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| Lynn Lovegreen, featured author |
I recently heard some great
writing advice at the Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference. Here’s my two cents on
what writers need to know:
writing advice at the Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference. Here’s my two cents on
what writers need to know:
1. Forget
the “rules.” You hear a lot of rules when you start writing: Don’t
use adverbs. Don’t use flashbacks. Always write every day. Always get an agent
early in your career. (Or the flip side of that, always self-publish if you
don’t find a publisher right away.) Those are good tips, for many people. But
you have to do what’s right for you. And everyone has a different writing style
and a different journey in their writing life. So don’t worry too much about
the rules. Find what works for you.
the “rules.” You hear a lot of rules when you start writing: Don’t
use adverbs. Don’t use flashbacks. Always write every day. Always get an agent
early in your career. (Or the flip side of that, always self-publish if you
don’t find a publisher right away.) Those are good tips, for many people. But
you have to do what’s right for you. And everyone has a different writing style
and a different journey in their writing life. So don’t worry too much about
the rules. Find what works for you.
2. Read. A
lot. You may not be aware of it at times, but reading books (or poetry or
whatever strikes your fancy) is a great way to absorb lessons in good writing.
Plus, it is good to know what’s already published out there. And of course, it
will remind you of what you love about books in the first place. So read as
much as you can.
lot. You may not be aware of it at times, but reading books (or poetry or
whatever strikes your fancy) is a great way to absorb lessons in good writing.
Plus, it is good to know what’s already published out there. And of course, it
will remind you of what you love about books in the first place. So read as
much as you can.
3. Write. A lot. Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers
popularized the idea that you have to practice something for 10,000 hours to
become an expert in the field. I think there’s some truth to that. To become an
accomplished writer, be prepared to put many, many hours into it, and really
practice the craft of writing.
popularized the idea that you have to practice something for 10,000 hours to
become an expert in the field. I think there’s some truth to that. To become an
accomplished writer, be prepared to put many, many hours into it, and really
practice the craft of writing.
4. Take your writing seriously. No one,
including your family and friends, will take your writing seriously until you
do. Make it a priority in your life, make it clear to others that you do, and
you will find the time, motivation, and the perseverance needed to keep
writing.
including your family and friends, will take your writing seriously until you
do. Make it a priority in your life, make it clear to others that you do, and
you will find the time, motivation, and the perseverance needed to keep
writing.
5. Write what you love. I started writing Fools
Gold in 2006 and (with a few writing breaks and interruptions) got it
polished, edited, and published in 2013. I stuck with it because I love my
characters, Ellie, Duke, and Billy. If I’d written a certain book because it
was the latest fad, I would have become bored with it, and it never would have
been published. I stuck with it because I write what I love.
Gold in 2006 and (with a few writing breaks and interruptions) got it
polished, edited, and published in 2013. I stuck with it because I love my
characters, Ellie, Duke, and Billy. If I’d written a certain book because it
was the latest fad, I would have become bored with it, and it never would have
been published. I stuck with it because I write what I love.
Of course, I advise you to go
back to #1, and only follow the tips that make sense for you. Whether you
follow my tips or throw them all out the window, I wish you the best of luck
and many hours of happy writing. Thanks for reading my post!
back to #1, and only follow the tips that make sense for you. Whether you
follow my tips or throw them all out the window, I wish you the best of luck
and many hours of happy writing. Thanks for reading my post!
A big thanks to 49 Writers for hosting me on this
blog, and for all the work they do to educate and inspire writers and readers.
This group is an integral part of the Alaska writing community, and the world
would be different without their contributions. (And if you haven’t joined or
given a donation lately, I encourage you to do that. No, they didn’t ask me to
say this!) J
blog, and for all the work they do to educate and inspire writers and readers.
This group is an integral part of the Alaska writing community, and the world
would be different without their contributions. (And if you haven’t joined or
given a donation lately, I encourage you to do that. No, they didn’t ask me to
say this!) J
Featured author Lynn Lovegreen grew up in Alaska, and still lives there. She taught English for 20 years before retiring to make more time for writing. She enjoys reading, hanging out with friends and family, and hitting targets with a cowboy action shooting club. Her young adult historical romances are set in the Alaska Gold Rush, a great time for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Tumblr, and Pinterest.