Or-
Writers and Artists—Burn
those “shoulds”
I was having a most
rewarding talk with a multi-published and lauded writer, and we found that, from my
modest perch and his lofty one, we came to see many of the writerly edicts as,
at best, helpful suggestions. Unfortunately some of these suggestions are
taught as indispensable commadments in creative writing classes, and repeated in interviews
by respected creatives.
Here is a summary of a few
of these suggestions, with a suggestion from me that if something is helpful to
you, keep and cherish it. But please, PLEASE— don’t parcel it out as a
commandment. We already have ten official ones, and many more unofficial ones,
taught at our parents’ knees.
1. WRITE EVERY DAY. It is
helpful for many, but in no way a measure of dedication or a predictor of good
work.
2. READ A LOT OF SIMILAR
BOOKS TO THE GENRE YOU ARE WRITING. I do the opposite, especially while working
on a first draft. I don’t want “voice seepage” or derivative plotting. But some
find that reading a lot of similar books revved their engines. Either is fine.
3. NEVER GIVE UP. You’re
welcome to give up. Many times. As often as you need to.
4. NEVER ASSUME YOUR WORK
WILL BE THE EXCEPTION THAT ALLOWS YOU TO BREAK “THE RULES.” This is true, and I
don’t suggest anyone be presumptive of anything. But if we didn’t have rule-benders
we would never break new ground, either.
5. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AND
YOUR WORK. That sounds nice and it is empowering. But I believe in something
bigger, and pray that I do the best work I can. Sometimes it isn’t all that, y’know.
If you believe in yourself that’s all right also.
6. IGNORE THIS BLOG POST AND
OTHER CURMUDGEONLY ONE LIKE IT. This, I’m afraid, I wholeheartedly agree with.
Be your own boss.
Hah! When I give a suggestion, it sounds like a command. I tell my students to steal 15 min a day to write ... anything. I think it has helped many to go on to develop even better writing habits than I have :)
ReplyDeleteI love best what Somerset Maugham wrote: There are three rules for writing the novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.
"Somerset Maugham wrote: There are three rules for writing the novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are."
Delete^Worth repeating :)
Refreshing reminder! Some of the great classics were written before there were rules. How did those writers ever get their books written without rules? :-)
ReplyDeleteRules can be good reminders but writers should never let rules inhibit them. Of course that doesn't mean you should aim to break them all either. ;)
ReplyDeleteI love this, Mirka. And exactly what I needed to hear today. Thanks, as always, for your wisdom!
ReplyDeleteWhen I started writing seriously I devoured "rule" books and they all seemed to contradict each other and finally had to make choices. I used what I personally felt was right and tossed the rest. Love the Somerset Maugham quote!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Catherine. When I started writing, I read so many books about writers and writing. Some of it stayed with me, but I can't tell you what those points are. The suggestions that became the habits I developed simply are part of me now. But they, too, change over time.
DeleteHaha, these are great! I especially like #3 as I have given up many times on one thing (writing) to pursue something better (raising my children) when I couldn't manage both at once.
ReplyDeleteSome very sage advice on this list!! If I ever get my book started I'll refer back to it..lol
ReplyDeleteOne thing that bugs me when I'm reading is that I can't forget the writing "rules," and I'm bothered when I see that the author has "broken" them, which often does seem to affect my enjoyment of the book.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post, Mirka. And I agree with you, Jan. Before I learned so much about what "good" writing is, I used to be able to enjoy books more than I do now. It's hard to turn off my inner critiquer.
ReplyDelete