Writing Advice that Kills

Writers get lied to more than any other professional in the business world. If we had a dime for each and every differing opinion we wouldn't need to write at all. We'd all be independently wealthy. So how does one weed through the myths of yesteryear and misleading comments of well meaning professionals? There's no easy answer. But let me propose this; writers are creative and creative people create right? So how much sense does it make that as creative people we would need someone other than ourselves to create the way in which we would pursue our craft? In a nut shell, it makes no sense at all. We are individualist and loners. Advice from others is all well and good but when it comes down to deciding how we will create the only way to do so is to find our own sequence. The only way for our stories to tell themselves is through us, in our way, in our time. So let us now walk through just a small list of "should's" that we as writers hear everyday whether it be through reading some how-to book or the well meaning mentor/established writer. Hopefully this will help some new writer develop a sense of footing in the chaos we refer to as writing.

* Schedule your writing time. This is the craziest concept ever conceived. We are creative people. Developing a writing schedule clashes with the creativity of writing. Writers are inspired. Attempting to write when you don't feel inspired will at most net you an extremely forced, ineffective piece of work. Instead as you write pay attention to the times when you feel more inspired then others. Personally I work better in the mornings and I allow for that by not scheduling life in the AM hours. Your creative self will decide the best time for you to write. Follow your inner guide and you won't go wrong.

* Write what you know. How incredibly limiting. What it should say is "know what you write". As writers we have the unique opportunity to become experts in many different fields. If something interests you personally researching the subject and then writing an article or a series of articles can be both fun and educational. The trick is to be interested enough to put the research into the subject at hand. Don't write only what you know but know about the subjects you desire to write about.

* Take every writing class you can. This would be wonderful if you're independently wealthy. In reality most writers are holding down a job as well as writing. If you have the time and desire, take a class. But don't feel pressured into doing so because so how-to book suggested that it's the only way to become a better writer. The only way to truly become a better writer is to write.

* Write only for "Pay on acceptance". In this line of work every penny counts. Sure it's nice to be able to get that check in the mail as soon as a publisher says I like it but realistically not many publications do that, especially those that are easily approached by new writers. Consider first those publications that will pay on acceptance. However, if your piece just can't find a home in those high demand publications send it out to the pay on publication publishers. Money is money. Whether it be now or a year from now, at least your piece will find a home.

It's easy for a successful writer to give advice like this because he/she is already getting paid. Heck, they got paid to write that very article that gave you all that great advice. It's difficult to make it as a freelance writer and those of us who trudge through it everyday have learned that everyone, including your next door neighbor has advice. The key is to wade through it, try this and try that and do what works for you. After all we are writers, loners, individualist, creative.