John Dean – Crime Writer

As I move into the second half of writing a novel – as has happened with my latest in the Jack Harris series – my mindset changes. Up to now, I have worked steadily – some would say slowly – writing, rewriting, editing, re-editing – but now that I am 27,000 words in, or 23,000 from the end, I release the brake and write faster, not worrying about the editing but getting on with it – I will go back on everything later. The important thing now for me as a writer is to get the first draft finished. Different writers work in different ways and I know some who rush through the first draft and only then will they go back. There is no right or wrong way to do it – it’s all about what works for the author.

You can find plenty more of this kind of free advice in my various Handy Hints sections