Alexandra Burt
Glad you asked! Here are my ten rules:
1. Keep putting words on a page. By any means necessary. Do not wait for the right moment. Leave the room, leave the table, leave it all behind for the perfect sentence, excuse yourself, and say: "I have to go write this down." Stories long to be written. Why not by you?
2. Choose your words wisely. Choose words that contain weight and rhythm. Nudge the world, push it off its axis. You have paper and pencils; why not raise hell.
3. Write every day. Write on paper, on napkins, on your hand if you have to. Open your veins and drain your life on paper. The rewards are infinite.
4. Write even if you do not feel like writing. Write especially if you do not feel like writing. If writer's block cannot knock you off your tracks, nothing will.
5. Believe in yourself. Tell the Horsemen of the Apocalypse, the haters, the critical people who have nothing positive to add to your writing - to get lost. Use stronger words. Use them with conviction. You will emerge victoriously.
6. Don't make it your goal to see your book on a shelf; try to move the stars, the moon, and the sun. Give it your all and every word will shine.
7. Forget everything you have ever learned; it is all a lie. Blaze your own trail, part the seas, climb the mountains.
8. Read, read, read. And read some more.
9. Be humble.
10. Write without pay until someone is willing to pay.
1. Keep putting words on a page. By any means necessary. Do not wait for the right moment. Leave the room, leave the table, leave it all behind for the perfect sentence, excuse yourself, and say: "I have to go write this down." Stories long to be written. Why not by you?
2. Choose your words wisely. Choose words that contain weight and rhythm. Nudge the world, push it off its axis. You have paper and pencils; why not raise hell.
3. Write every day. Write on paper, on napkins, on your hand if you have to. Open your veins and drain your life on paper. The rewards are infinite.
4. Write even if you do not feel like writing. Write especially if you do not feel like writing. If writer's block cannot knock you off your tracks, nothing will.
5. Believe in yourself. Tell the Horsemen of the Apocalypse, the haters, the critical people who have nothing positive to add to your writing - to get lost. Use stronger words. Use them with conviction. You will emerge victoriously.
6. Don't make it your goal to see your book on a shelf; try to move the stars, the moon, and the sun. Give it your all and every word will shine.
7. Forget everything you have ever learned; it is all a lie. Blaze your own trail, part the seas, climb the mountains.
8. Read, read, read. And read some more.
9. Be humble.
10. Write without pay until someone is willing to pay.
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