I enjoy writing on my blogs, but I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. Here’s an excellent video from The Four Hour Work Week hero, Tim Ferriss. Great tips!
If you can’t see the video below, you can find it on Tim’s own Four Hour Work Week blog.
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Note: I wrote the article below last year, but thought it might be a good idea to post it here before NaNoWriMo, as it contains the “secret” to becoming a real writer.
I was sitting at a sidewalk table last week, enjoying a cup of coffee, when I overheard a group of twenty-somethings at the next table talking about the writers’ conference that was scheduled for the next weekend. The conversation turned to the art of writing.
“It just takes so long to get inspired…”
“I get stuck making the first paragraph perfect, and never get any farther.”
“I get this great idea, then the phone rings, and it’s my friend, and I end up going out and when I get back the idea is gone, and I don’t have anything to say.”
“There’s just not enough time. I get home from work, and it’s dinner, catch the news, work out, go out with friends, walk the dog, call my mom, whatever. There’s just not enough time to write.”
“When I write, I have to get my music going, light candles, make sure everything’s perfect, then I can get in the the mood, and it will all flow.”
“I can write pages and pages, and I know it’s good, so I don’t even have to go back to read it. Someday, I’m going to sit down and write a whole book.”
Anytime I hear a conversation about writing, I’m fascinated. Writing is my avocation– something I’ve done steadily since childhood, at one level or another. Although I started with some of the same ideas as the young people I overheard, I’ve since learned a few things.
If you wait for inspiration, you’ll never write anything.
If you stop to perfect the first paragraph, you’ll never get any farther.
If you don’t stop distractions, they will stop you.
If you don’t take the time to write, you’ll never be a writer. You have the same 24 hours a day that everyone else has. You choose how you’re going to spend it.
If you wait for the perfect mood, moment, and method, it’s likely that you’ll still be waiting when the undertaker arrives.
If you fall in love with your words as they spill unedited onto the page, you’ll never write well. An 1879 article from the New York Times (download in PDF) eloquently elaborates on Byron’s point that “easy writing is cursed hard reading.”
Almost anyone can learn basic writing skills; many people can learn to write well; a few will become writers. The foundation for each level of skill is not talent, but discipline. If you want to become a writer, you must do two things:
It’s that simple. Sit down and write using whatever method is at hand. Don’t wait for a new computer, a soft leather notebook, new purple pens, 27 years of backstory, full biographies for all the supporting characters, the perfect name for your main character (just use “Fred” until inspiration strikes), complete details on the historical context, or the stars to align. Just sit down and write.
When you have written, it’s time to edit and rewrite. Evaluate your prose; cut the fat; sharpen your verbs, tighten the narrative. If you have trouble evaluating your own writing, find an editor that you can trust (search the NAIWE database), and get some feedback.
If you aren’t writing, you can’t be a writer, no matter what you
If you aren’t doing it, you aren’t a writer. If you want to write, sit down and write. That’s how Jane Austen did it. That’s how Victor Hugo did it. That’s how you’ll have to do it, if you really want to be a writer.
You may or may not have the creativity, knowledge, and skills needed to become an Edith Wharton or a C.S. Lewis, but if you have self-discipline to sit down and write, whether or not conditions are perfect, you’ll grow in the skills you need to become a writer.
Once you’ve learned how to be a writer, you’ll need to learn how to be published. But that’s a subject for another day. For now, you just need to write (and so do I). And if you wonder what kind of writer would get sidetracked with soft notebooks, purple pens, and ridiculous amounts of backstory, you’re looking at her. So yes, I’m preaching to the choir!
It’s just a few more days until National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) begins. Have you signed up? I have, though I confess that I’m halfway planning to be subversive and write on the non-fiction project that is currently haunting my waking hours. Just think how much I’d get done if I wrote 1800 words a day!
However, it’s Practical Me that is suggesting that idea, and Practical Me tends to get nudged out of the way by Idea-Generating Me. I really want to start writing that mystery I’ve outlined. The characters keep shuffling in the background, pushing each other out of line, and edging forward, thinking that surely it’s their turn by now. They’re getting a bit unruly, and I’d love to let them out to play. But honestly–how practical is that?
Whatever I end up creating, I hope you’ll join me for a radical month of writing. There’s something so freeing about throwing words on paper, knowing that you can return to smooth out the wrinkles later. For those of you who struggle to silence Eddy, your inner editor, this is a perfect excuse to box him up for an entire month and ignore the screams. You’ll end up 50,000 words closer to your completed novel, and when you let out Eddy, he just might realize that you mean business when you tell him to be quiet!
If you don’t have a project in process and are going to dream up one from scratch, here are three helpful books that can help you through the process:
No Plot, No Problem: A Low-Stress, High-Velocity Guide to Writing a Novel in 30 Days by NaNoWriMo founder Chris Baty
You’ll know by the end of the month whether Baty is a genius, or well, just batty. His user-friendly little guide offers a realistic look at what it takes to write 50,000 words in 30 days, and offers helpful hints for getting it done, and a week-by-week overview of what is likely to be going on in your head as you work through the process. Unlike the authors below, Baty skips elaborate planning and advocates putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and just getting it written. If you want to “just do it,” Baty’s guide is for you.
Book in a Month: The Fool-Proof System for Writing a Novel in 30 Days by Victoria Lynn Schmidt
If you like structure and organization, Schmidt’s ring-bound system will make your heart go pitty-pat. I like the way she approaches the process, presenting how-to information, optional worksheets, and a calendar overview of what to do on each day. During normal months, it’s unlikely that you’d follow the calendar exactly– you probably have a life, after all. However, during NaNoWriMo, the calendar format is ideal. It will tell you exactly what to do with your aching fingers when you drag yourself to the keyboard on day 17. Even if you feel dry of inspiration, you’ll be able to keep writing, because the groundwork has been carefully laid, and you don’t have to be at creative peak every minute of the process (remember, Eddy’s supposed to be boxed and in the attic!).
First Draft in 30 Days: A Novel Writer’s System for Building a Complete and Cohesive Manuscript by Karen S. Wiesner
Here’s another system for the super-planner. Wiesner offers a comprehensive set of worksheets and instructions that help you create a hyper-detailed outline. Once it’s created, the writing process can be just a matter of filling in details and dialogue. If you want to use this system for NaNoWriMo, you’ll need to condense the outline-creation step in order to leave time for the actual writing.
Wiesner goes beyond the basics to provide additional worksheets for outlining your career. If you have discovered the power of setting concrete goals, you’ll find these sheets extremely valuable. I particularly like her advice on “Getting Ahead and Staying There” through use of carefully structured planning and organized writing. The only danger is in getting too busy filling in worksheets and never actually writing the story. I’m telling you now– use and enjoy the worksheets if that’s your style, but make it quick. You’ve got writing to do!
Since my first post on overnight success, I’ve discovered that it’s a well-discussed topic. Here are a few other interesting takes on the subject.
Ovenight Success stories at Crime Fiction Blog
We’ve all heard of the author who is an instant success. It’s enough to discourage anyone else who spends spare time writing, reading, writing, reading, writing in the hope of one day seeing the light of publication! Here is a collection of short narratives by over 60 authors, telling their “overnight success” stories. Some did experience almost overnight success, but others took a more leisurely path. The bottom line? They’ve all been published.
Seth Godin’s take on Overnight Success
Seth’s work is always thought-provoking, and in this post he suggests that “The goal, I think, is to be an overnight failure, but one that persists.” I have to agree!
Overnight Success in 4-1/2 Years
A story that appeared last week in The Globe and Mail (Toronto) tells the story of Peter Stebbings’ screenplay for Defendor.
Chris Brogan Takes on the Idea of Overnight Success (Part 1) (Part 2)
In two video posts (What it Takes to Be an Overnight Success and Overnight Success 2- A Call to Arms), blogger Chris Brogan assesses what goes with the idea of overnight success. He provides a clear look at what his life really looks like, makes it clear that this is what he signed up for, then challenges viewers to get in the game and make a difference for others.
Spotify Co-Founder: Notion of Overnight Success “Misleading and Harmful”
I know that the idea of overnight success can be discouraging, but in this post, Daniel Ek suggests that it can actually be harmful to a company’s chance for long-term success. Be careful what you wish for!
Guitar Hero is Another (10-Year) Overnight Success
Don Dodge shares stories of Guitar Hero and iRobot, two “overnight successes.” He points out that Guitar Hero was the 9th video game produced by Harmonix, 10 years after founding the company, and that iRobot tried 18 different business models in 12 years before reaching the iRobot.
Don’t tell the guys at 37Signals that “you can’t get there because you don’t have a huge audience already.” They’ll tell you to stop whining and get busy, because that’s what it takes!
The Long-term Downside of Overnight Success
“Easy come, easy go” is what my grandmother used to say when something happened too fast, and scholars at the Wharton School of Business have confirmed that there’s indeed something to that idea. This interesting post reports on a study that tracks the rate of adoption and abandonment of baby names, and the result suggests that the faster something becomes popular, the more quickly it’s dropped. Something to think about!
When I started thinking about this topic, I had no idea it was top-of-the-mind for so many people. There is much more to read on the topic if you like, but like me, you’d probably be better served by getting back to work and creating your own overnight success!
Overnight success? The seeds of success were planted decades ago when my favorite author of the moment wasn’t writing fast enough to suit me (I wanted a sequel to Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak). The librarian, dear Mrs. Rogers, explained that writers just couldn’t write as fast as I could read. “I’ll just write my own books,” I told her, and that spoken-aloud decision was the beginning of everything.
In my laborious little-kid longhand, I began to write. I started with stories (one of the first involved a precocious squirrel), but soon moved on to diaries, letters, and lists of more stories to write and then a little newspaper with hand-drawn illustrations (short-lived), and eventually articles, essays, and more.
The goal began as “writing what I wanted to read,” but the path became a process of doing it and teaching others to do it as well. The success I really wanted wasn’t solitary– it was success that brought others along for the journey. No matter where I’ve gone, or what my writing niche has been, my mission has included lighting lamps so that others could see more clearly as they traveled a similar path.
So maybe it’s too late to ever be an overnight success. But I’m not worried. The purpose that was planted when I was a child is still growing. There have been unexpected sprouts and blossoms along the way, and there have been seasons of drought, frost, and blight, but the roots are strong, and there are stories to tell. I’m here, I’m still moving, and authentic, creative, and abundant long-term success is where I plan to go.
I’ve traveled a lot this year to conferences and mastermind meetings, and I’ve met a lot of interesting people and learned a lot of amazing things. It’s been a transformative year in many ways, and I’ve recently received compliments on my “overnight success.”
Tip: If you ever want to see an otherwise articulate entrepreneur speechless, just compliment them on their overnight success.
I’m not a strict constructionist, but to me, “overnight” has a meaning that simply isn’t congruent with success. Whether “success” is defined as having achieved a comfortable financial level and a certain amount of visibility and standing in a chosen field or publication by a prestigious publisher, success isn’t something that happens overnight.
What does success look like?
The kind of success I’m interested in is the success that achieves balance between personal vision and professional mission. This sometimes means that visible overnight success takes longer to arrive, but when it does, it’s congruent with my deepest values. It’s that authentic, creative, and abundant vision that makes the journey worthwhile, and builds the kind of success I believe in.
First, I have to say that this is way too hard. One book? Books were my companions, friends, and greatest delight. Choosing one would be like choosing which of my children is my favorite. Not possible.
However, in the interest of being a cooperative community member, I’ll share the first favorite that I can remember. It’s a book I checked out of the library endlessly, and heard and read it so much that I pretty much had it memorized. It is Maurice Sendak’s “Where the Wild Things Are.”
I loved the monsters because they looked so funny and friendly and unmonsterlike. Somehow, I understood, even at that very young age that things that seemed like monsters weren’t always scary or unfriendly. It was comforting to me, and I just enjoyed each picture.
So… that’s my first favorite. I went on to love transformation stories of every type, from Cinderella to Under the Tuscan Sun.
Now, let the wild rumpus start!
Monday: If I were stranded alone on a deserted island with only seven books to read over the next few years, I would like to have…I’ve spent a remarkable amount of time trying to think how I’d get the maximum number of words in just seven books, but really, it comes down to content. Who and what would I want to spend my time with?Here is my list:
In addition, I’d like an enormous trunk full of blank paper and pens and other art supplies. If Robinson Crusoe could snag all the useful stuff he was able to salvage, I’m sure I’d be equally blessed!I’ve enjoyed the exercise, and look forward to reading your choices.
One of my sons is in the process of backing away from his cushy corporate job to strike out on his own. After a reflexive moment of motherly panic– what about health insurance? The 401K? The money every week whether you need it or not?– I thought, “That’s my kid.” Or not– he’s long since grown up and moved on and learned what he needed to know to make the move. Nonetheless, it’s a huge move, and it comes with a unique set of challenges.
If you’ve been contemplating a similar move, there are a few things you might want to consider before taking the plunge.
I’m always happy to see a new business launch or a new author be published. It takes courage to take the plunge, but it can pay off both financially and in lifestyle dividends. There’s nothing I appreciate more about my own freelance lifestyle than the ability to work when, where, and with whom I like. I believe that freelancing can be the best job in the world, and if you’re considering it, I wish you well!
Writers and editors, put on your party hats! It’s time to celebrate the not-so-lowly punctuation mark. We’re a little late to join the baking contest planned as part of the celebration, but there nothing stopping us from using commas, periods, apostrophes, and semi-colons to our hearts content.
Imagine a world
without punctuation a world in which wed have to guess at meanings and try to read smoothly without the aid of those handy little signals imagine how silly wed sound stumbling through Dickens or trying to skim through Hamlets soliloquy to be or not to be that is the question whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune or to take arms against a sea of troubles and by opposing end them to die to sleep no more and by a sleep to say we end the heartache and the thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to making sense of that without punctuation could be quite a nightmare especially for 10th graders if they are allowed to read Shakespeare anymore
Jeff Rubin, the founder of National Punctuation Day offers tongue-in-cheek suggestions for how to celebrate the holiday, including:
Rubin has graciously provided a page of horrifyingly funny pictures of errors spotted in public places (and instructions for how you can submit your own photos) . TIP: If you don’t find all the photos on this page hilarious, find a grammatically-correct friend to explain the joke. They’re too funny to miss!
P.S. The fact that I find these common errors funny doesn’t mean that I don’t occasionally overlook things in my own writing. It also doesn’t mean that I check incoming e-mails for typos. I’m not perfect, and I don’t expect you to be. I’m always writing under deadline, and I expect that you are too, so don’t worry about having your comments or e-mails perfectly proofread. I don’t have the time or inclination. I just like to hear from you–with or without typos!