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I'm taking this free novel-writing course from Marian Keyes (famous Irish writer) and it's incredibly refreshing - plain, simple, humble and funny advice from a best-selling author.
For all my writer buddies, here's the link:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ6wMOCpixG/
For all my writer buddies, here's the link:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ6wMOCpixG/
She had some great points and was very clear about not knowing all the creative-writing lingo because she learned on-the-job.
I'm gonna paraphrase the advice that really stuck with me below, for those who don't have an hour to spare today.
I'm gonna paraphrase the advice that really stuck with me below, for those who don't have an hour to spare today.
1. Pretend no-one will ever read your story.
This goes especially for writers who've had good feedback because you try to re-create what people loved and that's a subtle but strong restrictive influence.
(I feel this in my soul.)
This goes especially for writers who've had good feedback because you try to re-create what people loved and that's a subtle but strong restrictive influence.
(I feel this in my soul.)
2. Know what you want when asking for feedback.
It's ok to say "At this point, I just want encouragement." This is especially important when you are new to writing or at 1st draft.
If you are confident, constructive criticism is invaluable but only ask people you trust.
It's ok to say "At this point, I just want encouragement." This is especially important when you are new to writing or at 1st draft.
If you are confident, constructive criticism is invaluable but only ask people you trust.
3. Writing is not science. You'll never really know if the decisions you make about plot or character are right - but you'll know when it feels wrong.
4. The real work starts when you no longer love your story. That's when you have to go deeper:
- who are your characters deep down?
- is your plot thin?
- who are you rooting for?
- what are you missing?
Drop down into the characters and re-write if you need to.
- who are your characters deep down?
- is your plot thin?
- who are you rooting for?
- what are you missing?
Drop down into the characters and re-write if you need to.
5. My favourite bit of advice:
Keep everything you cut from a story and tell yourself you'll use it later. You won't, but still keep it.
(My folder for things I've cut, or stories that didn't work, is called "Exegol Pit" and I think I am very clever)
Keep everything you cut from a story and tell yourself you'll use it later. You won't, but still keep it.
(My folder for things I've cut, or stories that didn't work, is called "Exegol Pit" and I think I am very clever)
Sorry for spamming you all but, if you love writing, you really should check out the link because Marian is a lovely, calm, unassuming teacher with reams of real-world experience and a completely down-to-earth attitude. 
