As a writer, I have been given a fair share of writing advice. Some I've taken to heart, some I've let go in one ear and out the other. Here are some of my favorite pieces of writing advice that I've been given. These little nuggets of advice have helped me in my writing, and I hope they might help you.
Write what you love
Write the stories you love to tell, not the stories you think people want. I know for myself, it can be tempting to write what I think will sell or what I think will get me the most readers. You have unique stories to tell. Write the story you wish you could read, or one that makes your heart happy. Here's the thing, if you're not writing what you love, then writing becomes a chore. Let yourself have fun. Chances are, if you like the story you're writing, someone else out there will, too.
Don't be afraid of tropes
This ties into writing what you love. You don't have to avoid using popular tropes. They are tropes because they work. If written correctly, tropes keep readers hooked, and as a writer, I find it fun to put my own spin on them. Tropes only become cliche when done incorrectly, so use them correctly. I know, that is something that is easier said than done, but it's important.
Don't be afraid to break tropes
While tropes are great and fun to incorporate into your work, don't feel like you have to use them. Break them if you want. Don't be afraid to write something that is new and fresh. But, when in doubt, know you have those tropes to fall back on. Sometimes blueprints are good, and sometimes they're not. The key is knowing when to use them and when to shatter them, and that's something only you can decide.
Read constantly
If you're a writer, you are probably also a reader. That's a good thing. Studies show that those who read more are generally more creative and have more inspiration than those who don't. Reading is good for the brain, especially as a writer. You get to see those tropes in action, find things that may inspire your writings, and at the very least you may find what not to do. I had a writing professor once suggest that as writers, we should be reading at least four hours a day. While I generally don't have time for that, I find reading for at least an hour a day makes me more excited to write. Seeing other people succeed, makes me feel like I can also succeed.
Write everyday
This may seem like a no brainer but, if you want to write, then you need to write. This is something I am still working on in my own life. Writing is a craft that you perfect by writing. The more you write, the better writer you'll be. Sometimes you have to learn through doing. As someone who deals with imposter syndrome and anxiety a lot, I find that the more I write on my own, the more confident I feel in my ability to write. As they always say, practice makes perfect.
Let yourself have crappy drafts
This is probably one of the best pieces of writing advice I have ever been given, it's probably one of the the hardest things for me to apply to my life as well. I'm a perfectionist when it comes to my writing. I want everything to be great on the first go. I also have the tendency to forget that I can change things. My keyboard has this handy little key called "delete" where I can delete words and rearrange things, but sometimes its hard to use it. I've learned that sometimes the most important thing is to get the words out onto the page. I try to keep myself from editing or changing what I write. I let it be less than perfect. Then, a few hours later, I'll go back to edit and polish it. Doing this takes the pressure off of writing. I can focus on the story and not the mechanics.
What are some of your favorite pieces of writing advice? Let me know in the comments!
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