For me, its that it's a good idea to sleep on an idea that doesn't seem to be coming together, rather than trying to force it.
what has been your most valuable lesson in writing so far?
- Thread starter arabellawriting
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2007
- Messages
- 2,658
- Reaction score
- 1,317
- Location
- Florida
- Website
- thoughtsfromthecave.blogspot.com
Patience, patience, patience! If threre has been one valuable thing I've learned it is not to rush things and have a multitude of patience. 
Mine is to post work on AW and get it ripped apart. Painful at first but in my case no pain, no gain. And I have gained hugely. Thanks all.
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2005
- Messages
- 3,267
- Reaction score
- 755
To make sure you do some work every day, even if only a little. I find that if I miss one day, it's much easier to miss another, and another.........
When I get into one of my creative moods and the muse is speaking to me, I must write I may think of a sentence or get an idea on how a scene may play out, but if I don't get it written down, it will be long gone...or at least not as good as it played out in my mind.
I may think of a sentence or get an idea on how a scene may play out, but if I don't get it written down, it will be long gone...or at least not as good as it played out in my mind.
I'm Captain Hook now. Never used to be. I really study, dissect, peruse my premise/concept before I even dare to lift a typing finger. I'm now a firm believer in high concept and one-sentence tag lines.
Tri
Tri
Since I decided long ago that writing would hopefully be the means by which I would earn my living, I did, and continually learn all I can about the craft of writing. Also, to learn and to stay current with the business side of publishing so I'm in a position to do anything and everything possible to bring my books to the attention of the public and to motivate sales.
- Joined
- May 13, 2008
- Messages
- 95
- Reaction score
- 20
- Location
- Bathurst, Australia
- Website
- jefferyedoherty.googlepages.com
Get into an active, workshopping writers/critique group and networking are the key to being the best writer you can be and increasing your chances of getting published.
JED
JED
I've learned to be patient. Boy was that nealry impossible
And I have also learned to filter out helpful criticism from "always wanting to rain on my parade" criticism. Some people just hate everything
And I have also learned to filter out helpful criticism from "always wanting to rain on my parade" criticism. Some people just hate everything
A book is made up of TWO important parts: language and story. I spent about 25 years studying language and writing beautiful things that got rejected before I realized I needed to learn how to structure the story.
Keep moving forward. Even when you think it's impossible, keep yourself (and the story) fluid. Don't be afraid of trying a new path, head down it and see what you discover.
Aaaaand what everyone else said above me. Excellent suggestions, people!
Aaaaand what everyone else said above me. Excellent suggestions, people!
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2008
- Messages
- 2,557
- Reaction score
- 571
- Location
- SE Michigan
- Website
- www.bofexler.blogspot.com
That not everyone will like what I have written. But that does not (necessarily) mean that the writing (or story or character or etc.) is bad. Sometimes it's not what the reader likes to read.
