As with any artistic venture where nothing is definitive, creative writing has developed its own mythology. Famous writers have excellent writing advice and ideas for when you write a book, but often what they say can be daunting, growing into myths that seem insurmountable and can block you before you start. Don’t let this happen to you! Here are some “myths” of writing that are just that. Not absolute truths. Myths.
You must write 1,000 words a day. When I read that Joyce Carol Oates writes 10,000 words a day (that is NOT a typo) I just about hung it up. Don’t despair. If you even just write 500 words a few days a week (and for an example, this short article is 500 words) in a year that’s a book! Even 100 words (around the size of this paragraph) is something. The point is to connect to your writing. Before you know it, you will be writing 1,000 words, but you sure don’t have to start there. And on the days it doesn’t come…it doesn’t come. When you get in the zone, you will make up for it. Don’t stress. It will all even out.
You must write every day. In On Writing, Stephen King says he takes Christmas and his birthday off, then says well, no, he doesn’t even take that time off. Great advice? Sure, and the idea is too—make writing a habit, like brushing your teeth. But don’t let it stop you if you can only carve one session a week in your busy schedule to write. The key is whatever you do, be consistent. Just write. Every day? Would be good (great, in fact) but don’t let it be a deal-breaker. If it’s all you’ve got, a few times or once a week works, too.
Write what you know. Tell that to Ray Bradbury, J.R.R. Tolkien, Neil Gaiman, Stephen King, or any author for that matter. I don’t think Agatha Christie ever killed someone or solved a murder mystery. Where this probably began is in the advice to write authentic. In other words, write from your heart, research what you don’t know to bring your writing as close to the truth as you can. But by all means, let your imagination go where it will.
You must outline before you start. Or the opposite, you must not outline, let your muse be free. Either way is fine. Neither way is fine, too. I have a vague idea of where I’m going, but I don’t outline. So think all the way ahead (outline) or not at all ahead (seat-of-your-pants) or anywhere in between. Build your own process of writing. And don’t stick to it if something else works better!
Yes, there is some excellent advice contained within every myth, but find your own process and write your own way. Make writing fun, enjoyable, and do-able and it will enrich your life in ways you can’t yet imagine. But write on, and you will!
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://howtowriteshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/KathyColum.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Kathy Steffen is an award-winning novelist and author of the “Spirit of the River Series:” “First, There is a River,” “Jasper Mountain,” and “Theater of Illusion,” available online and in bookstores everywhere. Additionally, Kathy is also published in short fiction and pens a monthly writing column, “Between the Lines.” She writes from a log home in the woods of southwestern Wisconsin that she shares with her husband and three cats. Find out more at www.kathysteffen.com“[/author_info] [/author]
The points made here will cause people with different writing styles and backgrounds to relate. As mentioned, just try to be consistent. If the thoughts are there, you will put them on paper. Don’t allow the ‘myths’ to stop you. Nice job.
Well said and true–we are all writers getting words on paper. Thanks James 🙂
I particularly shudder at the advice to always create an outline before writing. For me, the flow is simply in my head, and once I write it into outline form the will is gone to create anything more.
I´m writing my first novel and if I had paid attention to the myths you talk about, I could never have begun to write. I began writing one night based on a dream I had had the night before. The writing flowed and soon I was writing every night. Since then the writing has taken on the form of a book. With regard to outlining, I didn´t outline at first and now when the plot gets complicated I do outline to know where I´m headed but just enough so I have the plot in the back of my mind while I write. For me the fun of writing this novel has been how the most amazing things in my subconscious come up through my characters and plot. They are carrying the action forward, not me. I agree every one of us, as do the characters in a book, think differently, are inspired by a multitude of sources, and carry out their actions in ways that are unique. It´s great for a writer to get advice that frees you up rather than sets down rules… thanks for your article!
I’m with you Kathleen! An outline is a waste of time for me. I have to just write to find my story.
Cecilia, how wonderful you found that wisdom early on. I did an outline for my first book (40 pages!) because I was told I absolutely had to do it. Then by the 2nd scene I was at least smart enough to follow the story as it went off course. I ended up with a 40 page outline of some other story! 🙂
Agreed on all of these. I tend to interpret “write what you know” as “write what you enjoy or care about” — for example, if you love reading epic fantasy but are trying to write literary fiction because you think it’s more important, you’re probably not going to be as successful (or as happy) as you’d be if you were writing what you actually like.
I particularly chafe at writers who insist you HAVE to write x number of words per day, every day, or you’re just a wannabe. Yes, you have to write at some point, but every aspect of process is individual. If you’re satisfied–at least most of the time!–with how the writing is going, then never mind how many words Ms. or Mr. Big-Name Writer can crank out every day. 🙂
Excellent points, Renee. I love it. “Write what you enjoy or care about” is a perfect motto!