I'm about to give you the best advice ever.
TRUST YOURSELF
You know how you write best. Blogs offer great advice and different ways of approaching writing. Some methods work for you while others definitely don't, but don't feel like you're doing it wrong just because you're not writing the way other people are.
I'm a pantser and this makes my life difficult sometimes, but I can't plan extensively. I also love to handwrite drafts in a totally random order, and I know I'm not selling that method to anyone.
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| BUT THEY LOOK SO PREEEEEETTY!!!! |
The point is, I know I can sit down and write because something will come to me. I know I can remember the flow of my story and I'm perfectly capable of coming up with it as I go. By trusting myself and my method, I know I'll write to the best of my abilities. And by looking at blogs, I may find other people's advice can work for me too.
How do you feel about writing advice?
I love writing advice! Most of the time it's nothing I want to try myself, but it's still interesting. And sometimes I'll read about another writer's process and think, wow, that's a really good idea. And then maybe I'll try it. That's how I wound up with Scrivener - and I'm sooo happy with how Scrivener has transformed my own writing process :)
ReplyDeleteExactly!
DeleteI sooooo want to try Scrivener! One day I'll get around to it :)
Love this advice! I'm a plotter, but lately I've been trying to follow structured outlines from some craft books--and I'm not sure it's working for this WIP. I think I'll write what I want for the first draft, and use plot sheets to help with later revisions/rewrites
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteEvery WiP is different too. The method for one might not work for another.
I'm a plotter too, but I know others aren't, so the same method doesn't work for everyone. I sometimes get that moment of panic where I think I'm doing something wrong, but then I remind myself that what I've been doing all along has worked just fine. We have to do what works for us and try to ignore some of the advice that will never be our cup of tea :)
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean! I read an interview with a thriller writer who sneered at writing anywhere expect at home and his superior attitude was rather annoying! I'll write wherever I damn well please mate!
DeleteCup of tea indeed... hmmm, I think I'd best pop the kettle on!
I'm a sort of hybrid plotter/pantser these days. I only plan ahead a chapter at a time. I write, plan, write, plan, write...works for me. And that is the key, isn't it, finding out what works for each individual? Thank goodness we're all unique or we might all be churning out the same stuff. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd how dull life would be if we were all the same!
DeleteI find your method to be quite an interesting one! Sometimes I'll get an idea for a future chapter so I scribble something down... which is about as close to plotting as I get ^^;
I think any advice is great- sometimes I try it and it works, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes I know the advice will never work for me, and other times I know it will. No matter what, advice it another way to look at things.
ReplyDeleteYour comment is absolutely brilliant!
DeleteI like writing advice, because I'm curious about other writers habits, it's kind of like chatting with colleagues about work.
ReplyDeleteBut in the End it’s about Getting Things done, writers should do everything it takes to get there (The End, that is), it doesn’t really matter how.
Pretty notebooks!
It is interesting to see how others approach their work :)
DeleteAdvice is one way and one perspective on writing. What you do with the advice (from direct-follow to direct-ignore to adapt) is your choice as a writer.
ReplyDeleteAnd choice is essential to the creative process :)
DeleteI always take bits out of advice that I can use... they help keep me positive:)
ReplyDeleteGood idea!
DeleteI really like advice but don't always take it. Some people are just different, but sometimes hearing the different ideas helps me solidify and generate my own.
ReplyDeleteI agree.
DeleteRight on, woman! The more advice I hear the more I realize I just need to trust my gut. Also, I really love all your little notebooks. I don't write my drafts in them but I do write scenes and many random ideas and world-building tidbits.
ReplyDeleteI love my notebooks too ^_^ Some of them I use the same way as you, but others are drafts.
DeleteIs it bad to admit I only read the title and knew I'd love this post? You are absolutely right on!
ReplyDelete^_^ Totally a cool thing. Thanks!
DeleteI totally agree. I like hearing/reading advice, because sometimes I'll stumble on something I want to try. And then I try it, and it works or it doesn't, and I don't stress if it doesn't. There's no one right way to write, and it's so important to remember that.
ReplyDelete