Michael Hebler's Blog: and Fan Page - Posts Tagged "advice"
Crap Nobody Told Me When I Began Writing
I found this bullet point list floating around the webiverse and thought to share it because I agree with all of it. This is one of those "If I knew then what I know now" situations. Feel free to share as this is not my original list:
• Your early work will suck.
• Your later work, in its early drafts, will still suck.
• No one cares about your writing unless you’re at (or near) the top of the New York Times bestseller list.
• Seriously. You could win the Pulitzer in literature and your friends would be, like, “Yeah, she’s writing or something boring like that. What a waste of time.”
• You cannot please everyone.
• YOU CANNOT PLEASE EVERYONE. So don’t try.
• Write for yourself.
• Listening to ten other people means ten extra people in your head when you write.
• It’s worth repeating: Before you’re great, you will suck.
• You will latch onto words or phrases and repeat them throughout your work.
• The words and phrases you repeat will change over time.
• The habit of repeating shit will not.
• You may never feel good about what you write. Write anyway.
• It’s better to lack confidence. Shitty writers always think they’re great.
• Never let anyone tell you to stop doing what you love. EVER.
• The only “equipment” you need is a writing implement.
• Pen is nice because you can write on your body if you can’t find paper.
• Pencil is nice because it works in any weather
• You will never have time to write.
• If you’re a writer, that won’t stop you.
• We all crave validation. You may or may not get it. Write anyway.
• You need an editor.
• If you are an editor, you definitely need an editor.
• At the beginning, being edited hurts more than childbirth.
• After a couple months, being edited will feel more like a mosquito bite.
• Build a relationship with your editor and realize he has your best interests in mind.
• You’ll find out who your real friends are as soon as you publish your first book.
• Don’t work with a coach, editor, publisher or anyone else without a contract.
• Read the fucking contract and understand it before you sign it.
• You’re worth more than you may ever realize.
• Your story could save someone else.
• You will not get rich writing. Write anyway.
• Your early work will suck.
• Your later work, in its early drafts, will still suck.
• No one cares about your writing unless you’re at (or near) the top of the New York Times bestseller list.
• Seriously. You could win the Pulitzer in literature and your friends would be, like, “Yeah, she’s writing or something boring like that. What a waste of time.”
• You cannot please everyone.
• YOU CANNOT PLEASE EVERYONE. So don’t try.
• Write for yourself.
• Listening to ten other people means ten extra people in your head when you write.
• It’s worth repeating: Before you’re great, you will suck.
• You will latch onto words or phrases and repeat them throughout your work.
• The words and phrases you repeat will change over time.
• The habit of repeating shit will not.
• You may never feel good about what you write. Write anyway.
• It’s better to lack confidence. Shitty writers always think they’re great.
• Never let anyone tell you to stop doing what you love. EVER.
• The only “equipment” you need is a writing implement.
• Pen is nice because you can write on your body if you can’t find paper.
• Pencil is nice because it works in any weather
• You will never have time to write.
• If you’re a writer, that won’t stop you.
• We all crave validation. You may or may not get it. Write anyway.
• You need an editor.
• If you are an editor, you definitely need an editor.
• At the beginning, being edited hurts more than childbirth.
• After a couple months, being edited will feel more like a mosquito bite.
• Build a relationship with your editor and realize he has your best interests in mind.
• You’ll find out who your real friends are as soon as you publish your first book.
• Don’t work with a coach, editor, publisher or anyone else without a contract.
• Read the fucking contract and understand it before you sign it.
• You’re worth more than you may ever realize.
• Your story could save someone else.
• You will not get rich writing. Write anyway.
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