Writing Advice (and how it sounds when I can't collect my thoughts)
A question I get asked on a somewhat regular basis is if "What's the best advice you have for new writers?" Oh help us all! How is a question like that supposed to be answered? My urge is to cram as much advice as I can think of into about sixty seconds and that generally looks discombobulated and somewhat nonsensical like this:
My recommendation is if you want to be a writer you need to read a whole lot because when you read you get to learn. Not only should you read books about the writing craft, but you should read blogs about the writing craft. You should maybe find a writing group to join. Also, you should read a lot of books because when you read a lot of books it helps you to learn how to do character arches and to foreshadow and all that kind of stuff. You learn to do descriptions, you learn what you do like and what you don't like and then you can incorporate that into your own writing... Although obviously don't steal from other writers.
I also think it's really important to read reviews for other books so you can see what writers like and what they don't like. Um, I also really recommend to, um, write a lot of reviews yourself because that helps you to think through what you do and don't like about the books you've read. It also helps other writers.
If you want to be a writer you need to write. Um, I know that sounds silly, but, when you write it really helps you to get better. Consistently write and that really helps. Um, just really dig into it and go all for it. Yeah.
That ^ my friends, is a literal word-for-word dictation of 60 seconds of me trying to give writing advice.
What I really mean to say looks more like this:
If you want to be a writer I highly recommend you read a lot. There are many benefits to reading, including learning the way to craft a story and annoying habits you'll want to avoid in your own writings. Reading books (and blogs) about the craft of writing is very important, as well as reading books that are in the same genre you write.
It's also important to get in the habit of writing often, even if it's only for a few minutes at a time. No matter how much you study how to write, you're not a writer unless you actually write.
In addition to reading and writing, finding a good support group can be extremely helpful. I'm part of an online writing group and have been incredibly encouraged and supported by the other members.
One last thing is rather difficult, but fundamental: If you're wanting to pursue publication you're going to need to be extremely open to a lot of critiques, some of which will hurt. It's hard not to get defensive when someone's tearing your precious book apart, but a lot of times it actually helps make the book better. So, pretty much you need to be extremely passionate and willing to leap out of your comfort zone and keep going even when the going gets tough.
Only, I've yet to figure out how to make my words flow smoothly when I'm talking. That's one of the reasons I've been working on reading out loud this year. So often my words get jumbled up and I seriously miss saying words, or even full sentences, out loud because my brain is like "hurry child!" which isn't always good advice.
What about you? Do you find it easier to express your thoughts when you're writing or talking?
* * *
The destination for our Around The World in Fifty-Two Weeks post for this week is: Chad!
My recommendation is if you want to be a writer you need to read a whole lot because when you read you get to learn. Not only should you read books about the writing craft, but you should read blogs about the writing craft. You should maybe find a writing group to join. Also, you should read a lot of books because when you read a lot of books it helps you to learn how to do character arches and to foreshadow and all that kind of stuff. You learn to do descriptions, you learn what you do like and what you don't like and then you can incorporate that into your own writing... Although obviously don't steal from other writers.
I also think it's really important to read reviews for other books so you can see what writers like and what they don't like. Um, I also really recommend to, um, write a lot of reviews yourself because that helps you to think through what you do and don't like about the books you've read. It also helps other writers.
If you want to be a writer you need to write. Um, I know that sounds silly, but, when you write it really helps you to get better. Consistently write and that really helps. Um, just really dig into it and go all for it. Yeah.
That ^ my friends, is a literal word-for-word dictation of 60 seconds of me trying to give writing advice.
What I really mean to say looks more like this:
If you want to be a writer I highly recommend you read a lot. There are many benefits to reading, including learning the way to craft a story and annoying habits you'll want to avoid in your own writings. Reading books (and blogs) about the craft of writing is very important, as well as reading books that are in the same genre you write.
It's also important to get in the habit of writing often, even if it's only for a few minutes at a time. No matter how much you study how to write, you're not a writer unless you actually write.
In addition to reading and writing, finding a good support group can be extremely helpful. I'm part of an online writing group and have been incredibly encouraged and supported by the other members.
One last thing is rather difficult, but fundamental: If you're wanting to pursue publication you're going to need to be extremely open to a lot of critiques, some of which will hurt. It's hard not to get defensive when someone's tearing your precious book apart, but a lot of times it actually helps make the book better. So, pretty much you need to be extremely passionate and willing to leap out of your comfort zone and keep going even when the going gets tough.
Only, I've yet to figure out how to make my words flow smoothly when I'm talking. That's one of the reasons I've been working on reading out loud this year. So often my words get jumbled up and I seriously miss saying words, or even full sentences, out loud because my brain is like "hurry child!" which isn't always good advice.
What about you? Do you find it easier to express your thoughts when you're writing or talking?
* * *
The destination for our Around The World in Fifty-Two Weeks post for this week is: Chad!
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