8 Good Writing Practices
On my book tour travels, I have heard lots and lots of people say, “You have inspired me to write a book!” To know that I have inspired someone to do something always warms my heart and makes me so happy. I become a cheerleader, encouraging people to pursue their writing. To go ahead. Do it.
I also tell them (because I am honest!) that writing a book is not for the faint of heart. It is hard, hard, hard work. It is emotional and exhausting and overwhelming. BUT, the Silver Lining is that when you finish, there is about no better feeling in the world (other than having your oncologist tell you that you are cancer free, of course!).
Recently I came across Neil Gaiman’s list of “8 good writing practices”. Neil knows a thing or two about writing as he is known for his graphic novels, audio theatre, films, comic books, and short novels. His most notable works include The Graveyard Book, Coraline, American God, and the comic book series The Sandman. He has a magical way of making me feel as though I intimately know (or could be one of) the characters in his books. For those of who have a passion for words, here are some words of wisdom to help you begin, continue or finish your writing project!
- Write.
- Put one word after another. Find the right word, put it down.
- Finish what you’re writing. Whatever you have to do to finish it, finish it.
- Put it aside. Read it pretending you’ve never read it before. Show it to friends whose opinion you respect and who like the kind of thing that this is.
- Remember: when people tell you something’s wrong or doesn’t work for them, they are almost always right. When they tell you exactly what they think is wrong and how to fix it, they are almost always wrong.
- Fix it. Remember that, sooner or later, before it ever reaches perfection, you will have to let it go and move on and start to write the next thing. Perfection is like chasing the horizon. Keep moving.
- Laugh at your own jokes.
- The main rule of writing is that if you do it with enough assurance and confidence, you’re allowed to do whatever you like. (That may be a rule for life as well as for writing. But its definitely true for writing.) So write your story as it needs to be written. Write it honestly, and tell it as best you can.
To this list I would add: Write every day. No matter what. No matter where. To be a good writer, you need to do it every single solitary day.
Are you a writer? If so, I’d love to hear your suggestions!
* Photo Credit: Elizabeth Messina
I am a 'wannabe' writer. I enjoy writing in general: letters, notes, bible studies, sketches, skits, and journaling. But I have never had more than a passing fancy about writing a book. However I find Neil Gaiman's "8 Rules for Writing" good advice for any writing one does.
Looking at your pensive writing pose, seated at your desk, I would add that one should have a quiet place set up for the creative writing task at hand, whatever that might be.
THank you so much for sharing, Carolee! I don't think that the endgame of writing always has to be a book. I think that it can be for the joy of writing in and of itself! I wholeheartedly agree about finding a quiet place. For sure. xx
Great post Hollye (and Neil), thank you. Another great piece of advice I heard from a screenwriter friend was always to stop at a place where you know how you will begin again, even if it means stopping in the middle of a sentence. It allows you to get going again immediately and helps you to keep your momentum. This may be a bit crosswise from Neil's No. 3, above, but it's consistent with No. 1 above, which is the most important. My other advice is to do what works for you!
Ahhhhh, these are great ones dear Frances! Thank you!
I loved this post, dear H. + the photo of EM is simply sublime.
xxx
Isa
Thanks dear Isa!