Wednesday, November 04, 2015

Things I've learned about writing

The more I learn about writing, the more I realize I don't know squat. But this much I know for sure:

1. You have to write often.
I write daily whether I have anything to say or not. But writing is like walking, lifting weights, or playing an instrument. You don't get better by osmosis...you have to put in the reps.

2. You can write about any subject if you do it well. It's good if you can throw in a surprise or two. Most of you already know this and do it without thinking, but it's important.

3. You can lose most of the adverbs in your writing by using stronger verbs. 
"He walked very fast" is one way to say something, but "he darted" is better.

4. Any time you touch the heart you touch the reader.

5. Humor, when done well, keeps the reader reading.

6. Do what you love and love what you do. If you don't enjoy writing, you should learn how to knit, play golf, or toss a pig.

Now, this is all I'm going to say about this.






18 comments:

  1. I like what you said about if a person doesn't like to write they need to learn to do something else. I used to write daily but I've had less time, however; I have a need to write even if I don't publish it ;-)

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  2. As an editor, I push authors to use fewer but stronger words. You are an excellent writer. Franklin feels better today. Penelope chews on a toy in her spot behind my chair

    Love,
    Janie

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  3. I'll stick with writing and maybe knitting from time to time. Golfing and pig-tossing don't interest me at all....

    Ms Soup

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  4. The number one thing I've learned about writing is that it is easy for me to write what I'm passionate about.
    The other thing I try to do is imagine all the various ways a statement I write can be misunderstood. That helps me eliminate ambiguity. If I can eliminate ambiguity and still keep it concise, I feel triumphant.
    When I'm describing the visual aspects of something, I try not to assume the reader is already visualizing what I'm seeing.
    I thoroughly enjoy writing on my own schedule. If I feel pressured to write, that dries up my creative juices.

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  5. I can tell you do enjoy what you do ! It does seem the more I learn the less I know. Hope you have a great day and remember to smile a lot ! Humor is good for the soul.

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  6. Writing is an art and you are right, and those are all good points to remember but I doubt I'll ever learn how to toss a pig, hahaha.
    Love that artsy photo.
    JB

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  7. Hi I do write everyday, I journal. But I do am for touching the heart. You have encouraged me many times in my writing. But as you mentioned I feel like I have nothing to say, my hubby would say that was an impossibility. .. Roxy

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  8. I don't expect to be a great writer, but I would like to be. I take any advice I can see, hear or read. I was visiting a new friend, the same name as mine, Jack Darnell He took me into his storage room..There were racks and racks of note books he had filled, Temp and weather for every day from mid 1950's until the day I visited. Stories he had 'made up'. A publisher had taken him on and published for him. She had added an H. to his name H Jack DArnell to keep us separate. jack said, "I'd write if no one read it." Although we are no kin, I feel the same, but I am not as diligent.
    Thanks for the advice.

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  9. You've learned a lot.
    Great advice and thanks for passing it on. : )

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  10. Anonymous12:14 PM

    Writing my blog & reading yours are two of the things I'm passionate about!!

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  11. Anonymous12:15 PM

    P.S. Your photo looks like a Christmas card!!

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  12. I find pig tossing (eating bacon) easier and more enjoyable than writing.

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  13. Great advice and so true. I have been known to toss a few pigs in my time

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  14. You said it well. All are points to keep in mind when writing.

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  15. These are great points Rick but....'suddenly' IS an adverb!!! Do you mean you can replace an adverbial phrase with an adverb? (which is what you did there!)

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  16. Now you've got me thinking about writing about pig tossing.

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  17. Toss a pig?! Now that's funny! I was "darting" to my hair appointment last week and passed a man washing his car and he had a big pig following him around like a dog. All I could think of was I hope didn't have plans to make bacon with that faithful pet! True story..I swear!

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