Advice to new writers

Writers reaching stage two of the Hookline Novel Competition are busy editing their work. What follows is advice we would like to give them and other new writers:

1. It is not about you - the reader is the most important party in the relationship. You write a novel for others, it is not a personal indulgence (although celebrities who turn to writing fiction may disagree).

2. Plot and pace - writing a few chapters is easy compared to spanning the thread of a story through time and place. Ask objective friends to read it and listen to their advice.

3. It is your job to engage the reader - 30 pages is the minimum I ask of our volunteer readers. If a novel doesn't grab them by then, they can justifiably close the book. Don't say, 'They should have stayed with it - the plot improves!' The text is entirely in your hands - use it well.

4. Speling, spellang - Spelling! Nothing turns readers off more than bad spelling.