Welcome to Part 3 of my review of Dawn
Field’s “How to Fail as a Writer” blog and why you should do the opposite to WIN as a writer.
1. Do not ever read for other writers. Critiquing will just cloud your
mind and take your focus off your own work.
This is so not true. I have been
running a writers’ critique group for almost 10 years and we enjoy reading each
other’s work. I find that constructive criticism only makes my writing better through
their feedback. And nothing beats having your work polished to the best that it
can be.
2. If an editor critiques your writing, stick to your guns that it’s his
fault he didn’t understand “what you really meant.”
Sometimes a third party (an editor)
pointing out what’s wrong with your storyline can be a very hard pill to
swallow. But the good thing is that they are objective and will make your work
so much better once you get over the fact that as writer’s we don’t always know
it all.
3. If a reader gives you feedback that something in the plot seems to be
missing, ignore her. Better yet, prove it’s “all there” by pointing to page
224, where three words in the middle of a paragraph at the end of the chapter
“explain it all.”
Readers can be very astute so as a
writer you have to ensure that the plotline overs all the bases and explains
the character’s motivation, etc. So instead of dismissing the reader’s
feedback, writers should see how best they can address the reader’s concerns.
4. Never back up the electronic copy of your work. It’s good for your
creative juices to be in constant fear of losing your book beyond the event
horizon of the cyber black hole.
This is laughable. Without a doubt
PLEASE do save your work.
5. Forget the idea of practicing any kind of writing other than your book.
It’s just a distraction.
It’s not a distraction when you can
flex your creative muscles while engaging in other types of writing other than
your book. As for me, I enjoy blogging and writing book reviews. So, go ahead
and flex those muscles.
6. Do not stoop so low as to take the advice of writers who have walked
the path before you. You need to find your own path in your own way.
I know we all have to find our own
path but why reinvent the wheel when embarking on the writing journey. If there
are writers who have experienced the ups and downs of the writing industry, I
think it would behoove writers not to take a few lessons from them.
7. Never show your writing to anyone.
That’s the worst thing a writer can
do. You have to show and share your writing to get feedback to ensure you are
on the right track in keeping readers engage. As I have said before, I run a
writers’ critique group and I really enjoy sharing my work with the members and
welcome their feedback too.
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