Writing has NEVER flowed for me. Not once, not a word, not ever. I have dragged every book I’ve written, kicking and screaming, into existence.
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Quotes tagged ‘Writing Advice’
We had a question this morning: How do you come up with names for characters and places in Science Fiction and Fantasy? Easy. STEAL 'EM. Kidding. You can't have Mr. Spuck go to Chogwarts. But you can take inspiration. Start by considering names that stuck with you. Why? Luke Skywalker = Timeless Bib…
For me, I want to query a finished book--not end on a cliffhanger, assuming they'll pick up a series. So I would make build a rich world with places to explore and plenty of characters but definitely end the book in a satisfying way. If it sells, you can switch up the ending.
If your writing is compelling from page 1, NO ONE CARES WHAT THE TITLE IS. Titles can change. No one rejects an amazing book because the title is bad.
I don't edit a thing until I have a finished first draft. That way lies madness, or at least the opportunity to fall into a pit of hot garbage that will remind me how much I suck and convince me I forgot how to write. Finish the first draft. fix it later.
1. Here's the question: How do you get more comfortable with descriptive writing? And I'll add: Without verging into purple prose or an info dump. This ties in with worldbuilding, which is one of my favorite things. 2. So. Worldbuilding starts on page 1. The words you use, the things you point out,…
‘Write about what you know’ is the most stupid thing I’ve heard. It encourages people to write a dull autobiography. It’s the reverse of firing the imagination and potential of writers.
When in doubt, write. To celebrate, write. As a balm, write. When you mess up, write. To escape, write. When the world burns, write.
...writing is difficult...
Think...of the world that you carry within you, and call this thinking whatever you like. Whether it is memory of your own childhood or longing for your own future - just be attentive towards what rises up inside you, and place it above everything that you notice round about.
(But then that is one of the severest test of an artist: he must always remain innocent and unconscious of his greatest virtues if he is to avoid depriving them of their uninhibitedness and purity.)...In spite of all this take deep pleasure in what is great about his work and must just make sure not…
Attempt to raise the sunken sensations of this distant past; your self will become the stronger for it, your loneliness will open up and become a twilit dwelling in which the noise other people make is only heard far off. And if from this turn inwards, from this submersion in your own world, there c…
If your everyday life seems to lack material, do not blame it; blame yourself, tell yourself that you are not poet enough to summon up its riches, for there is no lack for him who creates and no poor, trivial place.
I hope when people ask what you’re going to do with your English degree and/or creative writing degree you’ll say: ‘Continue my bookish examination of the contradictions and complexities of human motivation and desire;’ or maybe just: ‘Carry it with me, as I do everything that matters.’ And then smi…
...admit to yourself whether you would die if it should be denied you to write. This above all: ask yourself in your night's quietest hour: must I write?
Write like a lover. Write like you’re leaving yourself for another.
Write relentlessly, until you find your voice. Then, use it.
I have advice for people who want to write. I don’t care whether they’re 5 or 500. There are three things that are important: First, if you want to write, you need to keep an honest, unpublishable journal that nobody reads, nobody but you. Where you just put down what you think about life, what you…
The best writing is certainly when you are in love.
That’s all we have, finally, the words, and they had better be the right ones.