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Saturday, April 6, 2024 11a.m. – 3 p.m.
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, Memphis TN)
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12/22/2017

To the next generation #mfrwauthor


It's week 51. Only one more week to go in this year's challenge. Thanks for hanging in there with us. This week's topic is "What advice would you give a new writer just starting out?"

First off, while I practice "pass it along" and try to help the next generation of writers as I was helped, I don't like to give "advice" as such. Writing is just too individual an activity and our readers are just as varied.

There are books filled with advice of how to write the best seller. Sometimes the information is valuable, other times it's just common sense. It could make you rich or fill the coffers of the one who wrote the book. However, after filtering through all the advice I've given, or received, over the years, I'll just give one. For other "words of wisdom" see the other posts in the challenge.


When you start putting thoughts to paper or sit down at a keyboard, eventually there is a question you have to answer for yourself, because no one else can. Do you write for fun, to make a living, or because you “can’t not write.” The answer can help guide you to the publication method that works best for you. Today’s writers have a wide variety of paths to publications.

Listen to your muse to see where she (or he) will take your imagination. And if they talk to you, don't forget to listen to your characters.

Writing may be hard and solitary but don’t give up.  
 
~till next time, keep writing and may the muse visit you fruitfully and often. Helen


Update:
Mary McCoy-Dressel
Robin Michaela 


14 comments:

  1. Spot on advice, Helen. Never give up. Thanks for sharing. I like your "Reasons" at the top.

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    1. Sometimes it's easier to give advice than take it. The hardest to follow for me is never give up.

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  2. Persistence is critical! Good post, Helen.

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    1. when I first started writing, all you had to do was tell a good story. Next the rule became the characters had to change, to overcome something. Now, years later, I realize authors have to overcome even more than their characters.

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  3. Yes, listen to your muse and hope her whispers are of the popular variety, rather than merely 'oddball'.

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    1. Nothing wrong with odd-ball. It could become a cult following. Best luck with your sales.

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  4. Good advice. Here's hoping my muse has a Best Seller slot for me someday! :)

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    1. Hope your muse leads you to your dreams. Thanks for stopping by.

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  5. Why we write is a critical piece of our individual journey, and why we do what we do, the way we do it. Great insight.

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    1. One of the first questions I always ask when giving a lecture or class on insights into the publishing world is why do you write glad it resonated. Thanks for stopping by.

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  6. Wonderful advice. Everyone starts writing for different reasons and those reasons may change over the years. Holding on to what motivates you is important.

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    1. Excellent point that the reason someone becomes an author can change over the years. Thanks for sharing.

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