The best advice I ever got about writing is something I always pass along to others. Unfortunately, I'm not sure who said it to me first, since I've had some wonderful mentors along the way... or maybe I heard it initially at a meeting of the Romance Writers of America. I've heard it a lot since the first time, in any event.
What is it? If you're a writer, write. Just do it.
It can be said in many other ways, too: Find the time and place. Believe in yourself. Even if it takes you a while to hone your writing and sell it, you're still a writer.
I had both good and mediocre luck as a fiction writer starting out. My first published fiction won a national award: a short story that won the Robert L. Fish Memorial Award for best first mystery short story of the year. I had several more stories published in ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE, and then nothing for a while. I worked on novels and have the proverbial dozen under the bed before I sold the first.
But I kept on writing and finally did start selling. So my additional advice: no matter what stage you're in, never stop!
What stage is your writing... and do you think you'd stop for any reason?
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4 comments:
We're all glad you persevered, Linda, and what a long list you have!
I try to keep excuses to a minimum! On the one hand, writing is "creative" and requires inspiration, but on the other it's a "job" and a commitment and needs to be done under whatever conditions -- so, yes, that was great advice. Just write!
Everybody is looking for a magic answer, but it really comes down to just do it.
Thanks, Camille. I think it's a good idea to try to set up a schedule so the creative side of one's mind can prepare itself to get creative!
If anyone comes up with magic answers, I'd love to hear them, Betty!
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