Susan Adrian's Blog, page 7
January 3, 2013
Notes on Writing Advice
I've had a wonderful few weeks since I posted last. Family vacation at Disneyland, Christmas (my very favorite holiday!), and New Year's. I wasn't as productive as during quieter times, but I am working away on a major revision of the WIP, and hopefully it'll be a far better story at the end of all the mess. I hope you had some good "off" time too, and maybe a bit of work thrown in!
The main purpose of this post isn't niceties, though. I need to talk to you about something. Okay, I need to *rant* about something, a little.
With the New Year a lot of people make resolutions to start writing, to write more, to get serious about writing. Yay! We need more good stories. But these new writers or newly serious writers get a lot of advice thrown at them. I've been seeing it popping up lately, all over. Especially from published writers.
I read a blog the other day from a published writer telling readers if they want to be a "real" writer they need to write every day. Sure, they didn't HAVE to. But if they were serious about it...well. This writer made it sound like if you don't write every day, you might as well give up now, because you weren't dedicated enough.
NO. NO NO NO NO NO. Guys, I may have growled at the screen a little.
I've seen so many writers give advice like that over the years. Not "I did this, or I do this, and it works for me." That's useful! But that's not what I see everywhere. I see "If you want to get published, or be successful:"
you should write every day (this is a huge one in the community)you should outline (sure, pantsing is okay for newbies, but not for people with contracts...)you should NOT outlineyou should use Scriveneryou should use Wordyou should write in cafes, like real writers doyou should turn off Internet while you writeyou should let your manuscript sit for (2 weeks, 1 week, a month) after the first draft. Whatever you do, don't touch it before then!you should fast-draft and then reviseyou should revise as you goyou should have 3 (or however many) crit partners for each stageyou shouldn't have crit partners after a certain point, just agent/editoryou should have a certain number of stages in draftingetc., etc. RULES. Not tools, or thoughts, or ideas to consider. RULES. And new writers are going to suck those rules right up and try to do all of them, even though many of them conflict! I know I did. I flailed.
Okay. So my books are not on the shelf yet, so maybe I don't have the authority that a genuine pubbed author has. But I have been doing this for about 12 years. I'm working on my 7th manuscript. And I know a LOT of published authors at this point, have witnessed them go through the process of writing books over and over. And here's what I've learned. Everyone writes differently. And that's OKAY.Not only that, but every BOOK is different. You'll change and develop as a writer. The books will require different tools. Some might need outlining. Some might need fast-drafting. Some might need a zillion revision stages, and some might only need a couple. And your life will change too. For some books you may write every day. Sometimes you can't do that--you may have other circumstances and you may not be able to write on weekends, or on Wednesdays, or for a week when your mother is here.You are still a real writer.
I happen to be writing every day right now, because I found a way that works for me. But for years I didn't write on weekends--weekends were strictly family time, and that was important too. I still finished books, had an agent, went out on sub, wrote more books.
I think there are three absolute "rules" you need to follow to be a real writer. These are the only things we all need to do. And we all DO them, over and over and over, from the 20-published-books author to the ones still in the trenches, at all levels. I learned them a long time ago from Diana Gabaldon, and they're the only true rules I've ever seen. Ready? Here they are:
1. Read.2. Write.3. Don't give up.
That's it. Nothing else matters.
/rant
The main purpose of this post isn't niceties, though. I need to talk to you about something. Okay, I need to *rant* about something, a little.
With the New Year a lot of people make resolutions to start writing, to write more, to get serious about writing. Yay! We need more good stories. But these new writers or newly serious writers get a lot of advice thrown at them. I've been seeing it popping up lately, all over. Especially from published writers.
I read a blog the other day from a published writer telling readers if they want to be a "real" writer they need to write every day. Sure, they didn't HAVE to. But if they were serious about it...well. This writer made it sound like if you don't write every day, you might as well give up now, because you weren't dedicated enough.
NO. NO NO NO NO NO. Guys, I may have growled at the screen a little.
I've seen so many writers give advice like that over the years. Not "I did this, or I do this, and it works for me." That's useful! But that's not what I see everywhere. I see "If you want to get published, or be successful:"
you should write every day (this is a huge one in the community)you should outline (sure, pantsing is okay for newbies, but not for people with contracts...)you should NOT outlineyou should use Scriveneryou should use Wordyou should write in cafes, like real writers doyou should turn off Internet while you writeyou should let your manuscript sit for (2 weeks, 1 week, a month) after the first draft. Whatever you do, don't touch it before then!you should fast-draft and then reviseyou should revise as you goyou should have 3 (or however many) crit partners for each stageyou shouldn't have crit partners after a certain point, just agent/editoryou should have a certain number of stages in draftingetc., etc. RULES. Not tools, or thoughts, or ideas to consider. RULES. And new writers are going to suck those rules right up and try to do all of them, even though many of them conflict! I know I did. I flailed.
Okay. So my books are not on the shelf yet, so maybe I don't have the authority that a genuine pubbed author has. But I have been doing this for about 12 years. I'm working on my 7th manuscript. And I know a LOT of published authors at this point, have witnessed them go through the process of writing books over and over. And here's what I've learned. Everyone writes differently. And that's OKAY.Not only that, but every BOOK is different. You'll change and develop as a writer. The books will require different tools. Some might need outlining. Some might need fast-drafting. Some might need a zillion revision stages, and some might only need a couple. And your life will change too. For some books you may write every day. Sometimes you can't do that--you may have other circumstances and you may not be able to write on weekends, or on Wednesdays, or for a week when your mother is here.You are still a real writer.
I happen to be writing every day right now, because I found a way that works for me. But for years I didn't write on weekends--weekends were strictly family time, and that was important too. I still finished books, had an agent, went out on sub, wrote more books.
I think there are three absolute "rules" you need to follow to be a real writer. These are the only things we all need to do. And we all DO them, over and over and over, from the 20-published-books author to the ones still in the trenches, at all levels. I learned them a long time ago from Diana Gabaldon, and they're the only true rules I've ever seen. Ready? Here they are:
1. Read.2. Write.3. Don't give up.
That's it. Nothing else matters.
/rant
November 14, 2012
Ketchup (no, no. Catch-up)
Yes, once a month is a PERFECTLY reasonable blogging schedule. Why do you ask?
(If you ever want to know what I'm up to, by the way, I'm on twitter all blooming day, many days, chattering like a maniac.)
Anyway. Much has gone on since I last typed in this box:
--TWO trips to Oregon. The first was for the fabulous second annual KT Literary retreat (see pics here!), which was my first time meeting other lovely KT clients. You guys: they all rock. It was a small sampling, but I can't wait to meet more. It was a bit rainy in Portland (shock), but we got in lots of wandering and book-browsing and chatting and eating yummies.
--The second was last weekend, a work-ish trip to go see our football team play their last regular game of the season. We'd won 8 in a row, practically unheard of for our team, so we were hoping to finish it out strong and celebrate in the other team's stadium. Not so much...we got crushed. *sigh* Still was mildly fun. And we're still in the playoffs, starting this weekend!
--I finished a book.
*secret smile*
Okay, not REALLY. I finished a DRAFT of a book, an extremely short, extraordinarily rough draft. But still, it's all in one piece so I can attack it and make it better now. Starting today! I meant to dive right in the next day, but the last trip intervened, and today's the first day I can. So I WILL. *looks at draft* *is only a little scared, mostly excited* *and scared* *a little*
Hope all is well with you, lovely peoples. Are you ready for Thanksgiving? Christmas?
Hahahahahahahahaha. Yeah. Me either.
(If you ever want to know what I'm up to, by the way, I'm on twitter all blooming day, many days, chattering like a maniac.)
Anyway. Much has gone on since I last typed in this box:
--TWO trips to Oregon. The first was for the fabulous second annual KT Literary retreat (see pics here!), which was my first time meeting other lovely KT clients. You guys: they all rock. It was a small sampling, but I can't wait to meet more. It was a bit rainy in Portland (shock), but we got in lots of wandering and book-browsing and chatting and eating yummies.
--The second was last weekend, a work-ish trip to go see our football team play their last regular game of the season. We'd won 8 in a row, practically unheard of for our team, so we were hoping to finish it out strong and celebrate in the other team's stadium. Not so much...we got crushed. *sigh* Still was mildly fun. And we're still in the playoffs, starting this weekend!
--I finished a book.
*secret smile*
Okay, not REALLY. I finished a DRAFT of a book, an extremely short, extraordinarily rough draft. But still, it's all in one piece so I can attack it and make it better now. Starting today! I meant to dive right in the next day, but the last trip intervened, and today's the first day I can. So I WILL. *looks at draft* *is only a little scared, mostly excited* *and scared* *a little*
Hope all is well with you, lovely peoples. Are you ready for Thanksgiving? Christmas?
Hahahahahahahahaha. Yeah. Me either.
October 10, 2012
Gallivanting
I'm resting a little bit this week. Well-deserved, I think, after three consecutive 3-day weekend trips to Billings, then LA/Del Mar, then Denver. I love trips and exploring, but WHEW.
Of course "resting" includes catching up on piles of work, piles of laundry, and piles of dishes. But hey, it's familiar. Comforting. :)
I am such an INFT/J.
Anyway, I did have some great trips. I saw a concert at the Hollywood Bowl with husband! Saw his childhood home, and schools (he kept saying "they're so small"). Went to the amazing Emily Hainsworth's book launch! Saw a play of THE GIVER with an old friend!
AND I met my wonderful agent, Kate Schafer Testerman. She's bouncy and smart and funny and though I knew it before, the visit absolutely confirmed I'm in excellent hands.
Proof!
We went out for crepes, YUM. Though next time I am totally getting the Crepe Suzette.
I also learned a few things about myself on this solo trip:
I talk back to the GPS. Often. Not even swearing, but conversationally.
When I'm alone in a hotel room, I only turn on the TV as a last resort. I wrote over 3k on New Book (yay) and read a ton: TEN by Gretchen McNeil (spooky), REAL MERMAIDS DON'T WEAR TOE RINGS by Helene Boudreau (fun), and the one that's currently sucked me into its world wholeheartedly, CROWN OF EMBERS by Rae Carson. I love my Kindle, though I guess that's not news.
I thought I was good at packing, but apparently NOT. I realized five minutes into the first flight that I'd totally forgotten to pack the dress pants I needed for the next day, so I had to go buy some. And I didn't pack any casual clothes to hang around and write in on Sunday. Urgh.
I also apparently suck at taking pics of myself! The above picture Kate took is the only evidence of the trip at all--I didn't take one pic with Emily. At least I'm not one of those many people constantly walking around with my nose stuck in my phone.
No, my nose is stuck in my Kindle. :)So I have a couple weeks at home (with major work/life events) before I head out again on another solo trip, this time to Portland at the end of October. I'm already making my list of things to improve. Pack better, take pictures...but I think that reading and writing part can stay the same.
*~*~
Of course "resting" includes catching up on piles of work, piles of laundry, and piles of dishes. But hey, it's familiar. Comforting. :)
I am such an INFT/J.
Anyway, I did have some great trips. I saw a concert at the Hollywood Bowl with husband! Saw his childhood home, and schools (he kept saying "they're so small"). Went to the amazing Emily Hainsworth's book launch! Saw a play of THE GIVER with an old friend!
AND I met my wonderful agent, Kate Schafer Testerman. She's bouncy and smart and funny and though I knew it before, the visit absolutely confirmed I'm in excellent hands.
Proof!
We went out for crepes, YUM. Though next time I am totally getting the Crepe Suzette.
I also learned a few things about myself on this solo trip:
I talk back to the GPS. Often. Not even swearing, but conversationally.
When I'm alone in a hotel room, I only turn on the TV as a last resort. I wrote over 3k on New Book (yay) and read a ton: TEN by Gretchen McNeil (spooky), REAL MERMAIDS DON'T WEAR TOE RINGS by Helene Boudreau (fun), and the one that's currently sucked me into its world wholeheartedly, CROWN OF EMBERS by Rae Carson. I love my Kindle, though I guess that's not news.
I thought I was good at packing, but apparently NOT. I realized five minutes into the first flight that I'd totally forgotten to pack the dress pants I needed for the next day, so I had to go buy some. And I didn't pack any casual clothes to hang around and write in on Sunday. Urgh.
I also apparently suck at taking pics of myself! The above picture Kate took is the only evidence of the trip at all--I didn't take one pic with Emily. At least I'm not one of those many people constantly walking around with my nose stuck in my phone.
No, my nose is stuck in my Kindle. :)So I have a couple weeks at home (with major work/life events) before I head out again on another solo trip, this time to Portland at the end of October. I'm already making my list of things to improve. Pack better, take pictures...but I think that reading and writing part can stay the same.
*~*~
