I tell would-be writers that there are three things to forget about. First, talent. I used to worry that I had no talent, and it compelled me to work harder. Second, inspiration. Habit will serve you a lot better. And third, imagination. Don’t worry, you have it. — Octavia Butler
Discuss!
So agree. With a ton of ‘want to’ and double that in sweat equity, I believe any avid reader can become an author. We take in so much about storytelling subliminally when we read.
Of course, being able to transfer that to the page is where the sweat equity comes in.
In my opinion the three things you should sweat over are
Learn how people behave in the real world
Master storytelling
Learn grammar.
By the way, these three jobs are never finished.
Forget about comparing yourself to other authors. There will always be someone who is better, has more sales, and has a bigger following.
Forget about angst over readers who point out the two typos that were missed after six of your edits, two pass throughs from your editor, and a final read through of the galleys.
Forget about feeling devastated when you still get a rejection. Obviously those plebeians do not recognize your immense talent.
Hear, hear! Excellent advice.
Forget about perfection.
I’ve spent many years stirving for prefection.
I’m just happy to write.
It keeps me sane-ish.
Excellent reminder from the late, great Octavia Butler. Thanks, Jim!
Thanks for stopping by, Meg.
I believe talent in writing exists but all it does is influence your starting point. A talented writer may begin at Level 4/10 whereas a lesser talent might begin at Level 1/10 — the lesser talent, through effort and practice and learning, may wind up achieving Level 9/10 whereas the lazy talented person may never surpass Level 4.
Very good point. Think Pete Rose (the baseball part, not the gambling part)
I’m a Phillies fan, so I’ll allow this.
Of those 3 the most lethal is waiting for inspiration. Good luck with that.
The most critically important piece of advice I’d give to any creative person is to MAKE time each week (however they have to schedule it) to pursue their writing, painting or whatever creative outlet they have. The work and the chores and the other dull things of life will devour every second of your life if you don’t. I’d rather have an hour a week for creativity than no time at all.
“Many a little makes a mickle.”
Wise advice.
Habit goes hand in hand with persistence. Keep writing and never give up.
Good morning, Jim!
Someone recommended your Plot & Structure to me when I began my first novel. I think the Introduction in that book should be required reading in every creative writing class because it puts an end to the notion that you have to be born with the talent in order to become a good writer.
Thanks, Kay. I’ve gotten so much positive feedback on that opening over the years.
Wise words from the great Octavia Butler, and similar wisdom in the above comments.
Habit leads to inspiration. Get to work, regularly, and the muse will show up, regularly.
Write what you care about. Passion and engagement are key to a powerful story, and they start with you, the writer.
Learn and practice the craft of fiction of writing. This is the key to improvement as a writer.
So agree with all that’s been said. I want to add–never quit studying the craft.
As a writing teacher and judge of unpublished writer contests who has read thousands of manuscripts, I have to disagree with everything Butler said. Craft can be taught, but talent, imagination, and inspiration must already be there. Compare it to sports. No amount of practice, etc., can turn most people into Kobe Bryant or Tom Brady. Either you’ve got it, or you don’t.
See Philip’s comment, above. I went to high school with a guy whose talent we were all in awe of. But he never went on to do much with it. I wasn’t in his league, but I worked my way up to the majors.
I’d put it this way:
If talent, imagination, and inspiration are there, craft can be bought. Editors and proofers can be hired.
Nothing improves writing like writing.
I have a cartoon pasted to my monitor that shows a stick figure sitting at a computer. Behind him is another figure with a gun aimed at the back of his head. It reads, “Just write the damned thing.”