Tuesday Two Cents on Writing: Hywela Lyn: Tuesday Two Cents

Today we welcome Hywela Lyn, author of "out of this world romance" to the Two Cents stage. A big "thank you" goes to her for answering the burning question: If you could share one piece of writing advice with new writers, what would it be? Take it away, Hywela!

When I first started writing, I wrote to Anne McCaffrey, who was my ‘idol’ and told her I wanted to write and asking if she had any advice, I didn’t really expect a reply. However, to my delight I received a handwritten postcard from her with a few kind words followed by “Write what you would like to read."

I realized this was actually what I was already doing, but it was nice to have it validated by such a prestigious author, and it’s the same advice I’d pass on to other would-be writers.

What I wish I’d known at the time though, was that writing that first novel is not the most difficult part of being a writer. Once your novel is published and ‘out there’ the really hard part is the ‘promotion’. Not being fortunate enough to have a large marketing budget, I spent far more time than I should on ‘Social Media’, and my blog, trying to get the word out. I felt I had to join every author loop, and every writing site I saw, and that meant my writing time suffered – and I’m not the fastest writer at the best of times. It takes me a long time to get to know my characters and plot out the highs and lows of the adventures that befall them.

I would say to anyone starting out, get that book written, but carve out an allotted time to promote yourself on Facebook, Twitter, and one or two writing groups, but don’t overstretch yourself , and make sure you leave enough time to write the next book. If Tweeting or blogging doesn’t appeal to you, don’t think you absolutely have to do it. Facebook is massive, and frequented by both other authors and potential readers, and does not need to take up a huge amount of time, and for me is worth doing. I would also say a website is a must, even if you’re not yet published.

I still tend to spend too much time updating my ‘profiles’ on various sites and of course one has to interact on sites one belongs to and just ‘chat’ about something other your own books. (People will just ‘switch off’ if all you ever do is promote your own stuff, so you have to be careful, although of course if you have a new release or win a contest or award you can be forgiven for ‘shouting it from the rooftops.’) However I’ve tried to cut out the sites I’m not so interested in and concentrate on the ones I really enjoy being part of.

BIO

Hywela Lyn spent most of her life in Wales, whose beautiful landscapes and wealth of myths and legends inspired her to write. Together with fantasy tales, she weaves romantic Science Fiction adventures set in the future, and on distant, mysterious worlds, with characters who overcome great odds to find deep and enduring love: Stories she hopes will truly take you 'out of this world' and beyond. She writes under her real first two names which reflect her Welsh ancestry.

A keen animal lover, she has 'mare with attitude, called Flying T'pau, a 'feral' stable cat, Dusty, and a rescued terrier, Choccy, who manages to twist her round his little paw. When she is not writing, she can usually be found enjoying the outdoors with the horses and dog - or just eating chocolate!

She is a member of The Romantic Novelists' Association and Chiltern Writers, her local writing group. Lyn loves to hear from readers, who can write to her at Hywelalyn@hywelalyn.co.uk and she will always reply if you leave contact details.To know a reader enjoyed her books and was able to escape for a little while 'out of this world' makes her happier than words can express.