Aim for Perfection
Art is not a race. Nobody wins by getting something out there first.
The
work that succeeds is often not the most original. It is the work that
is finely honed to perfection before it gets released.
There's really only
one duty writers owe to themselves and their readers -
and that is to constantly strive to improve.
Ask any
seasoned writer and they'll tell you that getting better
at the craft is probably the most fulfilling aspect of
writing. Because you are effectively getting better at
communicating your ideas - and placing your world view
into the minds of others. To me this is an almost magical
concept.
So -
constant improvement - how does one achieve it? Here are
nine short tips:
1.
Read Like it's Going Out of Fashion
You've
heard it a million times before. You can't love writing
without first loving to read. Read a lot. Read
everything. Analyze writing and writers. Study what
works, what doesn't, wonder why and learn from it.
Realize too
that the published writing you see has probably been
worked and reworked over and over to appear effortless.
Don't assume professional writers get it down perfect
every time.
They don't.
Their work too has been analyzed,
edited and beaten into shape by themselves and other
editors.
2.
Study Your Own Writing
Study every
word, every sentence, every phrase. Are you maximizing
the effect of your words? Could you say the same thing a
different way?
Don't just
blindly accept your words as perfect. Professionals knows
there is always another way of stating something, setting
a scene, capturing an emotion.
Too many novice writers
fall in love with their words, refusing to accept there
might be a better way to get to what is true.
3.
Learn to Love Criticism
When we
start out, criticism hurts - big time. We've bared our
soul. We've agonized over our words and are proud of what
we've said. Off-hand comments about our work can feel
like a body slam, even an attack on our capabilities, our
character, our integrity.
But that's
not what is going on. People love to criticize - it's
human nature. Even the best writers are criticized. The
point is to learn from criticism and rise above it.
Listen to what is being said, make changes if necessary
but do it for yourself. You are the final arbiter - but
don't be blind or sulky about it. Take it all on board.
4.
Read Aloud to Others
Reading out
loud can highlight the strengths and weaknesses within
your writing. Especially in the areas of rhythm,
wordiness and dialogue. It's a great test.
Read to
friends and family, yes, but also read to other writers.
Let them make comments. Enjoy the process.
Try this.
Read a short piece to a group of friends/writers. Make
note of how your writing sounds to them. Listen to
suggestions. Make changes, read it aloud again. Keep
doing this until everyone involved thinks the writing -
every word, every phrase - is perfect.
5.
Try Different Styles
It's too
easy to get stuck in one area of expertise. If you're a
fiction buff, try writing magazine articles or
screenplays. If you're a journalist, try free-form
fiction. If you're a literary type, try writing
advertising copy. Don't limit yourself.
All types of
writing are good in their own way and experimenting with
them can teach you little tricks that help you become a
more mature, fully rounded writer.
Novice
writers tend to think they shouldn't experiment, that
somehow it might taint their art. Nothing could be
further from the truth.
6.
Take Courses, Read More Books on Writing
The process
of being taught, of exposing yourself to the ideas of
others, cannot be underestimated. Even if you disagree
with what is being said, it all helps stretch you and
give you a deeper understanding of what is good and right
for your writing.
When you
take lessons in writing, study hard, do the exercises,
listen to the feedback, act on it and write some more.
Your writing will improve the more you do it. Don't sit
and fret over your writing.
Thinking about writing is NOT writing. Just do it.
7.
Seek Out Good Advice
I often hear novice writers complain that they're learning
nothing new about writing from the various authorities
they consult. They sound disillusioned, as if perhaps there's
more pertinent information out there, somewhere, if only they could
find it.
Odd.
considering I've never met a seasoned writer who didn't love
to debate the absolute basics of word-play, grammar,
sentence structure and all the other little things that
novices seem to grow so weary of hearing - and doing nothing about!
Remember.
You can never hear good advice too many times.
8.
Give Back
Share your
knowledge. Teach what you have learned about writing to
others. Too often novice writers can feel there's some
sort of clique of professionals who don't want to talk to
them or associate with them.
We writers,
whatever our abilities, must learn to see ourselves as a
community with similar aims - to actively enhance all our
writing - to raise the bar and to act for the betterment
of all writers.
9.
Constantly Want More From Yourself
Stretch
yourself continuously. Find new ways of expressing
yourself.
Writing is
sometimes a strange past-time. A writing project that
begins like an adventure can quickly become an obsession
that ends up feeling like some self inflicted curse!
But all
writing experience is good, whether it's fun or not. Not
all of your writing is going to be fun and fulfilling.
Some of it may be a hard slog or a nuisance.
This is
okay.
If you want
to succeed in writing, it should become your life, your
passion, even your reason to be. It's a fine and noble
way of life. If you want it, embrace it, and your writing
will benefit enormously.
Best of
luck and - whatever you do -
Keep writing!
Rob Parnell
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