Here we go then...

W = Writing.  There really could only be one answer to "W".  And it is true the more you write, the better you become.  It also pays to vary the type of writing you do.  I don't believe in writers' block but I DO believe in writers having "off" days when the words simply won't flow as much or as easily as you would like.  We're human after all.  What I have always found is that if, say, a story is not working out right, if I can go on to write something else. such as my blog post for the Association of Christian Writers, then that will be fine.  I am never stuck on ALL writing.  Usually I find as well when working on something else  the solution to my original problem comes to me. 

X = X-Rated.  Definitely not for me but the fiction market covers all kinds and most tastes so there will be something in this department!  The same rules apply to this kind of fiction too.  You still need fully rounded characters.  You still need a plot.  You still need to know who your readers are likely to be and to be able to reach them.

Y =  Young Adult.  There are many fine novels in this category and many are read by adults of all ages (and why not?).   I would say my From Light to Dark and Back Again  could be read by this group. Yes, there are many YA novels that deal with issues but there are plenty that are straight entertainment and cover practically every genre.

Z = Zero Heroes.  Am I cheating here?  Maybe!  What I mean by Zero Heroes are those stories (of all lengths) where the hero isn't particularly likeable but is by far better than any of the other characters and you root for them to do well.  Sometimes a quest can be the making of them and they turn out to have hidden depths. 

T = Theme.  I sometimes write with a deliberate theme in mind.  For other stories, the theme emerges from the characters and plot.  If you are looking for ways to come up with suitable themes, have a look at the old proverbs and sayings.  These are usually one-liners and can be a great source of story ideas as you work out how to use the theme contained in them. 

U = Using Your Characters.  Okay, at the other end of the alphabet, it starts to become more tricky to work out a suitable caption!  I would say Using Your Characters is to be avoided.  Each and every one of your "people" should have a definite reason for being in your story and if it isn't strong enough, cut them out.  Sometimes combining two weak characters into one can create a stronger person, who you can justify keeping in the story.  So your characters then aren't there to be used.  They are there to drive your story and if they're not doing that, out they go!

V = Vital Information.  Yes, I could have gone for verbs (!) but I don't really want to write a grammatical post.  Vital Information is anything your readers need to know to make sense of your story but that doesn't mean you should give it to them "wholesale".  Drip feed information otherwise blocks of text will just switch your readers off.  Don't necessarily spell everything out.  Give your readers enough information so they can work things out.  It gets them more involved in your story and that can only be a good thing.

And now for a few days to work out what I'm going to write about for X and Z when I get to them!

R = Reading.  Couldn't really be anything else really.  All writers need readers.  Readers don't just happen.  They usually have developed a life long love of reading from childhood.  And we need to read - to inspire us, encourage us and to work out what we'd like to write (and sometimes what we don't!).  You learn about punctuation, layout, grammar etc by reading and absorbing what other writers have done before you.  Also we need to immerse ourselves in the fictional world (where exactly depends on our tastes) so we can learn from the genre we aspire to write in.  We need to show we know the rules and that we love reading and stories.  We can't really expect our future readers to do this if we're not doing it!

S = Short Story (including flash fiction)  I'm glad the short story (and flash fiction) is making a comeback.  There has always been room for the short story alongside the longer works and I wish more publishers would take a chance on short story writers.  Glad to see (in the UK at least) the number of suitable competitions is increasing.  Also glad to see flash fiction taking off as a category.  The advent of mobile phones and the Kindle has made reading in public (a) acceptable and (b) easier to do!  So many short story writers went on to become public knowledge.

O = Originality.  I suppose if there is a Holy Grail in writing, originality is it.  What is really meant is that the publishers want your unique voice.  They want to be able to fit your book into a slot where they know they can sell it but the story has to be told in such a way only you could do it.  If your theme isn't original (and it is nigh on impossible to find one that hasn't been used before!), then the way in which you tell the story should be.  What is unique about you that can come through via your characters and plot?

P = Publication.  Including self-publication here.  One good development over recent years has been the realisation authors have to work in co-operation with their publishers so there is more of a team effort.  Authors get to speak to their readers more since we  have to engage with others.  And there has been a massive impact with online publishing,  which is a great way of building up your writing CV.

Q = Queries.  Ensure everything about your story makes sense.  You want to leave your reader with the sense they've had a good read.  What you don't want is for your tale to throw up so many queries, it distracts from reading.  Make sure that all that needs to be resolved are resolved.

L = Literacy.  Absolutely crucial for all writers, not just for ourselves but for future readers.  It is in our own interests then to support literacy campaigns and the library services.  After all our own love of stories comes from being read to and then  learning to read for ourselves.

M = Memory.  Never rely on just your own memory.  Back up with research.  (It will also widen what you can write about.  Write about what you know is good advice but add to that the thought about expanding what you know and your range increases!). 

N = Notebooks.  No writer can have too many of these.  I use mine to brainstorm ideas.  I also had some notebooks made up with the front cover of From Light to Dark and Back Again on them and used them as prizes in my cyberlaunch.  Did not cost too much.  Went down very well.

I = Imagination.  No story, of whatever length, would have its vital spark, bringing it to life, without a liberal dose of imagination.  It can apply to non-fiction too.  The way you bring facts to life should be thought out with imagination, as well as practicality.  Those facts will lodge in minds far better if presented in a well thought out and entertaining way.  Best of all imagination, and using it in fiction or non-fiction, should be fun!

J = Joking.  Do you have a character who is the joker of the pack?  If so establish the fact they are like this early on.  Are they a joker to cover up huge sadness (in many ways the "standard" reason but a very valid one nonetheless)?  Do the other characters find the joker irritating or are they almost therapeutic to the others?  Think about why your characters are the way they are.  You'll write about them/for them more convincingly if you really know where they are coming from and why.

K = Kindle.  I love the Kindle.  I love "proper" books too.  I don't see the Kindle as a threat, merely as another format (and I hope a way of reaching those who may be put off by the traditional image of books and bookshops).  Certainly it is worth having your books out in electronic and paperback at the very least.   You will reach more people for one thing.  Especially as we come into summer time, people will want plenty of downloads for their Kindle.  Why shouldn't your book be one of those?  (Mine too come to that!).