Write a Novel in 4 Weeks

👋 Need a deadline push? Mark Morris once wrote an 80,000-word Spartacus novel in 4 weeks after another author dropped out. He'd never seen the show or studied ancient Rome. Next time your boss says "ASAP," remember this guy.

In this edition:

• Writing 1,000 words daily

• When bad editors strike

• Horror's endless possibilities

• 4-week novel challenge

Read time: 2 minutes | 515 words

WRITING 

💀 From Hobby Writer to Horror Success

Remember when writing was just for fun? That's exactly where bestselling horror author Mark Morris started - scribbling stories in notebooks and writing epic-length tales for English class that got him out of homework (smooth move, kid 😎).

The Path to Pro Status 📚

• Started as a hobby writer during university

• Got his first typewriter as a gift from his future wife

• Joined the Enterprise Allowance Scheme to pursue writing full-time

• Sold his first novel during that crucial year

The Big Break That Changed Everything 💫 His massive 250,000-word debut novel "Toadie" landed at Piatkas Publishing after three rejections.

Plot twist: The small publisher loved it so much they acted as his agent, selling paperback rights to Transworld. The result? A bestseller that launched his career.

The Writing Process Exposed 📝

• Aims for 1,000 words daily (though sometimes hits 700-800)

• Creates detailed 30-40 page outlines before starting

• Works "sentence by sentence" rather than rapid drafting

• Constantly rereads and refines as he goes

When Editors Enter the Chat... 🔄 "There's nothing better than having a really good editor," Morris says, though he admits to early resistance. But one editor was so bad, he refused to put his name on the book! The key? Finding middle ground and maintaining healthy publisher relationships.

Genre Love: Why Horror & Sci-Fi? 👻 For Morris, it's all about experiencing the impossible:

• The thrill of never-before-seen monsters

• The possibility of hidden portals

• The hunt for genuine supernatural evidence

• The escape from mundane everyday life

Survival Tips for New Writers 🎯 Morris's advice? Write from the heart, not the trends. "I've fallen into that trap," he admits, trying to chase what's popular. Those books lacked the heart of his passion projects.

The Pressure Test: Can You Write an 80k Word Novel in 4 Weeks? ⚡ When Titan Books needed an emergency Spartacus novel, Morris proved his pro status:

• Binged the entire TV series in one weekend

• Researched ancient Rome on the fly

• Cranked out 3,300 words daily

• Delivered under impossible deadlines

Want more writing wisdom? Remember Morris's golden rules: write daily, keep submitting despite rejections, and don't let one "no" stop you.

Listen to the full audio interview here.

TOGETHER WITH AUTOCRIT

The AutoCrit 90-Day Challenge

• Tuesday, October 1 - Tuesday, December 31, 2024

• Join teams with the goal of finishing an entire book in 90 days!

• Weekly live streams packed with tips and guidance.

• Free to join! No catch! We just hope to motivate you to finish your book.

Learn more or join for FREE right here.

VIDEO 

Join us in this captivating episode as we explore the balancing act between darkness and light in storytelling with insights from renowned horror writers.

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