I would add: and trying to get better. It isn't just a numbers game. One of my editors once told me the majority of submissions he saw from the same people never improved in quality, and neither did most of those he published! I try to learn a new trick every time I write, whether someone's handing me a Snausage for it or not. It's much more fun that way. Even though Snausages smell gross.
Ha ha ha. I have so wanted to write a blog post like this . I applaud you for doing it.:) Its so true too. Happy writing everyone.–Amy Joy https://amysjoy.com
Exactly what I needed to hear exactly when I needed to hear it. It's easy to get distracted by the summer fun! As someone on Twitter posted recently, "Back to the comma mines!"
That's what writers do – they keep writing (although I agree with JS Bell that knowing the techniques of good writing will result in a better product).
Inform yourself, and watch what other writers are doing. Write something different when the muse fails to show up. Learn when you're most productive and try to do your writing then. If Life intervenes, be flexible. Be mobile at times to get ideas stirring in the brainpan.
Where's your imagination? Dig in your heels and get tough.
This is the shortest blog post I've ever read. In fact, I've never before read a blog post wherein the title was significantly longer than the actual post. I am amused.
Thank you for not saying reading! I can't stand when authors are asked what advice they would give other would-be authors, and they respond by saying "read as much as you can." It's like a conspiracy to keep everyone else down so they can get the biggest possible piece of the book market.
Unless, of course, your writing is filled with bad habits you really shouldn't be repeating over and over again. I find I need to do a lot more than continued writing to get better. I need to read, try new things, get reviews, etc., etc. I've noticed that some famous writers get better over time; some get much worse over time – not sure why that is.
mmrule says
Thanks for the reality check! I never wait for inspiration anymore. I just sit down and force myself to write.
James Scott Bell says
I'd tweak this a bit. I wouldn't tell someone "Just golf." If they keep ingraining bad habits it does no good long term.
Write, and learn, and write some more, and learn some more. Repeat.
But yes, mostly, keep writing.
Matthew J. Beier says
And tea.
Jemi Fraser says
Love it 🙂 So true!
Rick Daley says
Nice!
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Linda Godfrey says
I would add: and trying to get better. It isn't just a numbers game. One of my editors once told me the majority of submissions he saw from the same people never improved in quality, and neither did most of those he published! I try to learn a new trick every time I write, whether someone's handing me a Snausage for it or not. It's much more fun that way. Even though Snausages smell gross.
Travis Erwin says
And yet, it is sometimes the hardest thing to do, Thanks for the reminder.
Luciferadi says
And reading!
Hillsy says
What about if the problem is Repetative Strain Injury?
Amy Joy says
Ha ha ha. I have so wanted to write a blog post like this . I applaud you for doing it.:) Its so true too. Happy writing everyone.–Amy Joy https://amysjoy.com
Hillsy says
I get so engrossed in the writing process I forget to eat, sometimes for days on end. What should I do??
Javid Suleymanli says
lol. cool 🙂
Rene Peterson says
Exactly what I needed to hear exactly when I needed to hear it. It's easy to get distracted by the summer fun! As someone on Twitter posted recently, "Back to the comma mines!"
The Sasquatch says
Also: alcohol
Debbie says
And, of course, there are those people one is tempted to tell "Stop writing!"
Ashelyn says
Truth has never been so profound.
Dominique says
That's brilliant.
Stephen Parrish says
You have never been more eloquent.
Cossette says
yeah. pretty much.
Roger Floyd says
Well said, although every now and then I have to stop and think about what I want to write.
L J King says
Love it!
Cindy Little says
Haha, snausages. Well said. I find that the more I write, the easier it becomes. Its the revising that I have a tough time not dragging my feet on.
Mira says
This is very wise.
I'm posting this one near my computer. Thank you!
Cozy in Texas says
Absolutely. Great reminder
Ann
Sarah says
Thanks. I needed that.
Jaycee Adams says
A rare miss for the great Nathan Bransford.
Josin L. McQuein says
I think I 'd tweak it a bit to "Keep writing better than you did the day before." Otherwise, you stagnate.
J. M. Dow says
I prefer setting the offending page ablaze and then bathing in the ashes to set an example for the rest of the novel that they could be next.
But, you know, keep writing is good advice, too.
D.G. Hudson says
That's what writers do – they keep writing (although I agree with JS Bell that knowing the techniques of good writing will result in a better product).
Inform yourself, and watch what other writers are doing. Write something different when the muse fails to show up. Learn when you're most productive and try to do your writing then. If Life intervenes, be flexible. Be mobile at times to get ideas stirring in the brainpan.
Where's your imagination? Dig in your heels and get tough.
Ann Best says
Short posts are posts of might. You've aptly demonstrated this by the responses you've gotten. "I would tweak this a bit." "I would add."
I'm going to try brevity when I'm burned out trying to think of something to post!
Ann Best, Author of In the Mirror, A Memoir of Shattered Secrets
mima says
Great post (as usual) and great advice. I'd only add "keep reading" to that "keep writing."
Ishta Mercurio says
🙂
Love this.
Reading, too. Definitely.
Sommer Leigh says
I think this is the best advice in the simplest terms possible.
Also, you win for shortest, most worthwhile blog post ever written. Congrats!
Christi Goddard says
You're like the Confucius of the literary world.
Kathryn Packer Roberts says
Ha. This took me by surprise. I was expecting something slightly more in depth, but this will do, too =)
The English Teacher says
This is the shortest blog post I've ever read. In fact, I've never before read a blog post wherein the title was significantly longer than the actual post.
I am amused.
Dara says
Yep 🙂 Couldn't have said it better.
swedishfish says
Wow. I kind of need this today.
Valerie Rieker says
Haha. Touché.
TERI REES WANG says
Gracias!
J.P. Kurzitza says
Thank you for not saying reading! I can't stand when authors are asked what advice they would give other would-be authors, and they respond by saying "read as much as you can." It's like a conspiracy to keep everyone else down so they can get the biggest possible piece of the book market.
Mieke Zamora-Mackay says
Amen.
Matthew C Wood says
Truer words have never been spoken.
Marilyn Peake says
Unless, of course, your writing is filled with bad habits you really shouldn't be repeating over and over again. I find I need to do a lot more than continued writing to get better. I need to read, try new things, get reviews, etc., etc. I've noticed that some famous writers get better over time; some get much worse over time – not sure why that is.
Anonymous says
Great advice!!
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Suze says
Preach it.
GalaktioNova says
I knew you were going to say it 🙂
SBJones says
And shuffle every day.
Ramona's Story Time says
That is beautiful and I am crying.
Just kidding, I'm not actually crying. But it is beautiful.
Darley says
This made me laugh. I have experienced this fact over and over again. Because sometimes I forget that the problems don't fix themselves.