There are so many blogs out there about writing and they all offer advice. Some of them contain sound advice and some are so vague they barely count as helpful. My intent is to share advice and tips that will help someone have a real career in this business, whether in fiction or nonfiction. If I ever stray in this goal, feel free to nudge me back on course.
Today I am going to share some big, overarching truths that I’ve learned along the way:
1. Go for it.
Don’t wait for permission or motivation. Sit down and write. Make it happen. If you wait for permission or for your muse to appear, you will get nowhere.
2. There is no perfect place to write.
I don’t know about all of you, but whenever I see a movie or show with a great office or library, I think, “That is the perfect place to write. If only I had that…” But it’s a lie. It doesn’t matter where we write, only that we do. No matter what the time or place, be it good or bad, the writing takes place inside our heads. We take that wherever we go. Changing your location may alter your inspiration and inclination to write, but it won’t magically make it happen. You have to do that wherever you are now.
3. There is no perfect time.
Whatever time you can grab works, but make sure you grab as much as you can. Writing and editing takes time. You have to be disciplined to make it happen. It’s like all of life, you have to make it a priority if you expect to succeed.
4. Choose: Hobby or Career
You have to choose whether writing is a hobby or a career. The first allows you to sit back and enjoy the process without pressure of producing. The latter does not. If you choose this as your career, you have to treat it like a job. That means making a schedule, creating a plan, working that plan and finishing what you begin.
5. Learning can only take you so far.
Writing books and blogs (even this one) can only take you so far. The best way to learn is to write, fail, edit and do it again until you have it. Yes, teachers and books can ease you along the way and teach you the mechanics of the craft, but like any skill, it takes practice to improve. But a good mentor speeds up the process.
6. Read books.
Buying writing books and tools will not help you if they sit on the shelf unread. I think there is a tendency to buy things we think will help but a lack of discipline in actually using those things. Think about that treadmill you bought that is acting as a clothes hanger now. Buying a book does not improve your skills if you never crack the spine. (Okay, don’t crack the spine, that’s cruelty to books, but do open and read it, otherwise what’s the point of having it?)
7. Enjoy it or stop.
Writing is not easy, but it can and should be enjoyable. If it’s not, choose something else. Writing requires passion and if your heart is not in it, the writing will fall flat. If you decide to do nonfiction or a combination of nonfiction and fiction, be selective. Choose the types of writing and projects that inspire you. I, for one, refuse all technical writing jobs and those that deal with subjects that make my eyes glaze over. I know that I need to be engaged if I want to engage the reader/viewer. Luckily for me, I am interested in a wide range of subjects that keep my freelance career viable.
8. It’s not easy.
Many people think they can write. Clients in particular. They think that because they did it in school, so it must be easy. But that’s as true as saying because they took art in elementary school they can paint a masterpiece. Art takes practice and skill. Writing well demands more than a passing knowledge of the mechanics. It takes skill and practice. Never stop working on your skills and know that even the best writer can still learn things that will make a difference in the work.
9. Be easy to work with, good, and on time.
Neil Gaiman make an excellent point in his commencement address at the University of the Arts in 2012 when he said you have to be at least two of the following things: good, on time, and pleasant to work with. I would argue it’s best to be all three, but possessing two of these qualities is essential to having a career. I encourage you all to watch his address if you have not already.
10. Write, don’t talk.
Talking about it is not the same as writing. It’s great if you want to be a storyteller, but not if you want to write. Stop talking and write instead.
11. Research is not writing.
It’s a great way to procrastinate though. When you research, make sure to have a plan and a timetable. A better idea is to research one project while you are writing another. Write first. Research second. (Look for an ebook on research tips for writers this spring.)
12. You will never feel ready.
You will question your ability no matter how successful you become at this. That is the nature of being a creative person. We are emotional creatures who fear the blank page that we cannot fill. Ignore those feelings. It is the only way to find the words. It’s not easy, but it is necessary to silence those voices that cast shadow and doubt.
Bonus Tip:
Talking to other writers helps. If you become a Figments & Fables patron, you will have access to the F&F Discord Community, which is a great way to find inspiration, guidance, feedback and answers to your burning questions. Consider supporting Figments & Fables today. Your support helps keep this blog and website free and ad-free.
Note: This is an example of a patron-only-style blog post I will be posting on Patreon from now on. I’ll keep posting writing blogs here every Tuesday, but will share more personal observations, mistakes, lessons learned and similar topics on the other platform, including how I got started and made a career from writing.