BEST WRITING ADVICE (PART THREE) : THE ALMIGHTY B-I-T-CH by Penny Hutson

 

If you’ve read (Part One) and (Part Two) of my “Best Writing Advice” blog series, then you know reading a lot and not looking back to edit the previous day’s work are tools I’ve used in completing first drafts. Today’s advice gets me started and keeps me creating. 

I’ll beg my readers’ pardon for the crude sounding acronym in my title, which merely stands for “butt in the chair.” It’s not a new expression, and you may have heard it before. I used it for the chuckle or laugh of recognition it might bring, but also because I find it fitting to the task. Let’s face it. Writing is hard, and often the hardest part is making yourself sit down and write. To stop whatever else you’re doing, get rid of any distractions, and just write can be a daunting task.

I have a friend who’s been developing a novel in her head for more than thirty years – true story. Eventually, she plans to write it down and publish it but insists she’s got to get the entire story just right before committing anything to paper. As you’ve likely guessed, she hasn’t written or published a single word. Perhaps that’s an extreme example, but many of us are doing some version of that. We’ll finish writing that mystery when we figure out who the killer should be, or we’ll start that new romance when we have an original storyline, better hook, or more interesting main character. The reasons are endless.

My advice this week is to just sit down and write, or start an outline, at least. I never get any writing done unless I’m sitting in front of the keyboard and typing. Others may use a pen and paper or voice recorder. Some may even create at a standing desk. It doesn’t matter how you write. It only matters that you do. Sure, we get ideas in the shower, while driving or doing something other than writing; but we must put the words down on the page (be it virtual or real ink) or they disappear.

And just for the record, no writer envisions an entire story or nonfiction piece with every detail in their head worked out ahead of time. The truth is that writing begets writing. Ideas bring more ideas, but you must write them down first. I can’t explain why this is true, just that our brains appear to work that way. You must write out your first thoughts, lines of dialogue, or descriptions before the next lines will come to you. If we spend too much time thinking, like my friend, it will take much longer to reach our writing goals or worse - we may never even finish.

BEST WRITING ADVICE (PART TWO) : DON’T LOOK BACK! By Penny Hutson

If you’ve read a good deal in the genre in which you plan to start writing, as I recommended in “Part One” of my “Best Writing Advice” series, then you’re ready to consider this next tip.

Never try to write a great or even good novel (or other piece of writing) on the first go-round. Even Hemmingway said, “The first draft of anything is shit.” While that’s a bit extreme not to mention a little vulgar, I get his point. Don’t try to write every line perfectly or worry too much about the final draft while you’re creating the first one. Not only will it take much longer to finish, but it can also get in the way of your creativity. Another drawback, especially if you do not have a very detailed outline, is that you may forget what you were planning to say next. Worse, you may never finish the piece. Trust me, I have files full of the beginnings of many good books.

BEST WRITING ADVICE (PART ONE) : REMEMBER THE THREE Rs - READ, READ, READ by Penny Hutson

 

Like many writers, I’ve received a ton of advice over the years from various sources, including other writers. Naturally, some were more useful than others. So, I’m beginning a series of the best writing advice that contributed directly to my own writing. I’ll cover one piece of advice in each blog and explain how I used it and/or the difference it made in my writing. I hope you find them useful.

The first one is that you must read a lot. And, according to famed novelist, Stephen King, “if you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write.”

I’m starting the series with this piece of advice because it seems the most logical. First, anyone can do it. No need to be an accomplished writer or have a completed draft. Secondly, it’s best done before you begin writing. If you want to write a gripping novel, for example, you’re not likely to be successful if you haven’t read a bunch of gripping novels beforehand.

There are always exceptions. However, as I used to tell my students, if they were one of them, they’d probably know it by now. It’s like thinking you can become a great chef or successful baker when you haven’t tasted any great dishes or baked goods. You’d have nothing to go on.

Writing is similar.

You must read a lot, but what you read can be just as essential. For instance, if you’ve haven’t read a young adult novel since you were one many years ago, don’t expect to create a good YA novel without reading some good ones first. Likewise, don’t try to write a memoir or self-help book without reading some in those genres.

My first manuscript was YA because I had spent the previous thirty years as a middle and high school librarian and English teacher. I read hundreds of YA books during that time, and I knew what kinds of stories were popular with young people. All of this informed my writing. I am certain I could not have written that story prior to my educational career. I simply would not have had the necessary tools. And if I continue to write YA books, guess what? I must keep reading the new ones coming out, so I can keep up with what’s popular now and changing in this genre.

So, if you want to be a good writer, don’t forget to do lots and lots of reading.