Writing Advice: What’s Bad and What’s Beneficial?
You hear a lot of suggestions as a writer. Suggestions from teachers, parents, friends, other writers . . . While some of this advice may be beneficial, a lot of it frankly won’t be. Here, I have compiled a list of some of the most common suggestions I’ve heard and whether they are worth your time to heed or are better disregarded.
Only write what you know.
Well, yes and no. On one hand, only writing what you have personally seen and experienced is extremely limiting. However, writing only what you know emotionally—that is valid. To craft a compelling, relatable story, you have to root it in authenticity. So if you know grief, write about grief. If you know joy, write about joy. If you know sorrow, love, anger, disappointment—write about that, in whatever scenario and setting your imagination can come up with.
Show don’t tell.
This one is completely true. I’ve had countless teachers and mentors tell me this, and it took me a while to really understand what it meant. Honestly, I still struggle with it. Ultimately, it means describing a scene rather than explaining it. Writing as if you’re painting. Don’t tell me the weather’s stormy. Show me the dark clouds and let me feel the biting wind. This will make it far easier for your reader to become engaged in your story.
Write consistently.
No. I mean yes, practice consistently. But write when inspiration hits. Don’t force it. Writing is not a nine-to-five career. For me, inspiration tends to hit when I’m lying in bed obsessing over problems or out on a hike in the middle of nowhere. Inspiration never does me the kind favor of hitting when I happen to be sitting at my computer trying to finish a scene. But it is in charge, so it can do what it wants.
Read, read, read.
Sure, if you enjoy it. I do not, however, attribute the same necessity to reading as a lot of writers do. The reason I started writing was because I was left wanting with a lot of the books and stories I read. So no, you do not have to be a voracious reader to be a good writer. There are other ways to learn and practice. And no, if you do want to read, you do not just have to read in your genre. Reading other genres will add complexity to your understanding of story, and consequently, to the stories you write.
Follow the rules, unless it makes sense not to.
This one I agree with. Consistency in grammar helps your writing to be easily digested. But, when it seems right, rebel a little. It’ll be good for you. Experiment. Explore. Make the story your own. As long as you have a good reason and a plan, anything goes.
So there you have it. Five pieces of advice to use or lose. Do what you will with them. Just don’t stop writing.