Writing Advice by Writers
Butt in Chair. Hands on Keyboard. Or, if you prefer, BiC HoK!
Howard Tayler, author of the popular Shlock Mercenary webcomic, first drilled this into my pretty little head on the Writing Excuses podcast (more on that below).
There are other variations of this advice: It takes 10,000 hours to be good at anything. Writers need to "get down" one million bad words before they can write good ones. While you're doing all that, dip into some of the great resources out there that can help you learn more about the craft as you work on it.
BiC HoK!
- Podcasts
- Writing Excuses:
Fifteen minutes long, because you’re in a hurry, and we’re not that smart.
Brandon Sanderson (New York Times bestselling fantasy author), space opera web-cartoonist Howard Tayler , and YA/horror author Dan Wells, are sharp, focused, and witty professionals who have a lot to teach us. - I Should Be Writing:
[ISBW] is the award-winning writing podcast from Mur Lafferty. It’s a podcast for the wanna-be writer, someone who had always wanted to write but just hadn’t for… whatever reason... The show features a report on Mur keeping herself honest, talk on writing, one or more interviews with a pro writer, and feedback.
The podcast is inspirational. When Mur whispers into your earbuds that "you are allowed to suck," it seems possible to have a little cry, and then keep going. - Dead Robots Society:
The Dead Robots' Society was created by Justin Macumber in an effort to offer advice and support to other aspiring writers.
With co-hosts Ryan Stevenson and Terry Mixon, each hour-long episode explores the progress of these three friends and aspiring speculative fiction writers. Still early in their careers, this is a podcast that is perfect for those that do better learning with others, rather than being taught. Also, sometimes the banter is hilarious.
- Writing Excuses:
- Books
- On Writing by Stephen King: This semi-autobiographical little book is a gem. Whenever the question of books about writing comes up, you can be sure that someone will mention "On Writing." Read it.
- On Writing Horror - an anthology by the Horror Writers Association (HWA):
A volume of essays on the craft of horror writing, edited by Mort Castle, with contributions from dozens of well-known HWA members. An invaluable addition to any writer's library.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. It gave me a lot to think about. It is more difficult to find writing advice books that are both (a) worth reading, and (b) about the horror genre. This is one. - The Grammar Devotional: Daily Tps for Successful Writing from Grammar Girl by Mignon Fogarty: The excellent weekly podcast, Grammar Girl: Quick & Dirty Tips for Better Writing is popular for a reason. Mignon makes grammar fun to learn and, even better, her lessons stick. Subscribe to her podcast, but consider buying her book as a handy reference. There is a free excerpt you can download (as a PDF file) from the Grammar Girl website.