Michael R. Hicks
For an aspiring writer, my advice might be summed up in a paraphrase of Tour de France winner Eddy Merckx, who when asked by a reporter what advice he would give to aspiring cyclists, he answered, "Ride lots." In the case of writing, it would be, "Write lots."
There is, of course, a great deal more to it than that, but that's where it begins. I don't know how many times I've been asked by folks who want to write the next Great American Novel, "Where do I begin? How do I do this?"
My answer is always the same: sit your butt down and start writing. If you're a "plotter," map out the story, then start writing. If you're a "pantser" (as I am), then dispense with the outline and just get to it. Procrastination probably kills more potentially great stories than anything else.
Beyond that, work hard to improve your craft. Find a few folks who are avid readers and know their way around grammar and plot continuity, and are happy to critique your work. And by critique, I mean tear to pieces without mercy, coating your precious manuscript with gallons of red ink. And by happy, I mean that they don't hold back: if something is wrong, they gleefully fire torpedoes at your story. The last thing you want are people who are afraid to hurt your feelings.
And YOU must be tough enough to take that pounding, to learn to love the red ink. You don't necessarily have to accept all the changes they suggest, but you have to be honest with yourself about whether a given change really doesn't work, or if your ego is getting in the way. This is often very, very hard for people, but it's absolutely vital if you plan to be successful as an author.
Why do you want these horrible, awful people tearing apart your precious story? Because that's how you will improve, and that's how your story will go from a stinking mess to something really worth reading. Keep in mind, that if you can't handle criticism from your editors, how do you think you're going to fare when readers start firing one-star reviews at you? Readers can be far more brutal than editors.
So, what are you waiting for? Sit your butt down and start writing!
There is, of course, a great deal more to it than that, but that's where it begins. I don't know how many times I've been asked by folks who want to write the next Great American Novel, "Where do I begin? How do I do this?"
My answer is always the same: sit your butt down and start writing. If you're a "plotter," map out the story, then start writing. If you're a "pantser" (as I am), then dispense with the outline and just get to it. Procrastination probably kills more potentially great stories than anything else.
Beyond that, work hard to improve your craft. Find a few folks who are avid readers and know their way around grammar and plot continuity, and are happy to critique your work. And by critique, I mean tear to pieces without mercy, coating your precious manuscript with gallons of red ink. And by happy, I mean that they don't hold back: if something is wrong, they gleefully fire torpedoes at your story. The last thing you want are people who are afraid to hurt your feelings.
And YOU must be tough enough to take that pounding, to learn to love the red ink. You don't necessarily have to accept all the changes they suggest, but you have to be honest with yourself about whether a given change really doesn't work, or if your ego is getting in the way. This is often very, very hard for people, but it's absolutely vital if you plan to be successful as an author.
Why do you want these horrible, awful people tearing apart your precious story? Because that's how you will improve, and that's how your story will go from a stinking mess to something really worth reading. Keep in mind, that if you can't handle criticism from your editors, how do you think you're going to fare when readers start firing one-star reviews at you? Readers can be far more brutal than editors.
So, what are you waiting for? Sit your butt down and start writing!
More Answered Questions
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asked
Michael R. Hicks:
So on WattPad you said that you were moving Red Legion to your website for those of us who were following along. But the address you gave doesn't seem to work. Yes, I know I'm behind but life seems to do that sometimes. Can you give me the address so I can get caught up?
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