*
Last April we played a fun do and don't game here on this blog. It is in regards to what we have learned in our journey as writers. I really felt inspired by what some of you shared that day. So, I wanted to play that game again today.
Think of one Do and one Don't and leave it in the comments.
It can be about anything at all ... writing, life, friendship - you choose!
Then, on Friday, I'll compile them all into a summary post.
I'll go first:
DO: let your readers feel smart. Leave some room for them to figure out where your story is going without spelling out every single detail.
DON'T: be too hard on yourself. Someday we will look back and understand the whys of our journey. For now, we must have a little faith.
Who'll play with me?
*
38 comments:
DO: Pat yourself on the back from time to time.
DON'T: Eat the whole bag of chocolate chips when you have writers block. You'll just have to make it up on the treadmill. Trust me. I know. =)
DO: Allow yourself to get disorganized or have a ten minute meltdown.
Don't: Listen to Carolyn V, eat the damn chocolate chips and savor them. I buy the Reese's ones, they are damn good!
Do: Express your voice in the query.
Don't: Express your voice by showing up at agent's offices uninvited to give them your query.
Do: Be authentic, people want to get to know who you are too, not just what you write.
Don't: Be afraid to reach out to online writerly buddies. They may be closer than you think!
Do: read widely both in and outside your genre
Don't: Worry about trends
Do: Hunt for that detail that will make the moment you're describing authentic.
Don't: Deny yourself chocolate. Ever.
Dominique! So funny... that was a great post by Nathan.
DO: Give yourself permission to follow your instincts.
DON'T: Give up.
Do: Listen to the advice of other writers/readers
Don't: Ignore your own voice and direction for your story.
Basically, be wise and be true. =]
DO: Buy that ugly lamp that only you can appreciate.
DON'T: Pretend not to know someone just because no one else likes them.
DO: Let your characters live and breathe and be who they are, even when it gets in the way of your well-planned plot.
DON'T: Let life get in the way of your writing. Make a date with your manuscript and keep it!
Do: Let yourself take a break from life every now and again.
Don't: Take a permanent break. Persistence really is the key to success.
Okay, this is a very cute idea! Can't wait to see the final posting. :)
DO: Your homework. Whether it's research for your story or about which agent you should query, it's always worth the extra time.
DON'T: Be afraid to ask questions. It's one of the best ways to find out what you don't know.
Do: laugh hard and often.
Don't: pick your teeth stuck with pretzels in public.
Guess I didn't feel like writing something on writing b/c edits are mean.
~ Wendy
Do: take time for yourself, every day, and do nothing.
Don't: no matter what your friends say, get up on the bar to dance after a night of heavy duty margarita drinking . . . especially when friends have video on their phones.
Ha! LOVE these
Do: Write like mad
Don't: Ignore higher priorities
Do: Know your work will improve as long as you put the effort in
Don't: expect things to happen overnight...or even overdecade
Do: Take advantage of a snow day to write in pj's!
Don't: Ignore the natives too long or the house will never recover.
Congratulations on selling your book!!!
Have a good one!
Oh, these are AWESOME. What a great idea, Tess!
DO: Get feedback on your work from critique partners
DON'T write by committee. You can't please everyone. You need to trust your gut.
Do: Read your books to your kids. They're your audience after all.
Don't: Include a four-headed zombie with laser guns built into his palms because your son says it will make your MG chick-lit 'funnier'.
DO: Get annual skin exams at the dermatologist.
DON'T: Forget about others.
Do: Enjoy meeting people in the writing community.
Don't: Ignore the physical people around you. Especially your family. :)
Excellent game!
Do: laugh everyday.
Don't: assume everyone's out to get you.
:)
I love this Tess. How fun!
Do: look on the bright side, even when you don't wanna!
Don't: stop eating chocolate of any kind. Especially Jonathon's chocolate chips. =)
Love all the answers so far. Let's see:
Do: Take time every day to just be quiet and listen.
Don't: Pass up an opportunity to make someone smile.
DO: Allow your immagination to sweep you away to amazing worlds filled with interesting characters and heartstopping adventures.
DON'T: Get forget the way back.
Do: Help your friends when you can.
Don't: Give up.
Do: bribe children with skittles. They work wonders when potty training.
Don't: bribe agents with skittles tossed in the query packet. It's generally frowned upon.
Do: Be gentle with yourself on your journey in motherhood, writing, life.
Don't: Overdose on too much chocolate. It brings on headaches and tummyaches.
Do give it all you have.
Don't ever give up.
Do take time to rest and be still. Creativity happens in quiet moments.
Don't forget who you are or deny your muse.
DO make sure you point out all the great things in a piece you're critiquing along with giving advice.
DON'T give the puppy your best diversionary treat to catch up on blogging and then have nothing for when it's time to write. :)
Do: Draw inspiration from real life. Listen and observe.
Don't: Be afraid to fail. Sometimes an entire manuscript needs to be shelved. Try again.
Darn, I was going to try the Skittle thing in my next query.
Do: use Beta readers
Don't: be afraid to delete and rewrite
Do: Take time to notice and laugh at the ironies of life.
Don't: Try to edit right after you finish writing (or at least keep a hard copy) because you may edit the heart and soul out of your work.
Do have faith
dont give up
You'll just have to make it up on the treadmill. Trust me.
Work from home India
Post a Comment