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The Real Writer – A Do’s and Don’ts Guide #6

January 8, 2013

Admin Real Writer Authors, Books, Constructive Feedback, Criticism, Critique, Do's and Don'ts, Emerging Authors, Honest Opinion, Manuscript Appraisal, Negative Feedback, Real Writer, Self-Awareness, Writing, Writing Books Leave a comment

Real writers do recognize real criticism.

Emerging authors: Someone saying your story is great rather than garbage is more preferable, yes?

For about ten minutes, it is. After that, you’re pretty much left with the same lingering question: “How come?”

Truly worthy criticism doesn’t leave that poser unanswered: in an ideal writing world, an author’s ear would only ever be attuned to constructive feedback; the hater guff and airhead fluff would be as comprehensible as Charlie Brown’s teacher. Alas, this is not Utopia – attempts to kick a literary goal often get foiled by a swift-handed Lucy – so it falls on the writer to identify useful opinions of his/her work. Easier said than done when it’s your heart and soul laid bare on the page.

The Real Writer – A Do’s and Don’ts Guide #5

October 30, 2012

Admin Real Writer Authors, Books, Do's and Don'ts, Emerging Authors, Real Writer, Turning Up, Word Counts, Write Every Day, Writing, Writing Books, Writing In Your Head Leave a comment

We’ve finished the four Don’ts – time now to have a look at the corresponding Do’s. First up:

Real writers do the trade every day.

Any number of author voices more resonant than mine have extolled the virtues of turning up. Stephen King advocated “bum glue”. Jane Yolen referred to “exercising the writing muscle”. Lawrence Kasdan suggested “being a writer is like having homework every night for the rest of your life”. No doubt engaging with your story on a daily basis is a must. But what’s the deal for emerging authors: the folks who are chasing creativity behind jobs and kids and mortgages and slush piles and rejection slips, whose days are invariably full while their pages are often empty?

The Real Writer – A Do’s and Don’ts Guide #4

October 10, 2012

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Real writers don’t leave work unfinished.

During my emerging author days, a noted publishing industry insider told me: “You’d be amazed at the number of writers you get ahead of just by finishing.” Another informed me: “There is only one truism in publishing – if you never finish the story, you’ll never see the book.” Finishing is important, just as important as starting. And many argue it’s a lot tougher than its ‘creative honeymoon’ counterpart.

The Real Writer – A Do’s and Don’ts Guide #3

September 5, 2012

Admin Real Writer Authors, Books, Do's and Don'ts, Emerging Authors, No Excuses, Novels, Real Writer, Rejections, Writing, Writing Books, Writing Novels, Writing Workshops Leave a comment

Real writers don’t make excuses.

People have told me I have a lot of ‘life’ excuses to not write. I have a beautiful wife. I have two wondrous kids, one of whom has autism. I enjoy time with friends and family. I work. I have a mortgage. I am the ultimate armchair sports fan. I never turn down a beer. I have an unhealthy fondness for karaoke.

The Real Writer – A Do’s and Don’ts Guide #2

August 30, 2012

Admin Real Writer Authors, Books, Do's and Don'ts, Emerging Authors, Inspiration, Real Writer, The Muse, Waiting for the Muse, Writing, Writing Books, Writing Workshops Leave a comment

Real writers don’t wait for the muse.

Waiting for inspiration doesn’t make you deep or interesting or cool. And it doesn’t make you a writer.

It makes you a waiter.

And if you’re a waiter, you’re serving someone else or no one at all. You’re certainly not serving yourself.

The Real Writer – A Do’s and Don’ts Guide #1

August 28, 2012

Admin Real Writer Authors, Books, Do's and Don'ts, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Emerging Authors, Real Writer, Robert Louis Stevenson, Starting A Book, Writing, Writing Books, Writing Workshops 3 Comments

Many emerging authors ask me what it takes to be a ‘real writer’. Is it writing a novel, getting a degree, finding an agent? Is it getting published, winning an award, making a living? My reply is always a much simpler proposition: is writing what you do? Not what you like, or what you want. What you do.

To help you determine if you’re a real writer, I’ve compiled a guide of four do’s and don’ts of the trade. Over the next few weeks, I’ll examine each in some detail. First up – one of my favourite ‘don’t’s:

Real writers don’t talk about how they’ll write a book one day.