Per the norm, I’ve spent a lot of time digging through words this November (thank you, NaNoWriMo). And everywhere you turn, someone has some grand advice on how to write. They’re all these well thought-out articles, outlining 100-odd tips and tricks on “how to be a good writer” that you’re expected to trudge through (ironic, since that time could be better spent writing). So I’m offering my own advice. Ready?
1. Read.
2. Write.
That’s it.
You’ll notice I put “read” first. This is important. You can read all the “how to” guides you want, but you won’t learn anything unless you’re a reader yourself. What’s out there? What do you like; what works? An aspiring writer who can’t make the time to read is going to be a crap writer. Consider it doing your research. You wouldn’t write a research paper without research, right?
Besides, reading is a lot of fun. Take my word for it.
The best writing advice anyone can offer is start writing. I don’t care what it is. Update a blog, write fanfiction, write angst-ridden poetry that you’d never show your parents out of sheer embarrassment. Point is, if you don’t start writing, you’re never going to be a writer.
And most importantly? Do it every day. I know it’s hard, and it’s intimidating, but we don’t care about those things. If you don’t write, you won’t improve, and then you’ll never publish your Great American Novel (or whatever country you reside in).
So stop wasting time on my blog already and get started.
Agreed!
woot! *fistbump*