Writing Resources

I write fiction.  Occasionally fiction of some epic-ness, but mostly just fantasy fiction.  I don't do it to any renown, but I think I have done it well in the past.  Today I am going to leave you with some writing words of wisdom.  Some I pass down from writers I have and haven't met and some I learned myself.

1. Writers write.  Find the time.  It is there.  Do you have time to record something during your commute?  THEN DO IT.  Today we have more tools available to write, so do it.  Take the 5, 10 or even more minutes a day and write.  Stay up a little late, wake up a little early. Eat a sandwich from home at lunch and type in your tablet.  Writers write.  If you aren't writing you are always going to be wanting to write and never an author.  Take advantage of NaNoWriMo in November. They start prep soon so go on over and sign up now.  I will even be your writing buddy.  Look for "FluffyFox."  I will be there with tails on.

2. Research is your best friend.  Know more than you will ever need about what you are writing about so that when you do need it you know it.  More informs characters and interactions than just your imagination.  It is also what will help get  you out of a rut 9 times out of 10.  Start writing background/backdrop stuff and watch the character interactions happen.  The internet makes this easier, but don't forget that old standby-the library!

3. Use the tools that are out there.  Number one resource for me?  The Hero with a Thousand Faces  by Joseph Campbell.  This book of Jungian archetypes helps me create story from the character out.  Every. Single. Time.
Other great books include religious texts, geographical texts, myths, folklore, even fashion journals.  Find the things that are going to make your world alive, not just your characters.  There is plenty on the internet, but go above and beyond that.  If there is someone who is an expert in the field and you can speak to them, then do so.

4. Are you stuck?  READ!  Reading helps you to get back to the basics.  Be unique, but take some time to read similar works when you are stuck, if only so you don't trod the well worn path.

5. Use proofreaders. You are going to be so used to your manuscript that the words are going to bleed together, have people read your work.  Have them comb through it with the proverbial fine toothed comb.  They will find things you have missed time and again.  That plot line in chapter 5 you forgot to wrap up, the character's name changing twice, that sentence that completely changes tense...yeah you will miss that because you know what you mean.
     5.1 Use proofreaders who are not afraid of you.  Husbands/Wives and children (especially minor children) do NOT fall into this category.
     5.2 Don't give them a reason to be afraid of you.  Take constructive criticism.  You asked for it so listen to it.  You can walk away and never do anything with it, but don't snap their heads off because they dare say your baby is flawed.  Give thanks that they aren't a publisher and fix the clerical errors for sure, leave the rest if it is a part of your story...but get the honest critique and THANK them for it!

Remember you are doing what you love and love doing it.  If you don't, stop.  Writing is an exercise that is often tedious if you aren't loving it.  So don't make it tedious.  Ask questions.  Answer them. Smile. Writers are often called masochists because what we love often treats us poorly, let's see if we can kill that perception off okay?

You have been good, you get a cat photo!

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