Five Commandments for Writers

ChimeraCreative · May 24, 2008

It would be smashing if I some kind folks would list their strongest pieces of advice for new writers, or what rules they adhere to when they're writing. I've been trying to convince a friend of mine there is no "hard set of rules" that will make them a better writer faster. It takes time and experimentation to figure out what works for an individual. I appreciate anybody and everybody expressing what makes their writing mojo happen. ^_^

-An

JamieFord · May 24, 2008

Allow yourself to suck, for a while.

No one ever played Mozart the first time they sat down at the piano. The same applies to writing. Don't expect to write a bestseller with your first attempt. False starts, dead ends and endless rewrites of stuff that no one will ever see, is just part of learning your craft.

CheshireCat · May 24, 2008

Never stop reading.

Read as much, and as widely, as you can.

And write with the goal of building a body of work, over time.

Bartholomew · May 24, 2008

JamieFord said:
Allow yourself to suck, for a while.

No one ever played Mozart the first time they sat down at the piano.

Except for Mozart.

#
Here's one of mine--

Thicken your skin and gum together some bravery. Practice getting thicker skin on crit sites. The anonymity of the internet allows people to safely ream you a new one, sometimes constructively. This is good practice for dealing with editors.

Cranky · May 24, 2008

CheshireCat said:
Never stop reading.

Read as much, and as widely, as you can.

And write with the goal of building a body of work, over time.

What CC says, with this addendum:

Write something, every day. 100 words, 1,000, 10,000 words. But something.

The Lady · May 24, 2008

I cannot disagree more with the write something every day rule. That way lies stress and guilt.

For me.

I must emphasise again. For me.

My moment of breakthrough came when I realized I could not write every day. I made a timetable up for myself and I have writing days and non writing days.

This works well for me.

On writing days, I know I will be able to do all the other things I need to do on my non writing days. On non writing days, I know I'll be able to get back to that project tomorrow.

Bliss.

Oh, and I must add, writing can be torture at times. There is no amount of will power that will drag me down to the study to tear into a project at a difficult stage unless I have a time tabled session.

Then I give myself permission to turn up and just scream. But mostly I write after a while.

Bubastes · May 24, 2008

Butt in chair.

BlueLucario · May 24, 2008

My newest technique.

POP, AFK, INS, SAM, BIC.

Step one: AFk(Away from keyboard)
Step two: POP.(Pen on Paper)
Step three- SAM(Scribbling away madly)
Step four: INS (Ignore nagging spouse.)
Step five- BIC
Step six- TAM

I think eveyone knows the last two steps.

Cranky · May 24, 2008

The Lady said:
I cannot disagree more with the write something every day rule. That way lies stress and guilt.

For me.

I must emphasise again. For me.

My moment of breakthrough came when I realized I could not write every day. I made a timetable up for myself and I have writing days and non writing days.

This works well for me.

On writing days, I know I will be able to do all the other things I need to do on my non writing days. On non writing days, I know I'll be able to get back to that project tomorrow.

Bliss.

Oh, and I must add, writing can be torture at times. There is no amount of will power that will drag me down to the study to tear into a project at a difficult stage unless I have a time tabled session.

Then I give myself permission to turn up and just scream. But mostly I write after a while.

True. It doesn't do any harm to take a day off once in awhile. Especially when you're stuck. But I think it's a good goal to stick to as closely as you can.

And 100 words a day is nothing.

A great many posts here are longer than that, easy. That's my advice, and I'm stickin' to it. Feel free to toss it as you will!

Bing Z · May 24, 2008

I'm much newer than you. But, how about putting a waterproof computer/keyboard or waterproof marker pen in the shower?

It's where I get the most of my ideas and fine details, but I usually forget what they are once I get back to my computer.

Bartholomew · May 24, 2008

What in God's unpronounceable name is TAM?

Danger Jane · May 24, 2008

Bartholomew said:
What in God's unpronounceable name is TAM?

...Tush At M...M...Seat?

...Toes As M........something?

Uh...Blue, you have a spouse?

Dale Emery · May 24, 2008

TAM: Typing Away Madly.

My entry in the commandments sweepstakes: Pay attention to what has energy for you.

Dale

Kalyke · May 24, 2008

Know the story before you sit down to knock it out. 99% of writing is thinking before you write. This sort of pre-thinking can be done anywhere. (The "Know your song well before you sing it" -- Bob Dylan-- rule)

Be your own biggest Fan. (The "I'm my own biggest fan" rule)

Punch down your ego. (The "The story is the master" rule)

Be willing to do massive pruning if needed. ( The "It's a textile, not a tapestry" rule)

Breeya Shay · May 24, 2008

This is a good idea to have some commandments. Those are all good ideas.
I'm a newbie to the site by the way but I hope I can help out.

Personally, I have 3 main commandments that I work by.

1. Always have a pen and paper with you because sometimes those ideas come at the worst times and if you don't write them down, they don't come back.
2. If your stuck on something, take out your favourite part. Joss Whedon said this in one of his commentaries in season 3 of Angel and its great advice. Sometimes, the part you love the best, needs to go to get the story flowing.
3. Make time to write. Schedule it into your day, whether first thing in the morning or before you go to bed, write one page. It's not as hard as it seems and even if what you write is crap, you still wrote something. Never write less then one page but always feel free to go over.

That's my advice. It has worked for me in the past - I am an unpublished author that no one has heard of but I love to write and those are 3 things that help me out often. I hope it helps others.

Cheers,

Polenth · May 24, 2008

1. I write stuff.
2. When I feel like it.
3. I bounce too.
4. Sugar for the win!
5. Abbreviations suck.

Matera the Mad · May 24, 2008

Don't take yourself too seriously

sugar is evil

Will Lavender · May 24, 2008

I have five:

Never let anyone tell you that publishing your work is impossible.

Never let anyone give you a timeframe for how long a book is going to take. I heard a published author say once, "A novel will take three years." Hogwash. It varies for everyone, and I've found that each project varies as well.

Never go it alone. Find someone -- or a group of someones -- to share your work with, your ideas with, your fears with.

Never become jealous of other writers' success, because that jealousy will swallow you whole.

Never let anyone tell you that good writing cannot be taught.

Breeya Shay · May 24, 2008

That is awesome advice, Will Lavender - one I know I will try to use when I can.
I hate people that claim writing can never be taught - some times people have the potential and the creativity but they need people to show them how to write it down.
Cheers,

Kate Thornton · May 24, 2008

Lots of good advice here - here are mine:

read something every day

do something every day (something with which you can be pleased - it can be a little exercise, keeping the kitchen clean, painting or writing or whatever you can do so you feel you have used that day wisely. Even resting is wise if you are tired or feeling poorly.))

make sure your passion is fun - if it's writing, good - just be sure you're enjoying the rush

when it's no fun anymore, stop and do something else

if you don't know how to do something you want to do - especially writing, but for me painting and lots of other stuff too - go learn. take lessons, ask questions, experiment and learn.

never stop learning and trying to improve

Phaeal · May 24, 2008

Read like a reader.

Read like a writer.

Learn to free-write your way out of blocks and trouble.

Do write at least five days a week -- the mind must be trained that this is not an occasional activity, so it better get used to it NOW.

If it's your bliss, never give up. If it's not, for God's sake, pick something easier and more lucrative!

KTC · May 24, 2008

My5:

1. Learn the rules.
2. Fuck the rules.
3. Write.

Devil Ledbetter · May 24, 2008

KTC said:
My5:

1. Learn the rules.
2. Fuck the rules.
3. Write.

Nice!

Soccer Mom · May 24, 2008

My five rules:

1. Stay curious. you never know what will spark your next idea. Keep your eyes open and your ears pricked. Eavesdrop. Observe. Study obscure subjects.

2. Have interests outside of writing. Don't ignore the real world out there. The more you experience in life, the richer your resevoir to draw from in creating.

3. Acheive something every day. It can be a small something, but honestly, just cleaning my kitchen or taking the dog for a run can feel like you have accomplished SOMETHING with your day.

4. Have a writing schedule. It can be every day, it can be odd days, but make a schedule for your BIC and stick to it.

5. Be patient. Publishing is a marathon, not a sprint. Be prepared to learn your craft, to write more than one book, to edit, to submit, to wait and wait and wait. There are no shortcuts. Some folks seem like an over night success. They aren't.

6. (did I say five? I lied.) Sugar is da bomb. So is caffiene. Don't begrudge yourself a few minor vices.

BlueLucario · May 24, 2008

Danger Jane said:
Uh...Blue, you have a spouse?

Too young, I just wanted to say something random.

Five Commandments for Writers

Been there, Done that.

giving resonant directions

Mostly purring. Mostly.

Comic guy

Critical Member

bananaed

Blood Elves FTW

illiterate primate

Comic guy

is way off topic

Mushroom

Bartender, gimme a Linux Mint

Everything is what it seems.

Still Happy to be Here. Or Anywhere

Whatever I did, I didn't do it.

Stand in the Place Where You Live

Come on you stranger, you legend,

Crypto-fascist

Blood Elves FTW