Below are some of the best tips on writing that I’d found on the internet. After pacing the room, panicked and empty-headed facing countless narratives and short stories for classes, these were just what I needed to grab those assignments by the horns. I still use the advice in all my writings, including manuscripts, poetry, and short stories.. Most of these address different topics, but each are golden bits of wisdom that like me; you will probably hold on to for years. I hope you find them as helpful and relatable as I did! By the way, I’m new to the blogging game, so let me know what you think!
1. This site is FULL of amazing advice, but this particular article inspired me vastly. Written by Chuck Wendig, I think you’ll get a quick feel for the personality that is evident in his writing.
http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2011/09/14/25-ways-to-plot-plan-and-prep-your-story/
He basically lays out multiple plotting techniques, albeit in his own way, which just so happens to be full of colorful languages and raunchy similes. I think it’s great though, his own unique voice shines through clearly. I actually went through the entire list, and what I found to be helpful was to administer bits and pieces from all the listed techniques, and it pulled me out of the slump I’d found myself wallowing in for too long.
2. The next tip is from one of my favorite authors: Chuck Palahniuk. (You’ll start to think I have a thing about Chucks) I assure you, they’re both just wise and masterful in their respected crafts.
http://chuckpalahniuk.net/features/essays/13-writing-tips
“life is too precious to spend it writing tame, conventional stories to which you have no personal attachment.” I’ve seen this advice given from multiple writers, and I believe the same logic not only pertains to writing itself; but to life as well. But, I’m 25, what the hell do I know?
3. This next page is advice straight from the Lifehacker page. I wasn’t too crazy about it at first when I’d stumbled across it, as it’s got that wikihow to it, but after reading it I realized some of the points were pretty accurate and relatable to what I’d been going through. So, it’s subjective I guess.
http://lifehacker.com/how-to-stick-to-a-writing-schedule-1653234644
4. This article, written by Karen S. Wiesner, has got some of the same essential points made in #1 on my list. However, hers is done in a more of a logical (and slight less amusing) sense, and I found myself needing a little bit of both at times. Not to mention she doesn’t just stop at plotting and the sort, she goes on to talk about character development and POV specification. She has this wonderful way of breaking things down, which gives me that sense of clarity I need when these literary assignments barrel down on me.
http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/your-novel-blueprint
5. Finally, the, well… Finale. This of course applies to my assumption that you heeded the advice of these great minds, and fried your mind working up your very own manuscript. This article, written by Ashley Burroughs at thoughcatolog.com, is inadvertently about optimism.
http://thoughtcatalog.com/ashley-burroughs/2014/01/when-you-realize-that-youve-hit-rock-bottom-theres-only-one-way-to-go-and-thats-up/
A lot of authors see their finished work as their baby. And indeed it is as long a process as it is painful (OK, maybe not like giving birth) but you know what I mean. Of course it’s going to strike a foul chord in us when and if our work gets rejected. I like to think of a writer as a river, in this regard. A river will always find it’s way to the ocean, even after being dammed, the water will only rise and rise, till it overwhelms the obstacle. Onward and forward, a river always makes progress. So don’t let someone shut you down, it’s your art, and art never ceases to progress. I hope these articles helped, write on, my friends!
Lucent Minds 