Writers' Advice on Writing [Article] As with so many of my posts, this one is inspired by an article I read. In this case, the article shares advice on writing from famous writers. I don’t know about anyone else, but what I find most valuable about advice from other writers isn’t necessarily the advice itself (although it’s often helpful) but the chance to bond over writing, and to affirm that I’m doing something right. Whether you enjoy the advice, the bonding, or the affirmations, here are some of the best tips from other writers, as well as a couple of my own… Get a Cat (Muriel Spark via her character Mrs. As someone with three cats, I can’t argue with this advice 🙂 Cats are a source of joy, laughter, and purrs (and my lap cat makes sure I sit and focus). Stop While the Going Is Good (Ernest Hemingway) Stop while you’re on a roll and let your subconscious keep working on it until you start again. Writing Anything Is Better than Nothing (Katherine Mansfield) Just write.
Some advice of my own: Take up needlepoint. Cheers, Short answer: not really. But it also depends on what you want out of it. If you spend any time around the internet, you’re bound to come across at least one headline declaring that blogging is dead (those headlines have been around for years at this point). As a writer and long-time blogger (you may have seen my other blogs, Blood Lines and Whimsy Bower)*, this causes me some anxiety. But is there any truth to the rumours? *[11/25 Update: After a too-long hiatus, I’ve recently updated and revived Whimsy Bower! Feel free to check it out. From my research on the topic, if your aim is to earn a living solely from traditional blogging (that is, written articles on specific topics), you might want to hang on to your day job. On the other hand, if you’re a writer who wants to share your work (and maybe market your books while you’re at it), carry on. If you’re concerned your blog isn’t getting as much of an audience as it should, you can do a few things to help: Promote it on social media.
Another tag snagged from the lovely blog A.M. Molvik’s Ramblings If you’ve ever wondered about what it’s like to be a writer (or what I do), this post is for you. 1. What type of writing do you do? Over the years I’ve written pretty much everything, from magazine articles to poetry to blog posts to novels. If I had to choose only one type, though, it would be novels. I have a lot of stories inside me, waiting to come to life. 2. My writing is a mix of literary fiction, gothic fiction, and fantasy, with hints of horror and magical realism. 3.
I started when I was about six and never really stopped (although there were a few long breaks). 4. Yes! 5. The first story I wrote (when I was around six) was a tale of woe about a flower that doomed anyone (in this case, Mary, Queen of Scots, although I have no idea how I knew about her) who picked it. 6. I don’t feel I have much of a choice. 7. You find time for the things that are important to you. 8. 9. 10. Silence. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 19. §. The Sexism that Writers Endure. From the start, women writers have had to endure an unending slew of sexist attitudes and commentary. Pick a writer and she’ll tell you about comments claiming women aren’t serious writers, that they don’t write “important” works, and aren’t worthy of awards or acclaim.
Women writers can tell you about how there is a constant assumption that they must write romance or “chick lit,” that they don’t write anything a man would want to read, that they can’t write certain genres, or that women’s fiction is fluffy and sentimental. We can tell you about how we’re questioned in a way male authors never are about work-life balance, how we can possibly work and take care of our children and homes and partners. The list goes on. And when we dare complain about any of it, we’re accused of being “whiny” and “privileged.” On this International Women’s Day, I’m sharing a few of the sexist remarks said to, or of, women authors: Sci-fi author Gérard Klein about Ursula K. Author V.S. N.S. Find Out More: Women in Writing. A recent article in Bustle shares research from a new study showing female representation in fiction was better in the Victorian era than now. My instant reaction was disbelief, but as I thought about it, it’s not really that surprising.
Based on my own (highly unscientific) experiences and observations, I’ve noticed that: Publishing jobs tend to be low paying, are overwhelmingly held by women–and the women still almost always get paid less than the men in equivalent positions (more here). (Here’s the most recent data, compiled in 2023.) Female writers tend to be taken less seriously than men, and their careers suffer for it. Don’t believe me? On this International Women’s Day, I hope everyone will spare some time to think about the difficulties– past and present– faced by women everywhere, and more importantly, to do something about it. Please support my work: download my books (links below)! Cheers, Aspasía S. Get My Books Love Lies Bleeding NEW Bleeding Heart *Blood Magic *Tooth & Claw. Literary Cafes. Thanks to a few well-known tipplers (coughHemingwaycough), writers have something of a reputation for indulging. Though that may be more stereotype than reality, over the years certain bars and cafés have become linked with the literary crowd who’ve gone there to eat, drink, socialize, and occasionally write.
Inspired by a recent LitHub article featuring 35 Literary Cafés. I thought I’d share a couple of them here, as well as adding some the list missed. Although not as well-known as the others on the list, here are some local-ish spots this Toronto writer thinks are worth a mention: Writers unknown, famous, and infamous have always populated cafés and bars all over the world. Comment and tell me which ones you think deserve a mention. (By the way, time is running out to enter my giveaway–you have only until the end of the of the month to take part for a chance to win a paperback copy of my dark fantasy novel Love Lies Bleeding. Missed the giveaway? Love Lies Bleeding Bleeding Heart Cheers, When Publishers Pass You By. When I was younger and just beginning to realize that I wanted a future as a writer, I had starry-eyed notions of a major publisher recognizing my talent and jumping to offer me a contract (with a generous advance, of course).
Yeah, not so much. Instead I have a pile of rejection letters, mostly of the form variety, some with encouraging words about how my writing is good (just not quite right for them). I had to learn the hard way that being a good writer isn’t enough to get published. In fact, sometimes you don’t even have to be able to write at all as long as you have a big enough name to guarantee sales. Depressing doesn’t even begin to cover it. An article in the Washington Post shares how Madeleine L’Engle and other well-known authors have suffered rejection over their careers.
Like L’Engle, stick to your vision. Like J.K. Like Beatrix Potter, do it yourself. Whatever you do, don’t let rejections get to you. How do you deal with professional rejection? Love Lies Bleeding Cheers, This is where you’ll find a random assortment of things that amuse me (and that I hope you’ll also enjoy). Check back often (newest posts are at the top of the page)! Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” done Medieval style… One library offers “anti-staff picks”–books the librarians hate: Happy Squirrel Appreciation Day! Thank your local fluffy-tailed rodents for all they do to expand plant ecosystems and regenerate forests Thank your local cats… Have you seen real life lately?
Happy Nikola Tesla Day! Haiku 5 by Aspasía S. Wasp inside my house Your presence is disturbing Cold, you lie in wait Ride the bike, knit a scarf… Cyclo Knitter by George Barratt-Jones from George Barratt-Jones on Vimeo. Cutest Weeping Angel ever… This woman is magic… Anyone who says animals aren’t smart can just duck off (cute video + terrible pun = my gift to you)… Haiku 4 by Aspasía S. The plane carried me, I thought, to concrete and steel But I found magic Haiku 3 by Aspasía S. Male cardinal chirps Female cardinal echoes Lying in my bed. Literary Cafes.