It's not enough to simply read good books. You have to read them with an eye to how the author is crafting the story. How does he or she use dialogue tags, how often do they violate the rules of grammar and, as a reader, did that bother me? How would I tell the story differently? I've found the best practice for me is to go back and read a book that I have already enjoyed, and pay attention to how the author builds up the foundation of that story, how the exposition is presented, how characters are introduced, what kind of subtext exists within the dialogue I might have missed on the first reading. You can read a story and enjoy it without learning how to write. You have to take some time to analyze the structure of the story in all its facets to come away with an idea of how to actually write one yourself.
excellent - justfriggin write. I always have.. and yet - I get my first real edit review tomorrow at 1:30-- non fiction...touchy subject. the editor all ready said.. "Im not sure this is a first edit. " BS .. it is MY first edit.. took 3 years. its 13 ch. and in 3 parts. dang. !! im just scared of criticism! ha. get ready to get used to it> :(
The first thing I ever wrote about was the fact that my teacher was telling me I had to write and I didn't know what to write. And how, since that I had now decided to write about that, I now, technically had something to write about, I couldn't say I didn't have anything to write about and the paradox this was presenting me. I didn't use the word paradox, because this was third grade. But it's been my go to cure since.
Choosing Patrik Bateman as one's avatar produces the world's most overrated avatars that only do well because so many other non-creative writers see themselves in the character and prop the Bret Ellis book up, secretly regarding the book as partially theirs. Idolizing American Psycho is what people with no ideas, self-recognizably bad ideas or no work ethic invented to feel better about their lack of creative ambition.
I think I think better if I'm walking...I mean, haha...not just standing...walking about...though I think I might play chess better if I'm in bed, though I'm not sure...it's as if walking in such a case distracts me...so I'm not sure if I really do think better when I'm walking...
Oh, you want to be a mechanical engineer? well, just look at a bunch of bridges and build bridges. Don't worry about equations and physics. Just build bridges. ? Pretty useless advice. Writing is a craft like most crafts and there are things you need to learn and know.
Ignorant. How do you think you learn to become good at anything? By studying? No. Talent is cultivated through deep practice. Try reading a book on the subject if you don't believe me. "The Talent Code" is a good one. But, let me say that again, the road to talent goes through practice. Practice. Practice. Also, you're ignorant in the fact that mechanical engineers don't build bridges. Structural and architectural engineers design, develop, and build bridges. It's right there in the title. Mechanical. Mechanical engineers deal with things that have moving parts, things that are...well...mechanical. Which is another thing you seem ignorant to. You don't need to know any of the really complicated stuff to build a bridge. The person designing the bridge may have to know those things. But the workers actually building the bridge, don't need to know much, all they have to do is follow the instructions given by the designer. So yes, for those people to become more efficient at building bridges...they need to build bridges. The people who design the bridges to be built on the other hand, they need to understand the underlying physics. So, they probably spend a lot more time practicing their understanding of mathematics.
russell adams go look up "strawman argument". I did not say nor did I imply that you should not or would not have to EVENTUALLY build a bridge or write a story for practice. I said that by ONLY building bridges and not studying the math FIRST, you are going to take even LONGER and screw up a hell of a lot more. People go to school and university for a reason. Thinking that by getting up and writing a page or two every morning is going to cause you to learn about foreshadowing, pacing, plot twists, red herrings, et al, is simply misguided advice.
How does a child learn to talk? By listening to others talk. There's a reason why he, and every other writer that gives advice, says that you should read, a lot. Also that you should read genres that you're interested in writing in. To study these things. To learn. This isn't physics. There isn't a mathematical formula for plot twists. I mean, there probably is, but math isn't something writers put to use when writing. Neither is physics. When you go to a university to learn about writing or creative writing. Do you know what your assignments are? Lots of reading and writing. Dickens, Faulkner, Twain - none of them finished high school. All of their talents was cultivated by reading and writing, a lot. And like I said, read "The Talent Code", it talks of 3 rather famous authors, I forget their names though, all girls. Whom from a very very young age sat around with their father and wrote stories. Exercises every night. Later in their lives when they were published, if you contrast their published writing with their terrible stories as children; you'll see that they didn't just end up writing a great novel, they had been working on the ideas and pieces of that novel since they were able to hold a pen. If you want to be a great writer, you have to write, period.
russell adams I'd never tell someone that if they want to be a great guitarist, just play guitar. I'd say to take some lessons first but eventually you could teach yourself. Some people might be completely self-taught but they are not the norm and usually don't become great. And I'd consider the technical aspects a separate issue from the creative aspects and finally, the idea that you need to practice or DO what you do is kind of a foregone conclusion, I'd say. You can't be a great guitarist without playing a lot first. You just can't. But that isn't the entire picture and I would never tell someone "just listen to a lot of music and play a lot". The very existence of writing courses in universities says to me that some insights can be had that otherwise would have taken years perhaps and some time can be shaved off the learning curve. Anyway, later.
TruthSurge Obviously not familiar with the concept of the "Absent Teacher". As a writer--not yet published--myself I would go so far as to agree with the former head of the NEA and say that formal instruction in writing is harmful far more often than it is helpful. If you sit and actively think about all the things they drone on about in 99% of creative writing classes then you will most likely never get anything written at all and the stuff you do write--assuming you manage it--will be stilted and just plain bad. Read a lot, write a lot is damned good advise. Find good models and try to replicate what you like in them. All art starts as imitation. The gentleman's advice in this video is sound.
Why bother with changing the words of my comment to something less coherent, insightful and vitriolic? Or was your lack of originality a jab against the mafia of old hipsters running literary criticism, who look for all the correct collegiate formulae before they dub some impotent, predictable turd as the next great American novel? If so, I agree and appreciate your unconventional approach.
Writing about writer's block (or about writing a book in any amount of detail) produces the world's most overrated first novels that only do well because so many other failed writers see themselves in the writing and prop the book up, secretly regarding the book as partially theirs. Writer's block is what people with no ideas, self-recognizably bad ideas or no work ethic invented to feel better about their lack of production.
That's a fantastic point about writer's block-write about it to help dissolve it.
Finally, someone who makes sense. Thanks
Genius approach to overcomng writers block; confront the problem face on. Wish I had watched this video snippet years ago.
One of the less boring advisers on RUclips.
Writer's block?
Write as if you don't give any f**ks.
Fearlessly.
and be ready to edit your ass off.
So helpful. I know this but hearing someone else say it is validating and refreshing and gives me focus
It's not enough to simply read good books. You have to read them with an eye to how the author is crafting the story. How does he or she use dialogue tags, how often do they violate the rules of grammar and, as a reader, did that bother me? How would I tell the story differently? I've found the best practice for me is to go back and read a book that I have already enjoyed, and pay attention to how the author builds up the foundation of that story, how the exposition is presented, how characters are introduced, what kind of subtext exists within the dialogue I might have missed on the first reading. You can read a story and enjoy it without learning how to write. You have to take some time to analyze the structure of the story in all its facets to come away with an idea of how to actually write one yourself.
I'm glad Augusten writes books. He makes me laugh. Good interview.
You have good points
Best line of the video: "I don't believe in writer's block."
I LOVE him!
Thanks for the info bro .
Thank you. Excellent advice
Good advice! Thank you!
His gestures remind me forrest gump somehow
LOOOL. I don;t know why that made me laugh so hard. He is Gumpy a bit.
ok i need to make friends with writers, hit me up people
Being a writer myself - if your stuff is bad, I'll hate it. If it's good, I'll hate it even more! I believe Hemingway said that...
Good advice.
Thank you so much.
I like this a lot. Thank you.
Thank you this helps.
this guys is a genius
excellent - justfriggin write. I always have.. and yet - I get my first real edit review tomorrow at 1:30-- non fiction...touchy subject. the editor all ready said.. "Im not sure this is a first edit. " BS ..
it is MY first edit.. took 3 years. its 13 ch. and in 3 parts. dang. !! im just scared of criticism! ha. get ready to get used to it> :(
Why would anyone take advice from a guy you've never heard of? Henry Miller ... .John Irving ... I'm listening ...
The first thing I ever wrote about was the fact that my teacher was telling me I had to write and I didn't know what to write. And how, since that I had now decided to write about that, I now, technically had something to write about, I couldn't say I didn't have anything to write about and the paradox this was presenting me. I didn't use the word paradox, because this was third grade. But it's been my go to cure since.
Choosing Patrik Bateman as one's avatar produces the world's most overrated avatars that only do well because so many other non-creative writers see themselves in the character and prop the Bret Ellis book up, secretly regarding the book as partially theirs.
Idolizing American Psycho is what people with no ideas, self-recognizably bad ideas or no work ethic invented to feel better about their lack of creative ambition.
I think I think better if I'm walking...I mean, haha...not just standing...walking about...though I think I might play chess better if I'm in bed, though I'm not sure...it's as if walking in such a case distracts me...so I'm not sure if I really do think better when I'm walking...
I mean, thinking...not forcibly "creative"-stuff...like a math problem...
excellent
Ok, he looks alot like swain from cracked
mi piace, ha detto tutto
Find a friend who likes your writing and will give constructive editing advise.
Male friends with writers... But where are they????
Oh, you want to be a mechanical engineer? well, just look at a bunch of bridges and build bridges. Don't worry about equations and physics. Just build bridges. ? Pretty useless advice. Writing is a craft like most crafts and there are things you need to learn and know.
Ignorant. How do you think you learn to become good at anything? By studying? No. Talent is cultivated through deep practice. Try reading a book on the subject if you don't believe me. "The Talent Code" is a good one. But, let me say that again, the road to talent goes through practice. Practice. Practice.
Also, you're ignorant in the fact that mechanical engineers don't build bridges. Structural and architectural engineers design, develop, and build bridges. It's right there in the title. Mechanical. Mechanical engineers deal with things that have moving parts, things that are...well...mechanical.
Which is another thing you seem ignorant to. You don't need to know any of the really complicated stuff to build a bridge. The person designing the bridge may have to know those things. But the workers actually building the bridge, don't need to know much, all they have to do is follow the instructions given by the designer. So yes, for those people to become more efficient at building bridges...they need to build bridges. The people who design the bridges to be built on the other hand, they need to understand the underlying physics. So, they probably spend a lot more time practicing their understanding of mathematics.
russell adams go look up "strawman argument". I did not say nor did I imply that you should not or would not have to EVENTUALLY build a bridge or write a story for practice. I said that by ONLY building bridges and not studying the math FIRST, you are going to take even LONGER and screw up a hell of a lot more. People go to school and university for a reason. Thinking that by getting up and writing a page or two every morning is going to cause you to learn about foreshadowing, pacing, plot twists, red herrings, et al, is simply misguided advice.
How does a child learn to talk? By listening to others talk. There's a reason why he, and every other writer that gives advice, says that you should read, a lot. Also that you should read genres that you're interested in writing in. To study these things. To learn. This isn't physics. There isn't a mathematical formula for plot twists. I mean, there probably is, but math isn't something writers put to use when writing. Neither is physics.
When you go to a university to learn about writing or creative writing. Do you know what your assignments are? Lots of reading and writing.
Dickens, Faulkner, Twain - none of them finished high school. All of their talents was cultivated by reading and writing, a lot. And like I said, read "The Talent Code", it talks of 3 rather famous authors, I forget their names though, all girls. Whom from a very very young age sat around with their father and wrote stories. Exercises every night. Later in their lives when they were published, if you contrast their published writing with their terrible stories as children; you'll see that they didn't just end up writing a great novel, they had been working on the ideas and pieces of that novel since they were able to hold a pen.
If you want to be a great writer, you have to write, period.
russell adams I'd never tell someone that if they want to be a great guitarist, just play guitar. I'd say to take some lessons first but eventually you could teach yourself. Some people might be completely self-taught but they are not the norm and usually don't become great. And I'd consider the technical aspects a separate issue from the creative aspects and finally, the idea that you need to practice or DO what you do is kind of a foregone conclusion, I'd say. You can't be a great guitarist without playing a lot first. You just can't. But that isn't the entire picture and I would never tell someone "just listen to a lot of music and play a lot". The very existence of writing courses in universities says to me that some insights can be had that otherwise would have taken years perhaps and some time can be shaved off the learning curve. Anyway, later.
TruthSurge Obviously not familiar with the concept of the "Absent Teacher". As a writer--not yet published--myself I would go so far as to agree with the former head of the NEA and say that formal instruction in writing is harmful far more often than it is helpful. If you sit and actively think about all the things they drone on about in 99% of creative writing classes then you will most likely never get anything written at all and the stuff you do write--assuming you manage it--will be stilted and just plain bad. Read a lot, write a lot is damned good advise. Find good models and try to replicate what you like in them. All art starts as imitation. The gentleman's advice in this video is sound.
Why bother with changing the words of my comment to something less coherent, insightful and vitriolic?
Or was your lack of originality a jab against the mafia of old hipsters running literary criticism, who look for all the correct collegiate formulae before they dub some impotent, predictable turd as the next great American novel?
If so, I agree and appreciate your unconventional approach.
Writing about writer's block (or about writing a book in any amount of detail) produces the world's most overrated first novels that only do well because so many other failed writers see themselves in the writing and prop the book up, secretly regarding the book as partially theirs.
Writer's block is what people with no ideas, self-recognizably bad ideas or no work ethic invented to feel better about their lack of production.
his life must be nice, most real people have jobs, family etc. writers block, more like exhaustion block. I'm not a fan of his anyways.
Have you read his book? He's lucky he survived his adolescent years.
sorry. don't have time to read because I'm writing.
who is that lol