I hope you enjoy some of my aphorisms on writing, a number of which were published back in 2009 or 2010. Thank you for reading.
•What makes a writer succeed is writing itself.
•If money is the ultimate goal of creation, one will soon be starved for inspiration.
•Writer’s block is symptomatic of lack of imagination.
•Never confuse success with talent.
•When the creative mind is drained may just be the ideal time to stay the course.
•The word “bestseller” is used to indicate sales. What is used to gauge reader satisfaction?
•There’s no such thing as a bad review. What matters is that you got an honest reaction.
•If you’re not going to stand by all your creations, no matter what people think or say about them, then don’t expect them to stand by your crowning achievement.
•Many are reluctant to write for fear of exposing their flaws. Others put the pen in motion, unabashedly, and flourish by making mistakes.
•I’ve met many who talk about writing, but never write a thing. On the other hand, I’ve met a few prolific writers who never reveal their secret.
•If you can’t cope with setbacks and disappointments, you don’t deserve success.
•Good reviews and effective marketing will sell books for the short-term. Great writing will earn the author a lifetime of devoted readers.
•Write what pleases you, first and foremost, no matter the circumstances.
•Writing requires many capacities: passion, imagination, diligence, and vision. None of them costs a thing.
•Reading voraciously trains the brain to interpret information in a variety of ways. Writing regularly teaches the brain how to translate what the mind sees. When these two techniques merge, a writer has magic at his fingertips.
•Many write for recognition... and then fall apart when they reach the pinnacle.
•Many writers never consider the fact that their failures are still an accomplishment.
•When writers find themselves stuck (advancing the plot, searching for the right word, fleshing out the narrative, etc.), nothing helps more than taking a long walk or laughing real hard.
•The hardest thing about writing is doing it.
•I find it fascinating that enrollment in writing classes is at an all-time high, yet many get one taste of the fundamentals and quickly lose all desire.
•The secret to handling rejection is to submit again right away.
•No matter how great a writer you think you are... you’re mistaken. There’s always room for improvement.
•Good stories cannot only open minds; they can change the world, lifting spirits to new altitudes.
•Believe it or not, even the most boring story has a reader who enjoyed it.
•Flawed writing is still writing; it just needs a sharper eye and ear.
•The results of failure far exceed those of giving up.
•Aspiring writers ask professionals the secrets of motivation. Those who have to ask that question are not meant to be writers.
•Follow your dreams, not the herd.
•You will never please everyone, and trying wastes valuable energy.
•I love writing, not the “business” of writing.
•It’s better to tell an uninteresting story than no story at all.
•Sit at the keyboard and close your eyes. Think of a place you’ve only seen in your dreams. Now, take the readers there so they can enjoy it with you. Let your pen navigate the twists and turns. Submerge yourself in creation.
•Writing is freedom: freedom to be anybody, to go anywhere, to do anything, and to share it with whoever will listen.
•A writer’s work is never finished; even when the pen is idle and the keys are silent. The source of all creation lies in the imagination, and that organism is never dormant.
•If a piece of work needs tweaking, tweak it. When you’re pleased, smile. If it’s rejected, leave it alone and send it elsewhere to be judged.
•Writing is one of the few artistic endeavors in which a higher education doesn’t matter.
•Nothing reads more clumsily than an overworked story.
•Achieving fame as a writer is a wonderful reward; what you do with that reward speaks volumes.
•For no reason at all, mention the greatness of another writer and see how good it feels.
•Much unpublished work was composed by talented writers. If you ignore the stories that have no audience you may be passing up a gem.
•A worthy experiment: when you’re sad write something happy. When you’re happy write something dark and disturbing. When feeling romantic, write about a relationship falling apart—see where it takes you.
•The tortured artist stereotype gets old fast.
•Great writer does not equal great storyteller.
•The written word takes many forms: letters, songs, poems, stories, novels, plays, screenplays, TV scripts, essays. Each form requires unique skill and talent.
•Never stare at the blinking cursor. Write something—anything, or walk away before you get discouraged. Return later with a fresh mind.
•When the words aren’t coming, pick out a book and read for a while, then go right back to where you started and see what happens. Your mental gears should be primed and ready.
•If you think of writing as a privilege you’ll never take the wrong road.
•Treat every manuscript you write as though it’s your last, no matter how small, simple, or insignificant it seems.
•Purposely deviate from your outline and witness the difference.
•To those who say “I have lots of great ideas, I just can’t seem to get them on paper,” you should reply “Writing about your inability to articulate ideas is actually a fine way of becoming a writer."
•Many writers suggest that a beginner should only write about what they know. However, the beauty of writing about something foreign is to try to make the topic plausible and engaging. It is an utter waste to ignore a creative impulse, regardless of its perceived value or difficulty.
•Writers concern themselves with putting a certain number of words on paper each day. All literature is crafted in the mind and merely thinking about a story, or jotting down notes, still qualifies as part of the process, and, without it, the story cannot take shape in the first place.
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