Writing Advice
Image is courtesy Son of Groucho.
It seems that writers, both professional and unpaid, have quite distinct views of what works and what doesn’t in terms of process, goals, and quotas. In some cases, I’ve read extremely polarized opposite views from authors who have successfully published.
I am a member of a forum in which one writer has views quite opposite my own, so I’ve given some thought to what I’ve read and experienced.
I have come to one conclusion:
The method that works is the method that works for YOU.
If part of your process isn’t working, or you are experiencing difficulty not related to issues of discipline, my thought is that you should examine your methods and perhaps change them. It’s good to have a rough idea of some of the methods that have been successful for various authors. It gives you some ideas to kick around and try for yourself.
Our processes and methods of writing evolve along with us. What worked for me 15 or 20 years ago might not be so great for me now. Part of living an examined life is paying attention to the things we’ve outgrown
My writing advice? Simple. Feel free to take all writing advice with a grain of salt. Experiment, try things out, and use what works. Don’t use what works for everyone else. Use what works for YOU.
What you say is so true. It all comes down to our personality. I used to use the school method of writing outlines, etc. But, now, I find brainstorming helps greatly. As well as other methods. But, I agree. (Not that I’m a published writer, but someone who can’t live without it.)
I use the brainstorming/mindmapping method quite a bit. My outlines are written paragraphs rather than your traditional “A, B, C” format. it works for me, lol.
Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment.
New blog? I like what I see!
I agree. Everyone has a different opinion on what works. They’re all based on what works for them. There’s no universal formula that will work for everyone.
I’ve been reading writing blogs for a few months and they all give different advice. The best way is to try out the ones you think would work and see if they do for you.
I came through Sal’s blog. I like
My thanks to Sal!
Welcome, Samat.
While there are a few “universal” truths to writing (you actually have to write, for example), our processes are as individual as we are, don’t you think?
I’m glad you stopped by.
Oops. I spelled my own name wrong. Ughh. Have to be the biggest goof up by a writer. Hehe.
You’re right, we all have different processes. I’m trying to identify my own. Thinking of keeping a writing diary to record what times I’m writing and for how long at a stretch etc etc to help me identify my own patterns. Right now, my writing feels all over the place.
A writing diary helps, I think, for identifying such things. I would record times as well as dates, then go back and see when I was driven by the urge to write as much as I tried to identify moods and how they affected the quality. Let me know how it goes, if you would. Self-discovery is a good thing for creative people!