Last week, I finished writing the 21st draft of a short story.
I made a ton of mistakes, lost my way numerous times…
…and became a much, much better writer.
Here are 21 writing tips that took me too many drafts – and tears – to discover:
The Most Important Rule of Writing?
Above the pearly gates in Writer’s Purgatory…
…there is a question painted gold, floating letters:
“What is the Most Important Rule of Writing?”
Ahead, a vaguely androgynous guardian stood over a marble lectern, scribbling in a book with gold-leafed pages.
When she saw me, a deep frown creased her otherwise flawless face.
She asked, “Do you have your answer?”
How to (Actually) Cure Writer’s Block
“…There is no such thing as Writer’s block…”
At least, that’s what I keep hearing.
“It’s a lie. It’s an excuse. It doesn’t exist.”
Wrong.
Writer’s Block is real. Every writer ever has faced it.
But – there is a serious problem with calling it “Writer’s Block.”
Let me show you…
Why There Are No “Rules” in Writing
My favorite writers are rebels.
Most of them know the rules of writing… and break them anyway.
Look at these examples:
- Isaac Asimov thrived on “info dumps”
- Info dumps are supposed to be boring.
- The Hunger Games starts with Katniss’s wake-up routine.
- Don’t start with the wake-up. This is amateur writing 101!
- Harry Potter doesn’t have a consistent point of view
- Mr. Dursley takes up the first chapter… and we never get his POV again.
But all of them are breakout best sellers.
Which can only mean one thing…
3 Vital Keys to Every Great Horror Story
The gate swings open.
Beyond the rusted iron bars, you see only darkness. A note lies at your feet.
Fresh, red ink reads:
“Dear Writer,
I know what you want:
The secrets to writing a truly great horror story.
Enter my domain, and you will have what you seek – but beware –
Enter softly, and enter alone. There are things in this place that are best left undisturbed…
5 Best Books (for Writers) by Ursula K. Le Guin
Another great writer makes her exit:
Ursula K. Le Guin has passed.
But with her death, I do not want to mourn her…
I want to celebrate her. Her work. And what she did for the world of writing (and reading).
Continue reading 5 Best Books (for Writers) by Ursula K. Le Guin
How to “Fail Better” at Your 2018 Writing Goals
One of my 2018 writing goals:
“Fail as much as possible.”
I want to fail at more writing projects. I want to get more rejections letters. I want to finish books, and have them completely bomb.
In order to do that… I’ll have to write more. Lots more. I’m talking mountains of paper and 1,000,000+ words that nobody will ever read.
Continue reading How to “Fail Better” at Your 2018 Writing Goals
