Tips and Tricks

Let me start off by saying this: I don’t profess to know much about writing. Or anything about it, really. Anyone that does is most likely bullshitting you, as well as themselves. Writing isn’t something you can ever truly know. How can you know something so massively intangible, something so perilously complex? You can’t. But, there are definitely some tips and tricks that can help when it comes time to creating work you can be proud of.

Rather than try and uncover the “secrets of writing,” I’ve gone in a different direction. Instead of looking for the answers outside, I’ve turned within. It’s taken awhile, but I’ve come to learn a few things about myself; how I work best, what motivates me, what interests me. What I need to do to be a better writer. And because I know these things, I can use them to my benefit.

Below are the three main tips I try to follow. I struggle with them, every time I turn on my computer, but still, I try, because I know they work.

1. Don’t drop that pen

Or keyboard. Not that you should hold your keyboard, but you get the picture. Sometimes all you need to do is write. Get it out on the page. Once it’s there, you can go back and edit it. Make it flowery, whatever. But you can’t do anything if it’s not there. Normally they say that showing up is half the battle. When it comes to writing, showing up is the battle.

2. Listen to criticism

I’m not going to lie – I have a very hard time with this one. It can be difficult to listen, really listen to someone when they look at your work and give you feedback. We all hate having our masterpieces torn to shreds before our eyes. But we all must realize that nothing is ever written perfectly on the first try. Or the second, or the tenth, or thirtieth. Even though you think you might have written your best piece, the very pinnacle of your life’s work, it more than likely needs some tough love. Everyone needs it. Not being able to take it when freely offered is one of the worst mistakes you can make as a writer. But sometimes it can be a little too much. Which brings me to…

3. Ultimately, you’re the author

At the end of the day, you know when to trust your gut. You’re the captain of the ship, and even though the first mate might be yelling about stormclouds on the horizon, only you can know if you need to sail through them to get to your destination. No one else can write your story for you. No one else knows it, after all. So, if someone tells you to change something, and you disagree, listen to your instincts. You’ll come to learn that they can and should be trusted.

May your path always be clear, and your step be swift. Travel well, friends.

Shorn