Comments on: Good advice

By: Lance Parkin

Lance Parkin — Mon, 02 May 2011 19:09:12 +0000

> I was told, “Write three pages in a journal everyday.” I
> feel it’s the best advice because a writer needs to
> generate verbiage – lots and lots of lots of verbiage

It’s the same as you can’t edit a blank page – it’s not a book until it’s words on a page.

I don’t know about ‘just write anything’ type advice. I’m acutely aware that as I’m typing this I’m not working on any of three things I’m meant to be working on today. I think, if you’re working on something, you keep writing and writing that thing, even if it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere (Kate Orman, a writer pal of mind calls this ‘Flintstoning’ after that bit where Fred’s in his car but only running on the spot). You can usually edit that down into *something*, or at least come to understand you’ve discovered one wrong way to do it.

Break things up into smaller blocks, set yourself goals, don’t get up/go online until you’ve finished that scene/description/bit of research.

Everyone’s different, and works in a different way. If writing a journal helps, do it. If it doesn’t, don’t get hung up on the idea you’re ‘meant’ to be doing that, do something else that does work.

By: Wanda B. Ontheshelves

Wanda B. Ontheshelves — Mon, 02 May 2011 16:46:13 +0000

I was told, “Write three pages in a journal everyday.” I feel it’s the best advice because a writer needs to generate verbiage – lots and lots of lots of verbiage – if you think of revision as compression, winnowing, reducing, distilling. Less and less and less and less.

By: Alli

Alli — Sun, 01 May 2011 00:06:38 +0000

Luplun, that is a fabulous story! Very cool.

Probably one of my favorites is “You can’t fix a blank page”.

By: Lance Parkin

Lance Parkin — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 02:01:49 +0000

‘It’s not about finding ways to get words on a page, it’s about finding ways to keep your bottom on the chair’.

and

‘Never take the deal with the smaller advance and the higher royalty rate’.

By: LupLun

LupLun — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 01:41:24 +0000

Favorite story of mine: Early in their careers, after one of their first gigs in the UK, The Ramones were taken to dinner by some of their local fans. One of the people at this impromptu party was a young Paul Simonen. Naturally, they get to talking about music, and Johnny Ramone asks Paul, “You in a band?”
“Yeah.” Paul says.
“What’s it called?”
“The Clash, but uhh… you never heard of us. We’ve never had a gig, we just practice.”
“Why not?”
“Well, uh… we’re not good enough.”
Johnny Ramone busts out laughing. “You’re not good enough? Did you see us up there? We stink, we’re lousy, we can’t play. Just get out there and do it!”

Sound advice for people in all professions. Skill can be learned, but motivation can’t. Have the courage to get up on stage and stink.