Thanks to all of you who stopped by Friday to introduce yourselves! I really enjoyed getting to know you.
I’ve read a couple of informative posts about great writing advice and thought it would be fun to discuss the other side: the Worst Writing Advice Ever.
In my experience, the “rule” to write everyday is something that has hindered more than helped. I’ve heard (and probably you’ve heard, too) this sort of “use it or lose it” mandate. The intent is probably to motivate. For me, it only magnifies my doubts in my abilities, makes guilt a constant companion, and robs me of the joy of playing with language.
While I write more often than not, I take breaks, too. Writing needs to be nurtured and practiced. It is a discipline that grows with discipline. Still, allowing only writing to be the way I learn to write limits me in a way that steals my joy. Living informs my writing. Reading teaches me daily how to go about my craft.
I fall somewhere between the “use it or lose it” and “writing is like riding a bike” philosophies. It’s work, but the freedom to walk away from my work ultimately strengthens what I create (and helps the attitude I bring to the process).
What’s something you’ve been told you had to do that backfired? Any ridiculous suggestions from well-meaning people?
I write picture books, and the one that I hear over (and over and over) again is “I know this illustrator who’d be perfect for your book …” (or worse, “I’d love to illustrate it!”) Editors don’t want to see illustrations if you’re not an author/illustrator. But, then, I get to look like a lying, unappreciative heel trying to explain that. Blerg.
More related to pitching at a conference: I was waiting for my pitch session and talking to a fellow writer I had just met. She wanted to hear my pitch, so I gave her the shortened version. And then she started freaking out and saying it wasn’t long enough and I needed to make it longer. To be honest, I was winging the whole thing… I didn’t have a long memorized speech, I was just talking about my novel. I didn’t listen to her, thank God, and both agents I pitched to that day asked for pages. So… the moral? Listen to your heart, not what someone else is saying to you. 🙂
I agree with you that writing everyday is not necessarily a requirement. Though I do write most days, sometimes a story needs to be pondered. For me, forcing the writing at these times can be counter productive.
Karen, I write picture books, too. Have heard the same thing. It’s funny how those who know nothing about publishing sure seem to think they do!
Valerie, I always think the big-picture approach is better than some memorized bit, kind of like following all the rules for a great query to the detriment of the letter itself.
Vonna, glad someone else gets it!
I’ve read at several sites that setting large chunks of writing time is an asset. For me writing is snippets is how I get much of work done. If I mapped off four hours a day I would suffocate!
I’m like you Caroline I like to live so I have words to share, and read so that I can learn the best ways to share them.
I’ve heard a LOT of “Why don’t you just self publish and keep all the money for yourself?”
Sigh.
I also get propositioned with “great ideas” quite often.
And I am an illustrator, as well, so I have had a few “we should work on this together” suggestions.
I have to keep telling myself that they all mean well. At least they’re trying to be encouraging! I haven’t had any “Why are you wasting your time”s yet. 🙂
I had someone tell me to be as creative with my query as I was in the book. Big mistake. Probably the most important thing I’ve learned is that a query is a business letter.
The worst is people who assume that getting published has to do with connections–like you can only be published if you know somebody on the “inside”.
Sending something to your hairdresser’s sister who works in the mailroom at Harcourt is equal to just stuffing your manuscript into the trash can.
sf
The amount of time I have to write or even THINK about writing (because thinking really does play a huge part of it) is proportional to what’s going on in my life. December is crazy. I’ve accepted that. So I’m on a writing hiatus and look forward to picking things back up in 2010. Does this mean I doubt my writerly abilities because I’m taking a break? Absolutely not =)
Hi Caroline, I found your blog today by way of Kristi Faith, where she received your award. I’m so happy for her. And now I’ve got a new blog to follow! Yours. The worst advice I ever got was, “It’s okay if it’s not finished, hand it in anyway.” This occurred in college and the teacher didn’t want to extend time until the end of the day. My sick baby had kept me up all night. So, I handed it in. When my paper was returned, there in the middle of the page where I had left off, was written, “SO?” I guess he had forgotten what he’d told me. It had a very devastating effect upon me for a long time. I felt if I couldn’t finish anything to just give it up. I have several unfinished stories I started, still sitting in a file somewhere. I think I will dig them up, and start working on them again, beginning with “So?”. Thanks for the thought producing post!
I don’t write everyday either. Some days I’m just too busy or tired or not creative. I think my best writing comes on its own when I’m not trying to force it. If I really want to write it comes out so much better than when I’m trying to meet a daily word count.
I can’t think of any really bad advice I’ve gotten! But I honestly think we all need to be confident with our styles and how we work. Then we can sift through the advice that works and leave the rest!
I can’t think of any bad advice I’ve gotten either. Other than the self-publishing avenue (for my first picture book) Even then, I don’t think it was bad, just misplaced. :0)
My sister and I talk a lot about the use it or lose it concept. The funny thing is, no matter what, my story will always be in my head. I don’t have to make a mad dash at writing and put a whole MS down on paper in six weeks (like I once thought). I can slow down and enjoy the process. Unless I die unexpectedly!
Sometimes, I write like a house on fire. Other times, my writing barely produces a few sentences. Always, though, my mind is working on some form of writing. ~ Yaya
Yaya’s Home
I do write every single day, but not because of the “use it or lose it” concept or any other assignment-type goal. I write every day as a treat to myself. My time gets pulled in so many directions and by writing every day, I celebrate my goals and feed my creativity. Writing is my dessert and helps me to feel that every single day brings me closer to my goals. That said, I really think we all process differently, have different pulls on our time, and feed the writing well in our own ways. If my writing ever began to feel like an assignment, I’d take time off. But who can get too much dessert?
I love this post. Like so many things in life, you have to figure out what works for you. Just like we all have different writing goals (“I want to make a modest living” versus “I want to be rich” versus “I’d just like to see one of my books on the shelf already!”), we’re also going to have different methods for getting there. Of course, I have been guilty of finding something that works and then thinking everyone should try it – which I’m sure is how the write-everyday advice got out there in the first place.
Elizabeth, welcome!
Julie, I love the idea that writing is like dessert. When I write picture books, writing is play time. Novels are more about entering a new world.
Serenity, You are always so reasonable with your approach. I appreciate that.
When I was first starting out I wanted to take a class and someone told me “Don’t take a class! There’s nothing you can learn from a class that you can’t learn by just doing it!” Well I agree that you can probably learn just about everything just by reading and writing on your own, (and with some things that’s the only way to learn.) But the class really gave me a jump start. It helped me learn some things faster about craft and the business that might have taken me years of making mistakes before I figured it out. It also gave me a small network. So while a class isn’t always necessary, it can be really helpful. I’m glad I didn’t listen to that advice.
I’ve been told not to edit while you write, not to check for grammar or spelling errors – just write. I can’t. I get so distracted by weak verbs, telling, and a misspelling of “niece” that I can’t even think about my next sentence. But maybe I’m just OCD. lol