Write On

There are a plethora of writing rules out there. Do this, do that, show don’t tell, don’t overuse exclamation points, etc etc. But, I think that there are two that need to be mentioned repeatedly, just to remind us and to inform everyone who doesn’t know already, the real secret to writing. These two rules are write and keep going.

On the outset, the rule a writer must write, is kind of a ‘duh’ moment. If a writer doesn’t write than they are no kind of writer at all. So what do I really mean by this? I can’t seriously be suggesting that the greatest secret to writing is…well, writing. Yes that is exactly what I’m saying. It’s like this, do any of you draw? Throw pottery? Try to learn another language? You may become quite good at it but if you stop for a long length of time, you lose the knack for it.

Now, I’m not saying that if you used to paint like van Gogh you’ll go back to stick figures but what I am saying is that when you get back into, say, painting, you won’t be as good as you once were. It takes time to get used to things again and to work back up to your previous level. Writing gets rusty as well. Just as the hand forgets how to form the shapes with the exact precision it once knew, the brain forgets how to place sentences just so. You lose sense of the story, the rhythm of the poem, it’s a slog to get back to bat again. To quote Inger Mewburn, author of the blog ‘The Thesis Whisperer’ “writing breeds writing.”

And it does. The more you write the easier it becomes to write and not only can you write with more ease but you’ll also improve. In order to get the best out of your ability you must practice practice practice. Try to write something every day. It doesn’t have to be on your current work in progress. It doesn’t even have to be perfect. It can be absolute crap. But don’t let fear of failure lead you to stop writing so that your mind rusts.

Of course there are the times when writing seems to be nothing but an uphill climb through sucking mud and sharp rocks. You know what you want to do. You know where the story is going but for some reason you just—can’t—get it and you’re not sure why. The emotion isn’t there. There is one small piece you are missing, like a tiny key to a gigantic lock. When I hit these times, which I inevitably do, I whine to Skulljuggler and she—being the wise woman she is, tells me to keep going. It is the best advice I’ve ever been given.

Keep going can be used in two senses. The one Skulljuggler generally means is just move on, keep writing—you might get an idea further down the line. And this is helpful and often very correct. But I like to employ another version of keep going, that is, keep going at the problem. Keep picking at it and picking at it until you can crack it open. Try every method you can think of. Holly Lisle’s "Create a Plot Clinic" has some pretty useful advice for that but you can always Google for advice, turn to friends, do guided meditation on youtube, go for a walk, do yoga, freewrite, –rest if you have to, put the problem aside if you must but only for a little while. Any nut can be cracked if you peck at it long enough.

Remember, no matter how stuck you are, no matter how desperate you are, this is your story. The answer lies within you and you can bring it out. Whatever you do, don’t give up and just keep on writing.

Spider Spin Me A Web

Spider Spin Me A Web: Lawrence Block On Writing Fiction

Spider, Spin Me a Web is an excellent writing book by mystery novelist Lawerence Block. The book is actually a compilation of articles that he wrote for Writer's Digest way back in the 1970s. I’ve never read anything by Lawrence Block other than this, not being too interested in the mystery genre as a whole, but if the writing in this book is any indication of Mr. Block’s usual style I would be highly tempted to check his fiction books out. His writing is smooth and comes off as simple though it has a surprising complexity. Also, many parts in this book are downright funny, especially when Mr. Block addresses his fictional class room.

Entertainment aside, Spider, Spin Me a Web provides excellent writing advice on everything from implementing flashbacks to finding your best time to write to living on a writer’s income. Though Mr. Block writes mysteries, this is a good book for any kind of genre writing and a great source to get a good fundamental grasp of fiction. It’s a great book for beginning writers and also a great book to keep coming back to both for inspiration and fun.

I think one of the most interesting aspects of the book is that he likens the art of crafting fiction to that of a spider spinning a web. Says he:

“If a writer of fiction is in need of a totem animal, I submit that he might do worse than consider the spider. The humble arachnid spins his web out of his own guts, makes it a work of art and a masterpiece of engineering, rests comfortably within its confines, and uses it to snare his dinner.

Even as you and I?

For where else does fiction originate? It comes from deep within, and we do not merely spew it forth. No, we construct it with art and with craft. And, if we have done our work well, it shelters us and feeds us.”

Write your guts out, Mr. Block.

What are some of your favorite writing books?