Tuesday
Feb232010
Famous Authors Share their Rules for Writing
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
The Guardian recently interviewed several well-known, published writers – such as Joyce Carol Oates and Helen Dunmore – and asked their "Ten Rules for Writing Fiction." The result is over 200 writing tips and industry "dos and don'ts." While some are generic responses (i.e. "get a thesaurus" or "beware of cliches"), a few hold substantial, applicable weight...
A few of my favorite excerpts:
Helen Dunmore: "Finish the day writing when you still want to continue."
Anne Enright: "Remember, if you sit at your desk for 15 or 20 years, every day, not counting weekends, it changes you. It just does. It may not improve your temper, but it fixes something else. It makes you more free."
Richard Ford: "Don't wish ill on your colleagues."
AL Kennedy: "Be without fear. This is impossible, but let the small fears drive your rewriting and set aside the large ones until they behave – then use them, maybe even write them. Too much fear and all you'll get is silence."
Esther Freud: "Don't wait for inspiration. Discipline is the key."
Hilary Mantel: "If you get stuck, get away from your desk. Take a walk, take a bath, go to sleep, make a pie, draw, listen to music, meditate, exercise; whatever you do, don't just stick there scowling at the problem. But don't make telephone calls or go to a party; if you do, other people's words will pour in where your lost words should be. Open a gap for them, create a space. Be patient."
Will Self: "Always carry a notebook. And I mean always. The short-term memory only retains information for three minutes; unless it is committed to paper you can lose an idea for ever."
Read the full Guardian article here.
Reader Comments (7)
I whole heartedly agree with Will Self's statement. I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to kick myself because I haven't had a notebook or journal on me and then lost an idea or words or a sentence.
Thanks for commenting on my blog. I read your profile, what a fun life! I've been to some of those places, but definitely not ALL! I love my Boston!!
You're a great writer, but an amazing photographer, to boot. What kind of camera do you have? I'd love to get my hands on a new one, so I can hopefully get some better pics of my life. :)
Penny - I've definitely been in that spot, too! I've started recording voice memos on my iPhone when I'm walking somewhere ... very "Adaptation" like, ha.
Ashley - Thanks for your sweet comment! I actually just got a new camera last month, and I LOVE it. It's a Canon 12.2 MP Rebel XSi Digital SLR. I've been taking a few online classes, but check out The Pioneer Woman's blog- she is a fabulous photographer and gives lots of helpful tips on capturing high-quality shots with an SLR.
Love the writing inspiration!
All my best,
Annika
I loved this post! I agree with Pen.ny on the Will self's statement! Such a great blog! :)