Writing advice

I've been asked in a couple of interviews lately what advice I'd give to other writers. It's a fine question, but I always come up empty. Every time I sign onto Facebook or Twitter there's all kinds of writing advice from other folks, but I got nothing. I ignore all that shit along with the voting advice and outrage-of-the-week posts.

Of course, I listen to everything my agent and editors say, but taking general advice from somebody who doesn't know what you're doing, who has never even seen what you're working on, man, that sounds like a real good way to salt the creative well. Do what works for you is about the only advice I can think of worth giving.

So, anyway, here's what I'm answering anyone who asks that question from here on out. And it's real easy.

Go ask Jonathan Franzen.

He's obviously got lots of advice to give. And he's doing pretty well for himself.