Seventy-three Ways That Could Make You a Better Writer, But Probably Won't

[AuntShecky]

What do you think of these suggestions (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/21/writer-wednesday-73-ways_n_651065.html)? I don't want to be a cynic or anything, but I thought that many of these suggestions were bits of fluff, tributes to the Obvious, gimmickry, and touchy-feely psychobabble. The ones I'd dump are #8, #9, #16 ( what is she talking about? Graffiti on the walls? Dashing off a couple of haiku on a square of Tissue?), #21, #40, #43, #44, #47, #57 (same as #71-- "mindmaps?" Give me a break!), 62, 65, and #68 (which leaves a writer prey to a kind of "inside baseball" way of looking at his work, if not making him vulnerable to petty jealousies.)

The ones I most agree with #4, #7, #20, #22, #24, #30, #32, #41 and a cluster of fairly decent ones in the sixties--#60, #61, #66 and #72.

The author is wrong about #15-- "Write without distractions." (In over thirty-five years, I've never been able to blow my nose, let alone write something, without being interrupted.) Not only that, the great Red Smith, the illustrious sportswriter who pitched some writing tips of his own, maintained that a writer hasn't fully perfected his craft unless he can type out a story in a busy newsroom, with its attendant din and distractions. It is the mark of a true professional who is able to concentrate in an environment that is loudly set against it.

I strongly disagree with #39. "Keep it simple" is okay if you're writing a children's book or an interoffice memo, not so okay if you're writing literary fiction and poetry. What about irony, ambiguity, wordplay, multiple layers of meaning? Cf. Section 4 of this. (http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1007042#post1007042)

Suggestion Number #29 infuriates me. In the 1980s and early 90s, there were so many imitation Raymond Carvers and ersatz Hemingways that a sentence longer than a few words were rarer than Sasquatch sightings. The short story was endanger of becoming the bastard stepsister of the screenplay. Not only that, a recent Slate article notes that a recent book by Stanley Fish (http://www.slate.com/BLOGS/blogs/browbeat/archive/2011/01/24/stanley-fish-s-top-five-sentences.aspx?wpisrc=obinsite) lists the Top Five English Sentences, not a simple declarative sentence in the bunch. (The Slate contest, alas, is over, and contrary to what the article says, I wouldn't totally discount The Elements of Style.

By far the worst rule is #45. Do not under any circumstances tell anyone that you're "a writer." Similarly to what poet Linda Pastan said about her tombstone, one really shouldn't call himself a "writer"until the word appears next to one's name in the New York Times obituary. Another thing to remember is: don't talk about what you're writing while you're in the process of writing it.

The author of the article leaves #73 blank for the reader to fill in his or her own personal suggestion. (Gimmickry, remember?) For #73 I would put: "Avoid clichés."(I don't know why the author forgot that one. On second thought, yeah, I do.)

[YesNo]

The ones I most agree with #4, #7, #20, #22, #24, #30, #32, #41 and a cluster of fairly decent ones in the sixties--#60, #61, #66 and #72.

What does it mean to "deconstruct" something?

"66. Deconstruct and analyze books and articles you enjoy."

[AuntShecky]

What does it mean to "deconstruct" something?

"66. Deconstruct and analyze books and articles you enjoy."

I believe it means to take something apart in order to see how it was put together. It's the same as structural analysis, concentrating on the "how" rather than the "what," and it's what we do when we study literature.

[Delta40]

#27 is relative. some people produce their best under pressure. What else is a deadline for than to give you enough adrenalin and fear to get you motivated???

[Cunninglinguist]

It seems to me that if you have to be told most of these things you're not going to be an exceptional writer no matter how hard you try.

Also, tips #29-33, 39, and a few others are just nonsense, this kind of prescriptivism fetters creativity. I agree, for high caliber writers, that Tip 45 is a no-no. The reasoning probably goes, if you tell others that you're a writer, you're instilling an expectation to live up to. But if one needs this motivation in the first place, I question how much one really cares.

By far, I think the worst tip is #73. If you have to reference this list to guide you as a writer, then you're in no position to be giving any suggestions to others.

[Perandorrrr]

11. Learn a new word a day.

68. Socialize with other writers.

69. Stretch or exercise in between writing.

^Those are useful....HUFF.

[Jack of Hearts]

A certain writer has been known to Google similiar lists in his desperation.

Unfortunately, as this last month or so has proven, writing can be an ugly battle fought behind one's forehead. This poster (cannot be called writer at this point) now realizes that looking outward for a solution is almost as ridiculous as the process itself- a creature in someway at odds with itself. And you cannot win it, you just hope that one day whatever moved through you cones back. It's not a part of you, it's not yours, and it's not you- base your ego on it and watch how many times you die.




J

[AuntShecky]

A certain writer has been known to Google similiar lists in his desperation.

Unfortunately, as this last month or so has proven, writing can be an ugly battle fought behind one's forehead. This poster (cannot be called writer at this point) now realizes that looking outward for a solution is almost as ridiculous as the process itself- a creature in someway at odds with itself. And you cannot win it, you just hope that one day whatever moved through you cones back. It's not a part of you, it's not yours, and it's not you- base your ego on it and watch how many times you die.




J

This one, from the same website, has much more reasonable advice, Jack:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/14/writing-advice-rick-bass_n_808813.html

[Jack of Hearts]

Thanks as usual Auntie. It would be interesting to know your personal thoughts on writer's block, if you care to share? What's on the other side of experience?





J

[AuntShecky]

It would be interesting to know your personal thoughts on writer's block, if you care to share? What's on the other side of experience?
J

I'm not sure I'm the right person to address the problem of "writer's block," Jack, as I'm not sure I've ever experienced it. Believe me, though, I know from artistic frustration. What has been a problem all along the line was a kind of exterior rather than interior blockage, in that there have always been projects that I wanted to do, but other day-to-day responsibilities of life interfered preventing me from completing them. Most writers who haven't yet "broken through" have listened to the advice about getting a "job to fall back on," but sometimes the mundane job begins to take over and the dream of becoming a writer dries up and fades away from lack of attention.

For some folks, writing a specific work is almost obsessive-compulsive in that it is a itch that won't let up until it's scratched. On the other hand, the idea itself (and especially the literary form that it wants to take) has a life of its own and will chase you down until you tame it. If you like the term "self-expression," try to remember that
the latter is much more important than the former, and is something quite different from the cliché about a writer who has "something to say." The particular, brand-new way that something is said is where the creativity comes in.

In most cases "writer's block" is temporary in that inspiration seems to be AWOL for the time being. If that's the case, put the thoughts of writing in the back of your mind.

Stick a little notebook and a click-top pen in your pocket. Listen to music --any kind of music, classsical, jazz, bluegrass, etc. -- but make sure it's instrumental, without lyrics. Go out and take a walk or go to a mall or similar place that is conducive for "people-watching. Some exceptional writer--for some reason I think it was Henry Miller--gave some simple but elegant advice: "Keep your eyes and ears open."

Whenever you hear a good line (from life or from literature or the movies) jot it down. Same with an image that worms its way into your head. How many times have you heard a phrase or a sentence that made you think, "That would make a good title (for a poem, a story, a novel, a screenplay) someday." Jot everything down, even if it's just a word or a short phrase. Make a list and put it away for a while. When you look at your list again, you might not remember the context of most of the things you wrote down, or even why the heck you wrote it down in the first palce. But the one you do remember-- that's the one you should develop into a creative form.

There are hundreds of books of writing exercises to get the juices flowing, and a lot of them are psychobabbling, New Agey claptrap. They might help you, but you might find more inspiration by reading primary works of literature -- or a classic movie on TV!

I took off my cynical hat to respond to your question, Jack, and unlike the ambiguity that is justifiably praised in modern literature, I've tried to be "sincere" in this reply. Hope it helps.

Keep writin'.

[Jack of Hearts]

Thanks Auntie... consideration will go into what you have said while this poster tries to circumnavigate his present condition (he, for one, doesn't believe writer's block exists as anything other than an inarticulate phrase for a much deeper and varying set of conditions).




J

[drago]

I do not understand everyone's problem with calling yourself a writer whenever you write. If I play on a sports team, am I not suppose to call myself an athlete? Suppose I enjoy baking - where is the harm in calling myself a baker? It just seems rather childish that one cannot perceive someone to be a writer if they label themselves a writer. It reminds me of the people in my highschool who aren't suppose to call themselves a fashion/social label because it would make it less authentic. I certainly wouldn't want to imagine that adults would be on that same level. No, I don't think it is something that you should broadcast. But if someone were to ask me if I were a writer, I would most certainly say that I was.

On another note, I do not believe that writing all of the time makes one a better writer. If anything, I believe it dries out the writing voice - much like whenever a musician practices too much and his lips become sore and unable to form the correct notes.

[AuntShecky]

The replier above ^^^ is correct. It is not necessary for a writer to be writing all of the time. Beyond the necessarily tasks to keep one alive, any time the writer isn't busy writing he or she should be reading, while also leaving at least part of the day for observing nature and our fellow humans. cf. Henry Miller (undoubtedly one of your favorites, Sarah): "Keep your eyes and your ears open."

Yours fooly often says that writers might occasionally want to thumb through some books of writing advice, which is fine as long as it doesn't decrease the time spent reading primary sources, works of literature and poetry themselves.
In my advanced age I've learned that writing workshops are a waste of time. Hence the notorious quip from Flannery O'Connor. When some earnest student asked her if creative writing workshops "stifle" writers, she replied, "They don't stifle enough of them!"

While I'm on the subject as well as forgetting to drink my "shut up juice"(a term on heard on a cable TV news show yesterday during the time I should've been writing and reading):

The Nobel Prize winner, Sinclair Lewis, was also invited to speak at some writers' conference. Reportedly, he was an extremely tall man with a volumnious head of red hair and looked imposing standing at the rostrum on the stage. As the eager audience members couldn't take their eyes off him he said, "I understand you're writers. If that's the case, why aren't all of you at home writing?"

[xtianfriborg13]

This one, from the same website, has much more reasonable advice, Jack:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/14/writing-advice-rick-bass_n_808813.html

Thanks for the link! It really h