Writing advice

[righter1]

We get writing advice everywhere... critique groups, here on CW, books we read and magazines too. My question is this:

What is the best one piece of writing advice you've ever received?
Who gave you this advice or where did you read it?
Why is this so important to you?

Probably, for me, the best writing advice I've received is: Write What You Know.

Everybody I've read says this--books, Writers Digest, people in my critique groups.

The reason it's so important to me is because this was the foundation of what got me started writing. I knew mystery books, and little else. So, I started writing mysteries. And, I love doing it. I can't imagine writing a different genre of books that didn't at least have some minor mystery in it.

So, please share a bit!

[mel3]

Mine was....

When you recieve advice, dont argue back! Ha ha!

[whitehawke]

I can't narrow it down to just one piece of advice I've been given so I'll tell of 2 or 3 pieces. lol

Look at every scene and ask yourself "Why is this in here? Does it carry the story forward or is it just in here because I enjoyed writing it?"

Don't edit the first draft until after you've written the whole story. First drafts are always ugly and if you edit as you write it, you may never finish the book.

Writing a book is more than sitting down at the keyboard...it is dreaming and planning and it is about having fun getting to know the characters.

lol. I could go on for ages, but you only asked for one. Oh, and write because you love to write and write what you love to read.

[ProfessorAlan]

I liked the advice in John Braine's book on writing, where he encourages outlining a novel AFTER the completion of the first draft.

[Tarin]

One piece of advice? That's tough...

I guess I'd have to say that the thing I fall back on the most is "There are no rules that cannot be broken."

My latest gem is an adjective litmus test: "If you remove the adjective, do you alter the meaning?"

[jacks girl]

The most important Advice? Would have been to join Christian Writers but I found it on my own. Stumbled across it with Gods help I'm sure.


Why is it so important to me.

It helped me to learn that I'm normal, that I'm not crazy for wanting to write in the first place. It was finally feeling that I belong. Learning that I am not the only person on the earth that dreams, sleeps, and thinks about, writing what goes on in my head.


It has been such a help to me to hear others stories, to learn what makes you guys tick. I really thought at times I was going down the wrong path because i wanted to spend so much time writing or thinking about what I wanted to write. I have been on the wrong paths before but now I'm trying to pray for guidance in all things.

Great Question

[tlm]

Probably, for me, the best writing advice I've received is: Write What You Know.

My professor told me the same, only she said, you are a good writer, when you are old enough to know a little more about life--you will be able to write what you know.:eek:

I was a bit insulted at the time. After all, I was 18 and knew everything.

Another piece of advice came from another professor. He said to consider any rejection as a badge of courage. He actually suggested that I use them as wall paper for my den.:cool:

[dulcigal]

My best advice is Heinlein's rule #1: You must write. With all the craziness of figuring things out and trying to GET advice, how many of us forget that in order to write, you must WRITE?

My second best: to show and not tell.

And then right on its heels comes the advice that it's ok to show BY telling. Paint word-pictures. :)

One more piece of advice that I know goes against everyone else's grain is from John Gardner: that it's ok to write what you don't know. (If I had to write what I know, writing scifi I'd be sunk!) The advice here is "write what interests you"--big difference from writing only what you know!

[DraperJC]

Dulcigal is correct. Writers write.

[writegirl1949]

Best Advice: "Show me, don't tell me."

I received that advice while I was attending an arduous 10 week basic journalism course at the Army's Defense Information School.

The great thing is that it works both for non-fiction as well as fiction and has served me well over the years.

Second best advice: Make 'em laugh, make 'em cry ... make 'em feel something -- Stephen King. I read that years and years ago and wrote it on a scrap of paper. That paper followed me to Germany -- although faded and yellow -- but I keep it because it means something (as Richard Dryfus said in "Close Encounters.":p

Blessings, Francine

[DrRita]

Write what you love, love what you write . . . Though the second part takes getting over myself, it's crucial because if I don't love it, there's no passion in it.

I guess this is important to me because I'm coming to the conclusion I'm just not a novelist; I'm a screenwriter. I love writing screenplays and tolerate writing novels. Go figure.

[Merry]

Best writing advice: don't give up.

[paulchernoch]

My advice echoes Whitehawke's: So what?

I once worked for a management consulting company, and we were required to take a seminar on writing effective business proposals. One of the partners repeated the mantra "So what?" constantly. Every paragraph, every section, every report must answer that question. Why are you wasting my time? What are you trying to tell me and why is it important? This is the complement to "Show, don't tell." In nonfiction, you really want to tell someone something, but you need to support your claims with facts and reasoning (showing) or they won't be persuaded. But after all the logic is presented, it must conclude with what you are telling: recommendations for change.

In fiction, it is the same. You may not always out and out tell, but your showing must have a clear "tell" as its basis, so that if the reader is paying attention, the thing you are telling them comes across. So when I write, I have to ask my self what I am trying to tell the reader about the character, their values, how this scene will change them and their future, etc.

At rock bottom: substance before style.

- Paul

[pajarita_deDios]

The best so far..."Keep writing, don't stop writing. The only way to be a good writer is to write." from my screenwriting teacher, who if you've seen my posts of late is a great inspiration to me.

[mahatma]

Keep It Simple, But Loaded!::D

[DearPrudence]

only write, what you want to read

[Phy]

only write, what you want to read

...over and over and over again. ;)

[whitehawke]

...over and over and over again. ;)
lol. Ain't that the truth.

[Lookin^Up]

(If I had to write what I know, writing scifi I'd be sunk!) The advice here is "write what interests you"--big difference from writing only what you know!
With science fiction, if you don't know it, find out about it. One of my stories take place near a supernova, so I had to learn all about them so known science would remain intact while I make up what science does not know. By researching first, I wind up writing what I know--what I've recently learned.

Answers in Genesis is always a good resource for scientific research, because Ken Ham cuts through the evolutionary garbage and gives the real science behind what we see in the sky. (Did you know that the Oort cloud and dark matter in space don't really exist, that scientists made them up to account for billions of years?) I'm not sure Mr. Ham would appreciate my recommending his site, as he does not believe in aliens. Actually, I'm not sure I do, either, but it's fun to make them up.

[wardog25]

"Only write what you are passionate about."


If you can't make yourself feel something as you write, nobody else will be moved by your writing either.

[tlm]

(If I had to write what I know, writing scifi I'd be sunk!) The advice here is "write what interests you"--big difference from writing only what you know!

Good science fiction takes science fact into account. The characters in science fiction should be believable. That comes from knowledge of human nature.

[righter1]

"Only write what you are passionate about."


If you can't make yourself feel something as you write, nobody else will be moved by your writing either.


I love both of these, and they are so true! I know I've written a good scene when I find myself as apprehensive or sad or joyful as my characters are. :)

[Dana K]

Four words that stick with me: Dive deep, surface fast.

[Phy]

Good science fiction takes science fact into account. The characters in science fiction should be believable. That comes from knowledge of human nature.

Space opera is even better. You can take science for granted and focus even more on characterization. For instance, George Lucas didn't burden us with the science behind Star Wars, he just started telling his story. He needed a samurai sect and gave them futuristic weapons that were both elegant and lethal. He gave us droids and hoversleds and hyperdrive. We buy all of that because we buy the characters.

Firefly is much the same. The only time Joss shows us Serenity coming through the atmosphere, it was to lead up to a gag and introduce that chapter in the saga.

[Alice]

I don't know. Maybe I haven't received it yet.

[StormSwept]

Best advice? Might seem a bit odd.. but here goes:
In fiction: writing with a grain of truth is more believable than inventing the whole thing.

Jaki

[tlm]

For instance, George Lucas didn't burden us with the science behind Star Wars, he just started telling his story. He needed a samurai sect and gave them futuristic weapons that were both elegant and lethal. He gave us droids and hoversleds and hyperdrive. We buy all of that because we buy the characters.

--But Lucas was still writing about what he knows--human relationships. Teen boys relate to Luke because they empathize with the feeling of being trapped, but believing they can achieve more if they break away from the adults who are holding them back, etc.

He also proves his knowledge of Eastern religions--especially in the The Empire Strikes Back. To make fiction seem real, you borrow from what you know.

[melw]

i have got a lot of good advice on this site.

Things i didn't really think of before POV, showing not telling.

But i love the piece about writing what you know/love.

And this site is great to affirm myself that i am not quite as crazy as i thought myself to be.

MEL

[Phy]

And this site is great to affirm myself that i am not quite as crazy as i thought myself to be.

MEL

Oh, sure you are!

But you're not alone. Not by a long shot... ;)

[Lookin^Up]

Either you're not crazy, Mel, or it doesn't seem as though you are because we all are. :eek: :D

[whitehawke]

And this site is great to affirm myself that i am not quite as crazy as i thought myself to be.MEL
Hey, writers are crazy in the eyes of the world. We are different to them and they can't understand us. Hey, perhaps the rest of the world is crazy because they don't see how much fun they're missing out on.

I used to think I was crazy, but now I know I am, I am crazy about writing and crazy about God. :cool:

[melw]

Hey, writers are crazy in the eyes of the world. We are different to them and they can't understand us. Hey, perhaps the rest of the world is crazy because they don't see how much fun they're missing out on.

I used to think I was crazy, but now I know I am, I am crazy about writing and crazy about God. :cool:

I try to explain my writing to friends and they just don't understand. We are a different breed and have our own way of speaking. I mean we can say 'our characters did what we didn't want them to do' And non-writers say 'how can that be?'

God definately directed me to this site. To help me

[righter1]

I try to explain my writing to friends and they just don't understand. We are a different breed and have our own way of speaking. I mean we can say 'our characters did what we didn't want them to do' And non-writers say 'how can that be?'

Have you tried explaining the character thing to your husband? I can't remember for sure if I have or not, but I'm sure I'd get one of those 'oh-brother-I-married-a-weirdo' looks that I get from time to time... Actually, taking out 'weirdo' and inserting 'nerd' is usually more appropriate coming from my husband... He'll just be happy when it's 'done' (how do I explain it's really NEVER done) and out to agents/publishers. :)

[P.K.mama]

Keep writing, even when your mind seems blank, eventually it will be full again.

[Tarin]

In her book Write Away, mystery writer Elizabeth George talks about her practice of keeping a "writing journal," in which she comments daily on her progress in whatever she is currently writing. She said the primary reason she does this is so that she can look back, during her next project, and realize that she goes through the same struggles during every book.

I started doing this with my last novel, and I am completely hooked. Not only does it help to keep things in perspective, but it's invaluable when it comes to sorting out my thoughts prior to a writing session. Who knows how much junk I've avoided writing due to this little trick.!thumbsup!

[Phy]

Keep writing, even when your mind seems blank, eventually it will be full again.

Roger Ebert is known as a film critic, but he should be known for his writing. He's so gifted with the way he turns a phrase.

For instance, on this very topic, Roger wrote that the Muse comes during the work, not before it. I've never forgotten that.

[ProfessorAlan]

Roger wrote that the Muse comes during the work, not before it. I've never forgotten that.

I have heard the spiritual version of that sentiment as, "you start in the physical, and end up in the spiritual." Either way, it's a key insight.

[dulcigal]

For instance, on this very topic, Roger wrote that the Muse comes during the work, not before it. I've never forgotten that.

That's incredibly true. Another piece along the same lines is from Madeleine L'Engle in Walking on Water: (paraphrasing over a couple of chapters) that a writer must have more faith in the work itself than in their ability to write it. They must simply learn to listen to it. Sit down every day and write, but be ready for when the work will take over.

Actually, that's probably one of the most important bits of advice I've ever recieved. Conscious that I'm listening, I listen better, and therefore the work comes out truer.

[Tarin]

a writer must have more faith in the work itself than in their ability to write it. They must simply learn to listen to it. Sit down every day and write, but be ready for when the work will take over.

Listen the story. That hits the nail on the head, doesn't it? Kind of goes hand in hand with the idea that we often cripple ourselves with "our need to be brilliant."

[Lookin^Up]

I find that the author who thinks he's brilliant or a genius will often turn out warmed-over garbage. So the advice that "the story's the thing" (to paraphrase Shakespeare) hits the nail right on the head.

It also goes along with a solid biblical principle: "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you." (Romans 12:3) Humility is a valuable commodity in God's family, quite the opposite of our "me first" society. Our writing should reflect that.

[kerrig]

[QUOTE=dulcigal;91197]That's incredibly true. Another piece along the same lines is from Madeleine L'Engle in Walking on Water: (paraphrasing over a couple of chapters) that a writer must have more faith in the work itself than in their ability to write it. They must simply learn to listen to it. Sit down every day and write, but be ready for when the work will take over.

This is so true of song writing also. When I have sat down and tried to write it is so stilted. But if I allow the Holy Spirit to lead then things go much smoother.