Pulitzer prize-winning journalist Don Murray says the three worst pieces of advice he was ever given were: 1. If you like it, cut it out. 2. Know what you are going to say before you write it. 3. Don’t write what’s been said before. I’ve been given these gems of advice before myself and they — Read More
Category: Writers on Writing
Quote of the month
Writers are always questioning/struggling to find/analyzing their “voice.” Whenever I’m doubtful of how authentic my characters are, I think of this quote: “Imagine yourself at your kitchen table, in your pajamas. Imagine one person you’d allow to see you that way, and write in the voice you’d use to that friend.” ~ Sandra Cisneros And — Read More
Are you DONE yet?
When people ask, they don’t do so maliciously, but what the writer hears is impatience, criticism, and judgment. The question I’m referring to?: “So, how’s that book coming along?” Whenever I get this inquiry, a slew of AKAs run through my head: – What the hell is taking so long? – Is this the same — Read More
Short stories vs novels, relationships vs flings
In the introduction to his short story collection, Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman, Haruki Murakami says this about writing short stories versus novels: “To put in the simplest possible terms, I find writing novels a challenge, writing short stories a joy. If writing novels is like planting a forest, then writing short stories is more like — Read More
Most-rejected novelist dies
My mom sent me this article, saying she thought I would appreciate it. And I do. Here’s a guy, Dick Wimmer, whose first novel, Irish Wine, was rejected 162 freaking times over 25 freaking years before it was finally published in 1989. He laid claim to being history’s most-rejected novelist, with his closest competitor being — Read More
Dealing with rejection
If you’re a writer who has dared to submit something for publication, then you have dealt with rejection. Unless you’re some lucky bastard, in which case go away. Writers, like most creative people, are sensitive, so it’s a cruel irony that the writing business is so insensitive. It’s like bootcamp for those of us born — Read More
Stephen King: On Writing
As a writer, people like to give me lots of books on writing, filled with self-help suggestions and theories on craft. Most of the time, I skim, then toss the books behind the first row of books on my shelf, never to be seen again. A while back, a friend gave me Stephen King’s “On — Read More
What would you call your work shed?
When you envision your ideal creative space, what do you see? I see one room with a desk, a chair, and a stone fireplace. For some reason, I also see a daybed. This is probably because I love naps. The floors are old hardwood. It’s quiet. It’s desolate. If I look out the window, there is a — Read More
Inspiration
A while ago, a family friend asked, “Where do you get your ideas?” I shrugged. She pressed, “Well, what makes something worthy of you spending months and months turning it into a story?” I still had no answer. I think most writers, or creative people in general, would say inspiration is a mystery. Sometimes, a — Read More
Choosing your readers
As previously mentioned, writers are whores for feedback. While much of writing is a solo adventure, we do need dialogue. For some of us, we need that dialogue from the moment we put pen to paper; for me, it’s after I get a good ‘barf draft’ out of my system. Josh Weil, who was selected — Read More