August 2009
36 posts
36. Make 'em worry.
35. Make notes.
You will forget that brilliant idea.
34. Don't be afraid to offend someone.
Fuck you.
33. Don't use the exclamation point.
It’s like laughing at your own joke.
32. Unless you're writing in first person, never...
You think it’s cute and clever, but really it’s annoying and breaks the illusion your creating.
31. Write a story, not a theme.
The theme will take care of itself.
30. Depression does not lead to quality work.
Unless you fought in the Spanish Civil War.
29. Stop reading, start writing.
28. Be concise.
27. If you don't need it, cut it.
Especially if it’s boring.
26. Skip the prologue.
25. Show if it's worth showing, but don't be...
24. Write what you want, but keep in mind that you...
23. Tie up your ends.
Unless you write for Heroes, then you’re fucked.
22. Consistency.
21. Write what you know.
20. Make it weirder.
19. Stick with "said."
18. Same goes for adverbs.
17. Adjectives do not equal strong writing.
*coughtwilightcough*
16. Don't wait for inspiration.
Muses are attracted to hard work.
15. Take a break.
14. Want something.
13. Idea journals are just an excuse not to write.
12. Good writers copy, great writers steal.
-me
11. Don't talk about it.
10. Write letters.
It’s good practice and everyone loves real mail.
9. Drop the thesaurus.
See Rule 8
8. Use your voice.
The readers trust you, not the person you’re pretending to be.
7. Write in private.
The guy in Starbucks only wants to look like a writer.
6. Play God.
5. Don't be sentimental.
No one wants to read your love letters.
4. Break the rules.
3. Learn the basics before you break the rules.
2. Let your character's tone build their...
”I like a lot of talk in a book and I don’t like to have nobody tell me what the guy that’s talking looks like. I want to figure out what he looks like from the way he talks… . figure out what the guy’s thinking from what he says. I like some description but not too much of that… . Sometimes I want a book to break loose with a bunch of hooptedoodle… . Spin...
1. If it sounds like writing, rewrite it.