By Kristy McCaffrey
As a writer, I always appreciate advice from other authors.
But when I’m asked for my own writing tips, I glance over my shoulder, because
surely there’s a famous author standing behind me. Still, there are a few bits
of advice I can offer.
Surround yourself with people better than you.
This is how you’ll improve. And you can always improve.
Network
Friends make the world a sweeter place. Friends can give you
endless ideas about how to move forward in your career. And, finally, to get
support, you must give support. Read your friend’s books. You’ll learn much.
Trust your instincts and intuition.
Follow your creative impulses—they’ll always be right and
true. But be more business-like and discerning during the editing process and
the subsequent marketing of a book. Don’t crumble at the first sign of
criticism.
Learn the craft.
This will be an ongoing process that never ends. You’ll make
mistakes. Learn from them and move on.
The 80% Rule
If a story is 80% good enough, I send it off to the editor.
With good editing, I strive to bring it up to 95%. It’s impossible to reach
perfection, so stop tweaking and release your creation to the world.
Be authentic.
As an author, as a writer, and as a person. You are your writing. At the same time,
your job is to be as invisible as possible within the work itself. Dig into
your characters and plot. Embrace research.
Follow your own path.
Your journey won’t look like anyone else’s, so don’t compare
yourself to another author.
Have fun.
If playing with words and stories wasn’t buried deep in your
bones, you wouldn’t be doing it in the first place. There are no limitations,
really, so don’t place any on yourself.
Be humble. Be curious. Be grateful.
Kristy, all great pieces of advice. I think people are too hard on themselves, for the most part. We all want to do the very best job we can with our writing, but beating yourself over the head time and again is not a good thing for anyone to do. I have to admit, I'm not really "competitive"--I think there is room at the table for everyone--it's up to readers to choose who/what they're going to read. Maybe that's why I've relieved a lot of my own stress--this is something we truly do not have that much control over. "Do your best, leave the rest; Angels do no more." That was a little piece of embroidery I made for both my sisters many years ago, and I've always remembered it. My favorite piece of advice is to surround yourself with friends. You will learn more from friends than you will from a lot of the writing books that are out there! Great post!
ReplyDeleteCheryl--I agree. There's room for everyone. We all have different styles and perspectives, and that's such a great thing. And I like surrounding yourself with friends. That would be an addendum to my list!! And while I love writing books, and certainly have read and do read my fair share, nothing can really replace 'doing' the work and learning what your own strength and weaknesses are.
DeleteWhat I meant to say was *I love reading books about writing* -- I guess I should also add to my list -- you gotta love editing lol.
DeleteNever look over your shoulder for a better writer, Kristy. I love your work.
ReplyDeleteThis is some of the best advice I've ever seen. I've experienced so many of these dilemmas in my career.
I agree with you about reading the work of your friends and surrounding yourself with authors that are better than you. I learn from my friends how to write better and how to take a challenge and improve my own work.
Ever find yourself editing the work of others as you read? It's like we just can't help it, but it helps us identify things in our own writing that needs work. When I read the work of authors who are established and I admire I see the things in their writing that makes them so great and I want that, too. But it's my friends who make me want to reach higher and who help me improve my work.
I had to chuckle a bit about the part where you said to turn it in when you are 85% happy with it. There just comes a time when another set of eyes need to take a look at it. I have never been 100% happy with anything I've ever written.
This was an excellent post, Kristy. I feel better having read it.
Thank you for your kind words, Sarah. You're an excellent writer as well, but we're always our own harshest critic. It's important to keep reading the work of others and to analyze it because I agree, it helps your own writing.
DeleteThank you Kristy, I needed to hear this. Now, to take them to heart. Doris
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Doris. Keep on truckin'!
DeleteGreat tips, Kirsty. And the 80% rule is so very true. Otherwise no books would ever get published.
ReplyDeleteThe tip I would give to authors is to not allow workshops, how-to books, and other authors to take your voice by their do's and don'ts. Imagine if Mark Twain's stories read like Shakespeare.
Livia,
DeleteI can't take credit for the 80% -- I read it somewhere else, but it's a good rule of thumb. And I agree about voice, and that goes hand in hand with surrounding yourself with people who will push you and give you constructive feedback versus those who won't.
Wonderful writers' tips, Kristy. I'm glad you mentioned the 80% rule. I'll quit striving for peak perfection before submitting. Lol. I would like to add one more tip, if I may. "Surround yourself with encouragers and avoid Dream Stealers--those who tell you you'll never make it as a writer.
ReplyDeleteLaurean--I agree. We must take care who we let into our creative process, because at times it can be very fragile as we're molding a new project. Thanks for stopping by!
Deletei loved reading your blog, Kristy, and the comments which complemented your tips. I especially agree with Livia's comment about Mark Twain/Shakespeare. And we definitely need to be surrounded by supportive family and friends and ignore the naysayers. It's a funny thing about human nature....one can get fifty great reviews, but it's that one negative one that we focus on. One must believe in oneself always.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth,
DeleteYes, the negatives can cut much deeper than the positives can lift us up. Acknowledging that we're fallible but always striving to improve has helped me get past those 'mistakes' along the way. :-)
All good advice! So much of it boils down to respecting and honoring yourself and your own unique style: not comparing to others, trusting your instincts, etc. Writing is such an odd thing to do which we mainly accomplish solo so you have to be comfortable and confident with yourself because generally we don't have anyone monitoring our work or giving us feedback. Great post, Kristy! Keep on writing!
ReplyDeletePatti,
DeleteIt really is a strange thing we do, because our work is so solitary and then it's so public and intimate with the reader. It takes some practice on our part to get comfortable with this. Keep on keep on!!
All great tips. I've yet to get anywhere near 85% satisfaction. I take great solace from the point you make about nothing being perfect.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the tips, Kristy. I know if it wasn't for the fact that I can get lost in the lives of my characters, I'd be almost unable to handle what is going on in my own life. If it weren't for the support of my writing friends, both in person and on line, I'd probably cave in. As for the 80 percent rule, I try to apply that.e I had a writer once tell me, your manuscript is like a sore. If you keep picking at the scab, you can easily make it worst than better. Thanks for posting.
ReplyDelete