| Re: How to write...
The most interesting thing about books on writing, to me, is how much they contradict one another's rules. One will lay down a few absolute rules and another will lay down another set that transgresses the first one's rules, and so on. One will tell you that outlining is essential, and another will tell you it hinders writing.
Mostly, I think the utility of books on writing is that they make you think about how to write and the techniques available. A good idea is to read a number of them and pick which parts make the most sense for your own way of life.
I remember reading one book (I can't remember which one) that said that one thing every writer must absolutely have is a set period of time each day set aside for writing when they can close themselves in a room and just write. Well, I have a small apartment and two very young kids. That's not going to happen. My life is too chaotic. But that doesn't mean that writing is impossible. Some people thrive on chaos. |