Advice to Writers from Top Writers

Introduction: Advice to Writers from Top Writers

Although the Creative Writing course that I took as a part of my informal liberal arts education was not what I expected, there were several pieces of advice that I found useful. After listening to the first session, I abandoned the course, but my instincts kept on telling me to return to it so I listened. Taking courses as a part of my informal learning has stretched my beliefs regarding what a course is supposed to be. The creative writing course consists of videos and audios of top authors and poets distilling their wisdom into segments of eight to eighteen minutes. If you took the Creative Writing course, I can guarantee that you would extract different tips from the ones that I am presenting today.

Advice to Writers

Use short sentences to speed up your story and long ones to slow it down. John Irving

Picture your story in mind and have a composite. Have a goal in mind and know the end. John Updike

Writing a novel is like constructing a house, you need structural integrity. You have to know what the book is about and what you are trying to achieve. Arthur Golden

Information does not replace illumination. Nadine Gordimer (My review of July’s People by Nadine Gordimer)

Get to the real story. It’s not about the truth, it’s about the story. Everyone tells the story differently. Move sideways and stay open to the changes that are happening to you. Nora Ephron (My review of Heartburn by Nora Ephron)

A writer is an inventor of other worlds. Gore Vidal

What do you need to be better? Do not repeat yourself. Set the bar higher each time. Toni Morrison

Never write anything that another person has written, or what you have written before. Everything happens once – you were born once! WS Mervin

If you are not doing only what you can do, you will find yourself being miserable. Link your imagination and compassion for the things that you care about. WS Mervin

Define yourself and do not allow others to define you. N Scott Momaday

The reward is the knowledge of training others. Wole Soyinka

Those who excel, stand on the shoulders of giants.

1. Entertain your far out ideas.
2. When you get an award, you have been called to be kinder and more compassionate in the world.
3. Question authority.
4. Do not worry about being cool.
5. Practice radical inclusion.
6. Each one teach one.
7. Lift others up.
8. Enjoy the trip.

Suzan Lori Parks

You need a good title, good cover, and a powerful first sentence for your book. Alexander McCall Smith

The goals of intentionality are important. Be clear about what you intend to do – what you are trying to accomplish. So set goals, have an intention, and talk to your “elephant”. Michael Crichton

As a writer, you have to be able to take criticisms, and you have to commit to being a writer. Sue Grafton

Find joy in life and only do what you want to do. Khaleed Hosseini

Some of the advice offered by top writers are not only for writers, they apply to other crafts and specialties.

 Beloved Heartburn July's People Aké: The Years of Childhood House Made of Dawn