You write gold. Except
you suck.
You will usually
describe objects (nouns) by their three most important features.
(More of a context thing.)
Passive sentences are
killed by a watchful eye (or eyes) and practice.
Being redundant is
redundant. Don't be redundant.
Readers will hate a
meaningless story more than a story full of crappy writing.
Readers don't like to
read crappy writing, unless glittering vampires are involved; and
thus the pages glitter in their own respect.
You write gold. Except
you suck.
The mark of a great
writer is one who learns the rules (guidelines), and breaks them in
such a way that the reader benefits from it (and possibly doesn't
realize the breakage).
The mark of a terrible
writer is one who doesn't learn the rules and thus has no idea how
to subtly make it seem as if they aren't broken; pissed off reader
(see 5 or 6)
Back up your writing
somehow.
The mark of someone
who shouldn't be a writer is
Don't listen to
anyone's writing advice.
Take that advice
seriously.
Finish your work.
Finish it.
Read as many stories
and/or poetry as you can.
This doesn't count.
(See 12)
Outlining is good.
Sticking to your
outline is bad.
The voices in your
head are right.
You have voices in
your head?
Finish your work.
You write gold. Except
you suck.
Don't let anyone tell
you you cannot be a writer. (See 12 and then 13)
Work with others, for
you will at the very least find out how bad you currently are; if
you're lucky you'll realize your potential and receive help getting
there.
Learn how to write a
sentence. (You need to learn how to write a sentence.)(See 4.)
Edit your work.
Listen to our Fearless
Leader.
Step out of your
comfort zone of writing. Include dragons.
Take at least two
weeks away from your completed draft before returning.
Finish your work.
(See 1)
Stay away from
cliches, unless you don't.
Learn how to
constructively critique.
Learn how to rudely
critique.
Learn how to keep your
mouth shut.
Learn how to see the
positives in a piece. There has to be at least one.
Get jealous of
superior writing and work to better yourself; odds are someone looks
up to your writing in some way.
Avoid the use of
“very”, “really”, and “just”. Also, feel free to take
out “that” if it doesn't change the meaning of the sentence.
Clarity over prose.
Tell don't show. (See
12)
Consider doing
something else with your life.
Remind yourself that
this is the thing you're best at.
Remember that you
(will) get paid to make things up.
If it's only there
because you like it, get rid of it.
If it doesn't benefit
the story, get rid of it.
Less words, same
meaning.
The use of choppy
sentences and fragments isn't always good. Sharp is better. Clarity
and power are best. (See 47.)
Come up with one more
thing to write. (See 31.)
Believe that someday
someone will read your work. Just let it be beyond your mother by
that point.
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