Common Writing Tips, Suggestions and Corrected Mistakes

[Teresa Edgerton]

Ah, Brian, you've just said so many things that I wanted to say, but couldn't find a way to say with any degree of civility.

dwndrgn, I totally agree with you about the need for a "captivating synopsis." Since so many agents and editors decide whether to keep on reading on the basis of the synopsis, it stands to reason that it better be a fabulous piece of writing -- and not just an exercise we perform because it's required of us.

[I, Brian]

Maybe I'm in a too stressed mood to express my normal diplomacy - however, I also used to very much have an attitude similar to Tim Bond, and in retrospect it was a very unhelpful attitude to have. I am arguing against my earlier follies as much as anything else.

[Paradox 99]

Originally Posted by I, Brian

Maybe I'm in a too stressed mood to express my normal diplomacy - however, I also used to very much have an attitude similar to Tim Bond, and in retrospect it was a very unhelpful attitude to have. I am arguing against my earlier follies as much as anything else.

I'm reminded of chapter 2 in Jack Bickham's "38 most common fiction writing mistakes" - "Don't consider yourself too smart".
I've heard people (who aren't even writers) pick up a book and say, "This is crap - I could write something much better than this".
I cringe when I hear this, because I'm very much aware that when I've written something that I think is great, another person may read it and think that it's laughable. I've come to realise, from the various professional advice I've seen, that if you want to make it as a successful writer, you need to have a high degree of humility where your work is concerned.

Having said that, another ingredient for success is surely the love of writing itself and the genre you're writing about. If you're writing just for money or fame, I imagine the lack of love for what you're doing would actually show up in your work.
I know that I write because I love doing it. I love the thought that someone else might look at what I've written and actually enjoy it. If I could one day get published and even make some money on it, that would be a great bonus.
Is this the right attitude to have, I wonder?

[Tenalpia]

Originally Posted by Paradox 99

you need to have a high degree of humility where your work is concerned.

...and a thick skin!

I agree with what Brian had to say - even if he was a little harsh ! Whilst I write because I love to write and I'm not going to stop writing because other people don't like it; I also know that I will not feel that I have 'arrived' until I have an audience. Until then, I am more a scribbler than a Writer. Everything that I write until then is about learning 'the craft', learning to write in a manner that compels people to read on and want more. I don't see that as compromising but 'growing'. I actually feel more insecure if I don't get any criticism (although for the sake of my not yet very thick skin, I like it to be mixed with plenty of praise...!) because I know that I still have a great deal to learn. Ultimately, in answer to Paradox 99's question: Yes, I do think that you have the right attitude! Enjoy it but take on all the (good) advice you can so that you can reach the Bonus level!