Jason R. Richter
The secret to writing is [pause for thunder on the soundtrack] -- writing. Write everyday. Your minimum daily goal is 1,000 words, rain or shine, whether you have something to say or not.
Read outside the genre that you're writing in. Read your genre, of course. If you support other writers in your genre, they should support you. However, if all you read is Douglas Adams, your writing is going to sound like a cheap Douglas Adams rip-off.
Don't worry too much about genres, getting an agent, getting a "web presence" until you have a completed manuscript.
Stop saying, "I want to become a writer." If you put words on a page you ARE a writer. You may not be a paid writer or a famous writer or a best selling writer, but you are a writer.
And, the biggest thing after developing a daily writing habit, find a good writing critique group. By good I mean, they shouldn't all unanimously love or hate what you write. They should be able to give you constructive criticism that will make your writing better. If you want nothing but praise, give it to your mother and she'll put your story on the fridge. You want hate, the internet is full of trolls that will happily oblige.
Oh, and stop using adverbs. Even intermittently.
Read outside the genre that you're writing in. Read your genre, of course. If you support other writers in your genre, they should support you. However, if all you read is Douglas Adams, your writing is going to sound like a cheap Douglas Adams rip-off.
Don't worry too much about genres, getting an agent, getting a "web presence" until you have a completed manuscript.
Stop saying, "I want to become a writer." If you put words on a page you ARE a writer. You may not be a paid writer or a famous writer or a best selling writer, but you are a writer.
And, the biggest thing after developing a daily writing habit, find a good writing critique group. By good I mean, they shouldn't all unanimously love or hate what you write. They should be able to give you constructive criticism that will make your writing better. If you want nothing but praise, give it to your mother and she'll put your story on the fridge. You want hate, the internet is full of trolls that will happily oblige.
Oh, and stop using adverbs. Even intermittently.
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Aug 28, 2014 10:33AM · flag
Aug 28, 2014 11:44AM · flag