I’ve always been a big fan of the concept of combination creativity. The ability to have several creative endeavours on the go at once, working on each project a little every day, challenging myself to think outside the square. Writing in different genres transfers insights and ideas into all creative endeavours, allowing many ways of seeing the one idea.
Spend time developing the backstory of your characters. Your character’s backstory matters just as much as your plot. Even if you never use half of what you’ve found out about your characters, their history will inform the way they act and react in every situation.
It’s all in the detail. If you want to give your book a depth that will cause readers to empathise with the character, put in the kind of detail that compels your scenes to come alive in the imagination. We have to feel some sort of empathy with the protagonist for the book to be read and understanding what makes them tick and sharing that with your readers is essential.
Along the way make sure you talk with other creatives. Fifty years ago, communities/tribes would sit around sewing, crafting, writing or making or repairing things collectively and as they did, they talked and exchanged ideas and solved individual and group problems. This was an organic way of collaborating as a group, sharing wisdom, ideas and knowledge. It also gave people an environment where they could share their stories and be heard.
If you haven’t found your tribe yet, I encourage you to try some groups out. Join your local writer’s or artist’s group. Finding your tribe is like speed dating, except everyone you talk to is a perfect fit.