Playing The Advice Game . . .

A Certain Woman from Kansas… What Good Is Language?

Playing The Advice Game . . .

Yesterday, I featured a post from Jane Friedman about determining if you're wasting your time trying to get published.

I also posted a teaser on Google Plus and used a link to her name that alerted her to the post.

She showed up here and commented :-)

I'd indicated that I was a bit ambiguous about her position concerning traditional versus self-publishing and she said I should feel ambiguous…

She then wrote another blog post called I Am Always Sincere, But Never Serious; and, though I can't be sure, I felt the new post was speaking to that sense of ambiguity.

Here's one snippet from the most recent post:

"…the truth about writing advice is that it's only helpful if you're the kind of writer who benefits from it. Not all writers do (or can). Plus there are always exceptions to each piece of advice."

That is the "ambiguous" truth of the advice game.

I read Jane with avidity. I take what she says and measure it against what I know, and can surmise, about my particular situation; then, I work to apply what continues to stick. I do this with all the writerly advice I explore.

Do read her post and roll around in the sweet ambiguity :-)

And for those who never click through links on blog posts, here's a great take-away from Jane:

"Every once in a while I like to remind people: Know that I'm sincere, but never serious. Forge your own path; write your own rules."

What's your take on writing advice?

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