When you write a story, you’re telling yourself the story. When you rewrite you’re taking out all the things that are not the story.
Right with the door closed. Rewrite with the door open.
Put your desk in the corner, and every time you sit there to write, remind yourself why it isn’t in the middle of the room. Life isn’t a support-system for art. It’s the other way around.
You must not come lightly to the blank page. Be honest and tell the truth.
In your writing “toolbox,” you should have:
- Vocabulary. Write plainly and direct. Use the first word that comes to mind if it is colorful and appropriate.
- Grammar. Don’t worry about too many short sentences in a row – it worked for Hemingway. Write in the active voice.
- The road to hell is paved with adverbs (he slammed the door is better than he closed the door firmly.)
- Style. Language doesn’t always have to wear a tie and lace-up shoes.
- With practice, you can create magic.
If you want to be a good writer you must do two things: read a lot and write a lot. Turn off the TV and read everything.
If there’s no joy in it, it’s just no good. It’s all rehearsal and no playtime, that’s no good. When you find something out but you were talented, you do whatever it is until your fingers bleed or your eyes are ready to fall out of your head.
Write what you like, then imbue it with life and make it unique by blending your own personal knowledge of life, friendships, relationships, sex, and work.
If you want to be a successful writer, you must be able to describe it in a way that will cause your reader to prickle with recognition.
Editing: Two drafts and a polish. That’s it. Omit needless words. 2nd draft = 1st draft minus 10%.
Wait 6 weeks before publishing a book.
Kill your darlings. If you want to break your heart, kill your darlings. (edit out your favorite sentences/pages that don’t work for your story even if they’re great on their own)
Story always comes first. Remember you’re writing a novel, not people.
If there’s a gun on the mantel in act one, it must go off in act three.
