Why Most Advice to Writers Sucks
Posted on | April 27, 2010 | 5 Comments
Many years ago, Steve had a subscription to Writer’s Digest magazine. In almost every issue, there were articles such as:
- “10 Writing Mistakes to Avoid”
- “The 5 Top Reasons an Agent Will Reject Your Book”
- “7 Query Don’ts”
- “Why You Won’t Sell Your Manuscript”
- “The Top 10 Things You’re Doing Wrong”
- “Why You Suck as a Writer”
- “100 Reasons to Just Give It All Up and Become an Accountant Like Your Mother Told You To”
Okay, so I’m exaggerating. A little. It got so that every time Steve opened the covers of the magazine, he felt more discouraged, until he almost quit writing. He canceled his subscription instead. Wise move.
(Full disclosure, Writer’s Digest has much in it that is useful and they gave us marvelous commentary on our book Weeping Willow: Welcome to River Bend – http://www.josephcoaler.com/testimonials.html)
Much advice to writers is in the “what not to do” arena. I say, tell me what I can do. Inspire me to create. Creativity is a magical, mercurial thing, please, when you give advice, honor that magic. Open up possibilities for me. And especially, Don’t Scare Me Away From Writing! Sheesh.
And if you are a writer, look for advisers who will do all that for you. They are out there. There are people who will excite you about what creativity can do, excite you about your own potential, who pull fetters off rather than strapping you in to them. Find people who open doors rather then telling you why the doors are closed. For goodness sake, find people who encourage you.
If you are creative, you are powerful and don’t let anybody tell you otherwise. And we’re all creative.
~Geoff Hoff
Co-author of the how-to guide On Writing a Short Story.
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April 27th, 2010 @ 12:27 pm
Yes, YES, and ***YES***!
You can get so tied up in knots trying to avoid errors that you don’t know what you *should* be doing.
.-= Phila´s last blog ..Does Your Site Serve Your Visitors’ Needs?Check These Seven Telltale Signs =-.
April 27th, 2010 @ 1:59 pm
WOOOOHooo. Thank you so much! Great reframe on dealing with the deep discouragement that’s so often the result of so-called “sensible advice.” For creators looking to create what matters, your advice is right-on. There are folks like us out there, encouraging people to express their amazing gifts, not squash them.
So appreciate your insights in #blog30.
Warmly,
Bobbye Middendorf
The Write Synergies Guru
.-= Bobbye Middendorf´s last blog ..Content Plus Community Blog Challenge Post 15 =-.
April 27th, 2010 @ 8:29 pm
I’ll drink to that!
Let’s face it, Geoff, “misery loves company”.
Due to sheer human nature and what our society craves, I believe we will always see more “Don’t's”, “Mistakes to Avoid”, “What You’re Doing Wrong”, “Reasons to Give Up”, etc.
You know it and I know it – it’s for the SHOCK value! Sad as it is.
You have to rise above if you have aspirations to create – whether it be art, writing, music, drama, or a house made out of bottle caps!
Melanie
(#blog30)
.-= Melanie Kissell´s last blog ..I’m Rubber. You’re Glue. =-.
April 27th, 2010 @ 8:34 pm
OOh, a house made out of bottle caps. I like the way you think!
April 28th, 2010 @ 1:02 pm
[...] Why Most Advice to Writers Sucks “Much advice to writers is in the “what not to do” arena. I say, tell me what I can do. Inspire me to create. Creativity is a magical, mercurial thing, please, when you give advice, honor that magic. Open up possibilities for me. And especially, Don’t Scare Me Away From Writing! Sheesh.” [...]