I don’t often give out writing advice, mainly because I feel more like an eternal learner, but then again, maybe that’s the point. That and the fact I was thinking about how writing, how stories, are a form of communication, and then comes the importance of reading. In a complex world we want our words to hit home, to reflect, to challenge, to inspire… And so we must be open, to grow, to learn… and to read.
Read and learn from what you read, about language, plot, character, and overall flow. Think about the good, the not so good, and those stories that pull you in and keep you there in every beat, engrossed to the final page. What flow, what depth, keeps you turning the page? What do you look for? What do you want to produce?
Write. Read your work out loud, to yourself, to another, to a roomful of others. Stretch and test yourself, until the words sound like music to your ears. Then write, revise, edit, produce more. We’re always striving, always learning, always growing. And when it comes to seeking publishing, always keeping on going. Live with the rejections, keep submitting, and in the meantime write some more, rest, refresh, revisit with clarity and the courage to keep producing, revising, transforming into unique pieces of something new.
You may have inspiration. You may have that elusive talent. The good news is that writing depends on neither. Hard work can produce talent. Engaging in the process can produce inspiration.
Octavia Butler said, “Forget inspiration. Habit is more dependable. Habit will sustain you whether you’re inspired or not. Habit will help you finish and polish your stories. Inspiration won’t. Habit is perseverance in practice.”
So form the habit. Create routines. Write, explore and flex the imagination muscle. Stay determined to develop and grow and produce work to the best that it can be. Listen to the response. Adapt, learn, grow, and persist.
Read. Write. Persist.
And once your book is produced, you have the pleasure of spotting it on a bookshop bookshelf, as I spotted mine last week when visiting Tiverton’s lovely Liznojan bookshop.
Keep writing. Keep reading. Love Books.
Have a great week!
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