Writing Advice

People have been after me to write a blog for some time. I’ve demurred—I’m too busy; I’m not glib enough; I’m not sure what to say (or not say). But here goes. You’ve been warned.

From time to time I’m asked, by strangers, students, colleagues and friends, for advice about writing. My responses (after “What do I know?):

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Read. Read good stuff. Read widely, even things you think you won’t like. Make it a challenge. Read more.

Write a little bit every day. The hardest part for me is getting it down to begin with. Start, even if it’s crap. Even if it’s just a sentence. Begin.

Revise. Revise again. Again and again and again and again. You can tell who does and who doesn’t. Try setting it aside and picking it back up after a week, a month, a year. You’ll be surprised by yourself.

Finish. I can’t tell you the number of people who’ve told me: “I’ve got three chapters of a novel written…” Just get it done.

One thing to avoid, if you can: sex. Not the act, but the writing about it, even if you’re very, very good. Most writers aren’t—that’s why there’s a Bad Sex in Fiction award. Be forewarned.

Another thing to avoid, or at least by hyper-aware of: humor. Humorous writing is great—in fact, it’s one of my favorite things about a book. It’s also hard to do. Few things are worse than a book that tries to be funny and isn’t. I rarely quit on a book, but I’ve tossed more than a few that just don’t hit the humor meter with me.

Enjoy yourself, if you can. No one is pushing you but you.