No need to hold your breath – the following post doesn’t bear any expert advice. I have no clue how to write a book. No, wait, change that. I have no clue how to write a good book. I do, however, have a certain authority on how to write a few pages without tearing my hair out in despair.

Apart from the most obvious tips like designating writing time, switching off all phones, the TV and the Internet connection (yes, that includes Twitter); the most important advice I want to pass on is to just do it. Just bloody sit down and start typing. Once you’ve started, it shall become easier. Or not, but at least you’ll have started.

During the past months, I came across a couple of helpful bits and pieces that made the journey from wild agglomeration of thoughts and ideas to brilliant piece of fiction with bestseller potential (another top tip: believe in yourself!) much more fun. Time to share:

• Painstakingly tedious but also incredibly helpful: designing and outlining a novel with the Snowflake Method
• Writing emotions using body language or this
• Words, words, words. Take inspiration from Planethalder and make a list of your favourite words and send them through this
• Travelling without moving. Type the address into Google Earth and zoom yourself wherever you want to go. Now paint the picture.
• It’s all in a name. Why not call the aggressive German character in your book Crimilda (meaning: she fights wearing a helmet)
• Expert advice on synopsis, agents and publishers: BubbleCow
• Feeling alone? There are more people like you out there: Life In A Pink Fibro, Returning Scot or Deer Baby to name just a few

More to share? Feel free to add to the list!