As a writer I am always seeking advice. Some advice I accept highly and other advice I don't ignore, but I put in the back of my memory. I read an article recently of 20 points of advice from a master author, Stephen King. How can anyone not listen to advice by someone whose writing has taken the world by storm. I have read many of Stephen King's novels and I have never been disappointed. He has a masterful way to make you feel like you are there in the story yourself.
I would like to relay on some of those bits of advice. I won't list all 20, but a few that I highly believe in myself.
1--First write for yourself, then worry about the audience! I believe this and when I write a short story or a novel I need to enjoy it myself. I feel if I don't get enjoyment out of it, how could I expect my readers to enjoy it. A couple of years ago, I wrote a complete novel of about 60,000 words. I read it over twice and I was disappointed in myself. The novel didn't make me happy so how could I expect others to like it. I deleted that entire novel from my computer never to be seen again.
2--Read, read, read! Now this is excellent advice. Stephen King said that no matter where he goes he has something to read with him. If a person is going to succeed as a writer then they have to be a good reader. Reading expands the mind and allows you to go to different places with your thoughts. Reading, as funny as it may sound is also a teacher.
3--Turn off the TV! When you write you want your surrounding to be quiet. The last thing you need is to be distracted. I like total quiet when I am writing. I want my mind totally focused on the words as they appear on the computer screen. Some of my best writing is done early in the morning when it is still dark, my wife and dog are both asleep and the apartment is totally quiet. I also feel after a good night's sleep the mind is at
it's best.
4--Write one word at a time! That does sound kind of funny when you read it, but it is true. An interviewer once asked Stephen King how he writes. His reply was, "One word at a time." Don't try thinking ahead of yourself. Keep you mind on the words one at a time as you write that story.
5-- Stick to your own style! Don't try to imitate another writer. That is the worst thing you can do. Write your way, if the readers like it, good. If they don't like it think about changing a little, but remember it needs to be your style of writing.
6--Writing is about getting happy! Write because you love to write. If you are starting with the intent to make a lot of money, become famous, or for any other reason than being happy it is a mistake. You write because you love to write. That is the important thing. I write because I love it, it makes me happy and from the feedback I get it makes my readers happy. If had gone into it for the money I would be homeless by now.
You can google Stephen King's 20 tips for writing and you can read the rest. He also said write every day. So I write something, on my blog, work on another novel, or just write a few paragraphs for myself that I will eventually delete. Writing needs to be a passion, something that makes you happy. If you aren't happy then what is the point in writing.
Copyright Larry W. Fish 2015
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