Thursday, February 11, 2010

Your Wisdom Shared

Fantastic Do's and Don'ts were posted on Wednesday. You guys are really insightful! Here's the compilation of the do's:

DO:

pat yourself on the back from time to time

allow yourself to get disorganized or have a ten minute meltdown

express your voice in the query

be authentic, people want to get to know who you are not just what you write

read widely both in and outside your genre

hunt for that detail that will make the moment you are describing authentic

give yourself permission to follow your instincts

listen to the advice of other writers and readers

buy that ugly lamp only you can appreciate

let your characters live and breath and be who they are even when it gets in the way of plot

let yourself take a break from life every now and then

your homework...if it's research for your story or about which agent to query it is worth the extra time

laugh hard and often

take time for yourself every day and do nothing

write like mad

know your work will improve as long as you put the effort in

take advantage of a snow day to write in pj's

get feedback on your work from critique partners

read books to your kids - they are your audience after all

get annual skin exams

enjoy meeting people in the writing community

laugh everyday

look on the bright side, even when you don't wanna

take time every day to just be quiet and listen

allow your imagination to sweep you away to amazing worlds filled with interesting characters and heart stopping adventures

help your friends when you can

bribe children with skittles. they work wonders with potty training

be gentle with yourself on your journey in motherhood, writing and life

give it all you have

take time to rest and be still. - creativity happens in quiet moments

make sure to point out all the great things in a piece you are critiquing along with giving advice

draw inspiration from real life. listen and observe

use beta readers

take time to notice and laugh at the ironies of life



wow...that's advice worth giving some thought. There was a 'Don't' for everyone of these 'Do's' but this post is might long. So, lets stew on these and I'll post the don'ts next time.



Happy Weekend All!

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow. A lot of really smart people, huh? Thanks for compiling this, Tess!

Anonymous said...

Cool post :)

Susan Fields said...

Thanks for the great post, Tess - you have a happy weekened, too!

Mary Aalgaard said...

Thanks! Words to live (and write) by.

Wendy Paine Miller said...

Everyone needs to carry a list like that in their purse (or maybe just women...men might not want to carry a purse).

Happy Friday,
~ Wendy

Tabitha Bird said...

Now that is a GREAT list! I should print it and post it by my computer!

Michelle said...

We're patting you on the back too! The Slushbusters nominated you for a Sunshine Award. :)

Kristen Torres-Toro said...

This is awesome, Tess! So inspiring!

storyqueen said...

Ah Tess, it just made me feel all warm inside. I found myself shouting a silent YES! to each of them. (Except the lamp...)

Shelley

B.J. Anderson said...

Love the list! :D

Paul Greci said...

Thanks, Tess.

Davin Malasarn said...

What a fun post!

Jennifer Shirk said...

I love little reminders like this.

Happy V-day!

Corey Schwartz said...

Fabulous list! I feel inspired :)

Lisa Miles said...

What an inspiring list. I love it!

* said...

Love this. Your blog continues to be a wealth of inspiration, a fountain of hope, and always a smile.

Thanks, Tess.

Jackee said...

DO... have a great weekend too. (And thanks for compiling these!)

PJ Hoover said...

OMg, I love this compilation! It's so fun and great to read!

Carolyn V. said...

Tess, I love the do's! What a great list! =)

dellgirl said...

What a great list, Tess. Thanks for posting it. This is just what I need. I am seriously taking these two to heart:
- allow yourself to get disorganized or have a ten minute meltdown

- buy that ugly lamp only "I" admire

Have a nice weekend!

jdsanc said...

Tess, I love this. I have a list in our bathroom about living a healthy life. Love lists. When I was a court reporter I had a post it on my machine that where I write little notes to myself, smile, relax, breath. I love how those little notes ground us.
So thank you. I'm printing this all-inclusive one:)

Kate Karyus Quinn said...

Aw, I love these! This needs to be printed out and posted on my wall!

kanishk said...

A lot of really smart people, huh? Thanks for compiling this,

Work from home India