Ask the Author: Stephen R. Burns
Answered Questions (3)
Stephen R. Burns
Be patient, read, and put in the time. That sounds cliche, I know, but the only way to become a good writer is to write. A lot. There really is no such thing as "overnight success" in this industry. It is a craft that needs to be honed over the years.
In his book, On Writing, Stephen King suggests that a writer must spend 4-6 hours a day reading a writing, and they should be producing at least 1000 words a day. (If they aren't editing.) I have followed that advice for nearly twenty years.
The other suggestion I'd make to young writers is to find either an established author or editor to give them guidance. Writing groups are excellent for support, but if you're only working with people who are at a similar level to your own, it will take a lot longer to improve.
(Shameless plug: I double as a professional editor and offer ten free pages of editing -- no strings -- to any young writer who would like help. Simply email me at stephenrburns@gmail.com if you'd like me to take a look.)
And lastly, I'd say that you have to learn to love constructive criticism. All writing is re-writing, and if you don't learn to not only handle it, but love it, it will be a difficult journey. Writing is very personal, regardless of the topic or type, but in this, we have to learn to get past the feeling that someone is criticizing you as a person and not your work. If you can do that, and if you're willing to put in the time every day, you'll get better.
In his book, On Writing, Stephen King suggests that a writer must spend 4-6 hours a day reading a writing, and they should be producing at least 1000 words a day. (If they aren't editing.) I have followed that advice for nearly twenty years.
The other suggestion I'd make to young writers is to find either an established author or editor to give them guidance. Writing groups are excellent for support, but if you're only working with people who are at a similar level to your own, it will take a lot longer to improve.
(Shameless plug: I double as a professional editor and offer ten free pages of editing -- no strings -- to any young writer who would like help. Simply email me at stephenrburns@gmail.com if you'd like me to take a look.)
And lastly, I'd say that you have to learn to love constructive criticism. All writing is re-writing, and if you don't learn to not only handle it, but love it, it will be a difficult journey. Writing is very personal, regardless of the topic or type, but in this, we have to learn to get past the feeling that someone is criticizing you as a person and not your work. If you can do that, and if you're willing to put in the time every day, you'll get better.
Stephen R. Burns
Currently I'm hard at work on the first draft of WINTER, which is due out in the Spring of 2017, the second Tommy and Kallie novel. I'm also working on a final read-aloud edit of CITY OF SLAVES, which comes out April 6, 2016, and the fifth edit of STORMS, a prequel that is due out Dec 2, 2016.
"Find something you love, and you'll never work a day in your life"
"Find something you love, and you'll never work a day in your life"
Stephen R. Burns
I don't actually believe in writer's block. Bestselling author Ted Dekker says that writer's block is rooted in fear, and I tend to agree with him. I think writers can suffer fatigue, particularly when the emotional parts of their life are pulling them in different directions. Writing fiction requires empathy, which requires emotion. If your personal life is bleeding you dry, than it can be difficult to create.
Otherwise, I'd suggest it's a fear of writing badly. The blank page can be intimidating. We want to write well, right away. This is natural. It is also impossible. Writing is re-writing. The best way to avoid writer's block is to write quickly. Get the story out as fast as you can. Once you've laid the foundation, you can go back and edit it more slowly. There's a chance that the story may not pan out, for a variety of reasons. In that case, cut it off and start again. Give yourself permission to write crap, and instead of being intimidated by the blank page, be encouraged by the possibilities. :)
Otherwise, I'd suggest it's a fear of writing badly. The blank page can be intimidating. We want to write well, right away. This is natural. It is also impossible. Writing is re-writing. The best way to avoid writer's block is to write quickly. Get the story out as fast as you can. Once you've laid the foundation, you can go back and edit it more slowly. There's a chance that the story may not pan out, for a variety of reasons. In that case, cut it off and start again. Give yourself permission to write crap, and instead of being intimidated by the blank page, be encouraged by the possibilities. :)
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