. Give something, someone, a group of someone’s, or anything really, the respect of understanding them and knowing the facts. I promise you someone will call you out on it if you’re wrong. There are so many resources and people out there to help there’s no excuse not to research.

WRITE YOUR STORY. You can get swayed by what other people tell you to write or how to turn your story arc their way. Don’t. You don’t plant a sunflower seed and decide halfway you want it to be a tulip and change it do you? Because you really can’t. Your story is in there and it won’t ever feel like your own if you don’t follow through with what you wanted.

PROMOTE. Be visible. Your readers matter so much and they are SO COOL! Seriously, I’ve met so many amazing people just my interacting with them. Do tours, events, whatever you can. Sometimes they will be a success and sometimes they will flop but they are necessary. More new writers are born every day and we are flooded with new books. Be bold and get out there.

Okay, I think that’s enough advice from me. Good luck out there.

About Triple Threat

Lee, Jones, and Ginger deal with dangerous situations and mounting stress daily working for the most powerful assassin organization in the world. All of those things seem like a walk in the park compared to the friction that sparks between them. When all three are assigned to the same job, ignoring the heat from the inferno of desire becomes impossible.

Lee is a master at deciphering codes, skilled in hacking complicated systems, and never misses a target, even from over fifty miles away. His feelings for Jones and Ginger, however, may be the first code he’s unable to crack.

Jones deals in absolutes, but the road to his past is paved with bodies and regrets. Getting Lee to acknowledge the pull they both feel toward Ginger may be the hardest mission he’s ever had to face. 

Ginger struggles to cope with the overwhelming guilt that accompanies this new job. Falling for these hired killers will be a risk—one that could wind up with him losing in the end or gaining everything he’s ever wanted.

As the three work together to take down a human trafficking ring—and save a desperate soul—time is of the essence. Their lives are on the line as mysteries unfold and unexpected encounters throw them off course. Will Lee, Jones, and Ginger let doubts come between them, distracting them from their mission and blocking any hope of love? Or can they face the toughest challenge of their lives and become…a triple threat?

Available at: Amazon

An Excerpt from Triple Threat

With Lee and Jones busy, I popped my earbuds in, hit play on my Spotify, and drowned in the sounds of Pat Benatar. I loved the ‘80s, some of the ‘90s, but damn the ‘80s had amazing music. As with every time I listened to my music, I started swaying in my seat. I closed my eyes, let my hands tap, my feet slide, and that chorus in “We Belong”… it possessed me, and I couldn’t help myself but to sing. I sang softly as to not disturb Lee and Jones.

“What the absolute fuck!” The sound of Jones’ voice broke through. I opened my eyes and pulled my buds out. The van had stopped and now Lee was standing, staring at me, too.

“Hey,” I said meekly. “What’s up?”

“You scared the crap out of me,” Jones said, and Lee nodded in agreement.

“How?”

“One second it’s all quiet, then it’s like opera cats or something,” Lee answered, and this time Jones agreed.

“Wow, that’s harsh.” I drew my legs up to my chest, hearing the faint sounds of Tiffany singing that she thinks we’re alone now.

“Just warn us when you’re going to break out into song is all,” Lee grumbled, and then got back into the driver’s seat. I slipped the earbuds back in.

A tap on my leg had me pulling out my earbuds again.

“You listen to all ‘80s or you got some not shitty crap in there?” Jones asked, and I gripped my phone like he just shit on my dreams.

“Nothing of what I have is shit!”

Lee started to laugh as he pulled back onto the road and Jones had a huge grin. It was a change I hadn’t really seen in a while. Those two actually enjoying each other. I knew there was history there, everyone did.

If they wanted to be that way, okay. “Just for that,” I said as I put the phone on speaker and hit play. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts started singing about loving rock and roll, and because they love it so much, I sang with them.

Jones’ eyes widened and Lee once again pulled to the side of the road and turned in his seat. Seemed I was entertainment. I knew I didn’t have the best voice, but I had rendered these two dangerous men speechless. I was loving the power, the control.

Feeling daring, I inched over to Jones who looked positively terrified, and began drumming on his legs.

“Sweet Jesus,” Lee said and laughed so loudly I lost track of my words and watched him. Tears ran down his face, and he had his arms wrapped around his middle. It was a contagious laugh, and suddenly the three of us were in hysterics.

About Davidson King

Davidson King, always had a hope that someday her daydreams would become real-life stories. As a child, you would often find her in her own world, thinking up the most insane situations. It may have taken her awhile, but she made her dream come true with her first published work, Snow Falling.

When she’s not writing you can find her blogging away on Diverse Reader, her review and promotional site. She managed to wrangle herself a husband who matched her crazy and they hatched three wonderful children.

If you were to ask her what gave her the courage to finally publish, she’d tell you it was her amazing family and friends. Support is vital in all things and when you’re afraid of your dreams, it will be your cheering section that will lift you up.

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As part of this blog tour, Davidson is giving away a $10 Amazon GC from Davidson King!! To enter, just click the link below!

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Please be aware that the only way to enter the giveaway is to click the Rafflecopter link above. Any comments on this post will not count towards entering the giveaway unless otherwise stated but are still welcome anyway.

Don’t forget to check out Nikyta’s review of Triple Threat to see what she thought of it!

Good luck!