IWSG - 10 Tips For The Beginning Writer... A Mostly Serious List

Hey, gang! Time for another Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG) post... or as I like to call it, the We're A Hot Mess And Damned Proud Of It Support Group. (Can't really blame Alex--founder of IWSG--for not calling it the WAHMADPOISG, can we.)

Actually, the group is more about encouraging other writers by confessing our insecurities, talking about how we overcome them, and generally keeping it real. 

This month marks the two year anniversary of the IWSG, and I'm really proud to be a part of this group. For more info on the IWSG, and to learn how you can take part, click THIS.



IWSG - 10 Tips For The Beginning Writer... A Mostly Serious List

As noted, this list is only mostly serious. Like being "mostly dead", mostly serious mean it might also be partially silly and inapplicable to anyone but me.



Let's get started!

1. Being a good reader is a very important part of being a good writer.

2. Being a good reader does NOT make you a good writer.

3. You should write about what you know... then twist the hell out of it until you're convinced you know nothing about it anymore--after all, that's how most of your readers will enter into the deal.

4. Write the craziest, bravest, most devious, and over-the-top characters you can dream up. Then make them crazier, braver, even more devious, and so over-the-top your grandmother will blush at their brazenness. That's when they become unforgettable.

5. No one is ever going to give you a letter grade, stamp of approval, keys to a magical 'For Writers Only' grotto in the Alps, or any other kind confirmation that you are indeed a writer. So just think of yourself as one as soon as you type that first sentence and get on with being one.

6. Write like you have millions of fans dying to read your next story, even when you're pretty sure your dog is the only one who cares when it's done--and that's just because you'll finally take her for a walk. It'll keep you writing through the inevitable 'dark' days. 

7.  Dark days will come when you feel like you're no better a writer than you were when you started (insert number) years ago, and that you're no closer to your goals than when you hadn't started at all. It's best to embrace them, and eat a buttload of chocolate, go for a run, shop, sulk, piddle on the Internet, consider a career as grizzly bear tamer because it would be less emotionally dangerous or do whatever it is you do to cope with crappy days. 

Then, when you have a little perspective, go find a mirror, look into it, and say, "I'm a writer. Being a writer means I'm going to suck some days. It's just part of the job." Now go back to the chair and do the other parts.

8. The more you think of writing as a very cool, very necessary  and very difficult task or job that needs doing--and doing well--the easier this will be for you. Writing is not magic. Becoming a good writer does not require an altered state of being, a muse, Da Vinci-esque levels of creativity, or unicorn-horn dust. 

It DOES require patience, an inquisitive nature, being humble as it relates to your own ability, having an appreciation for getting most everything wrong before you can get it right, a dogged determination, and being willing to learn at an almost constant rate. 

9. Don't try to write like anyone else, and when you discover you are (and you will), figure out how and change it up a little so people say, "ooh, this reminds me of XYZ... but different!" Also known as the Colonel's secret recipe for voice.

10. Writing is a paradox in that it's a solitary task that can't be done alone. So make friends with other writers as quickly and as often as you can. They get you, they get this writing thing like no one else does, and they'll likely be your first and dearest fans. That's why groups like the IWSG are so important. 

What about you? Any tips  you wish someone had given you before you started your writing pursuit? 

~EJW~

Tweetables

"Being a writer means I'm going to suck some days. It's just part of the job." Click to tweet.

"write about what you know... then twist the hell out of it until you know nothing about it anymore" Click to Tweet.

"Writing is a paradox in that it's a solitary task that can't be done alone." Click to tweet. 



30 comments:

  1. "We're A Hot Mess And Damned Proud Of It Support Group" <-- Love this.

    And can I just tell you how much I love this entire list/post? I spent the entire time saying "Yep, yep, Yep. That is so true. Yep, oh yeah" and so on and so forth. Awesome, really.

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  2. Oh, my. We need to come up with a new blog hop--the 'come up with new words to match the anagram IWSG' meme. LOL Have you seen Mark Koopman's post? (*shakes head* I should have kept my boots on.)

    Seriously, EJ, great list. This post is so good, I'm tweeting it. :)

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    1. Hey... that's me up there!!!!

      Hi me! Hi Melissa! Hi E.J.! Hi E.J.'s dog :)

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    2. "WOOF"

      I'll let you guess which one of us replied. :D

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  3. I so do like the way you think! Your list reminds me of the one Minnie did awhile back. The two of you would get along very well...LOL!

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  4. And keep writing even if your dog doesn't care!

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  5. Talk less, write more. Don't worry. You have my permisson to call yourself a professional writer. Stop apologizing. Happy IWSG Birthday!

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  6. You've got it, EJ. You *have* the it factor--the perspective--I want to achieve. I really do look up to you and your vision with the whole process. You embrace it, you get it, and you're able to translate it past the page in a way that helps us. Thanks for this. Really awesome. :)

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    1. As always, you're too kind. And as always, you also rock! :)

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  7. omg I love the Hot Mess support group LOL. Truer words were never spoken. :D

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    1. I don't think the name is going to stick, J. But maybe we can create our own 'underground' club in IWSG. :)

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  8. Hahaha nicely said. Can't even think of anything to add...

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    1. A writer left with nothing to add? This must be an awesome list! :)

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  9. That being a writer isn't every parent's dream for their kid and that some people think being an author is the same as being literate or writing a shopping list. It's not. Anyway this list is amazing and while hot mess has a terrible acronym, it would be a great companion to IWSG.

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    1. That's a great addition, Sheena! So many people think all it takes to be an author/writer is simply sitting still long enough to string together thoughts. Soooo much more goes into than that, of course. Thanks so much for the great comment! :)

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  10. Absolutely awesome post. Funny and true! Once upon a time, I did think I'd get the keys to the "writer's only" retreat in the Alps. Now having been around for a while, I have a clearer perspective. I think that helps to add more fuel to the fire of my passion for it too. It helps greatly to have the IWSG for support and encouragement.

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  11. I love your list-thank you for sharing! I am a bit sad because I just ordered the unicorn horn dust-damn! Yes, it is a lonely job, but as you said it doesn't have to be! :D Thank you EJ for keeping it real and adding your own magic to inspire all of us~

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  12. Finally!

    After a day of trying to figure out what WAHMADPOISG is, I am now IN like Flynn :)

    We can be the Internet Chapter of IWSG (and so what if everyone else is on the 'net, too:)

    Cheers for a spot-on post. I'm big into lists and this one was awesome. I'm a believer :)

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  13. My wip is mostly dead. Think Miracle Max can help? I'm also a hot mess, can I join WAHMADPOISG? :D

    Love the list, EJ. I think it's also important to write the story that inspires you and keeps you up at night. (:

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  14. No. 7 is about me. I keep a stash of dark chocolate in the cupboard.

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  15. Oh the dark days. I hate them, but they're inevitable. Some days I feel like such a hack, but then someone will drop me a note and say how awesome they think my books are and I know every moment was worth it. I keep everyone of those in a folder. When dark days hit, I read them again.

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  16. No grotto? No grotto!! But...but... that's why I write! Someone promised me that grotto!
    And, gosh, what's wrong with WAHMADPOISG as a group name? We should start a petition for the new name!!

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  17. So many good bits of advice here. Thanks EJ!

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  18. Love these! Especially #3! But they're all great! I can't imagine the writing life without my writer friends.

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  19. Thanks for sharing, EJ. Love your tagline by the way!

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“Much unhappiness has come into the world because of bewilderment and things left unsaid.” ― Fyodor Dostoyevsky

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